Hi everyone! I'm new here. I am considering a vaginal hysterectomy due to excess bleeding. I bleed for about 3 weeks out of the month. Some is light to moderate spotting. The doctors have tried other treatments but none have worked. I'm 33 and have 2 children. We don't want any more children but it is still a hard decision. I am just tired of never knowing when it's going to start, always having new underwear because a pantyliner didn't work well enough. It makes me grouchy and you can just guess how my sex life is. Any advice? Thanks so much!

Not to make light of your symptoms, but that doesn't sound all that bad, certainly not enough to warrant a hysterectomy, at least. It sounds more annoying than life threatening.

Do you know what is causing the bleeding?

That's my problem....my symptoms aren't life-threatening but who wants to bleed 3 weeks out of the month? It makes me so unhappy, tired, and crabby. I know for sure I'd be a better wife if I didn't have these problems. I'm so confused!

Hi Clay

Symptoms can vary widely and what seems trivial to some is quite an ordeal for others. The problems we women endure often start as small annoyances but then lead to a downward spiral resulting in poor quality of life. It is good that you are trying to manage your life to improve it.

Thisby is right to ask why you are bleeding. There may be a relatively simple amswer out there for you. Many women find a lot of help through bcp, iud (mirena coil), ablation to uterus and this is a lot less traumatic and final than a hysterectomy so should best be tried first as they are a lot less invasive.

If you have trouble convincing any of your docs that you have a problem, then its a good idea to keep a diary chart to show which days you blleed, how much (number of liners and whether they are stained fully or half) and whether you have any other symptoms like bloating, headaches, pain etc. also note how you are feeling (fine, happy, tearfull etc). Do this for a couple of months or so to see if it is following a similar pattern through a few cycles and then present the evidence to your doc. It will show them that you are being proactive in managing your health and also that you want to be taken seriously and not fobbed off.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

regards
ktee

I totally agree with ktee. Your quality of life is very important. When you've done the research and are sure a hyst is your best option, I'd go for it. I'll be having one myself after the first of the year for problems with endometriosis. I have many other options, and my condition is not life-threatening, but I think this is the best solution for me. Since you are sure you don't want any more children, I think it's a real consideration for you. Good luck...keep us posted.

Thanks to all of you for your responses! I found out yesterday that I'm not going back to the Dr. until Feb. That gives me more time to research and pray! :) I will keep ya'll updated!

Have you found out why you are bleeding so much? Different causes can mean different possible solutions. I didn't suggest any since you didn't say what your cause was. Hopefully there's an easier one than hysterectomy :). (Although in some cases, it is the best way to go.)

Hi, Thisby! I have had several tests done and the doctors say they can't really find what is causing the bleeding. I've tried numerous types of birthcontrol pills. My hormone levels are fine, the Dr. said I wouln't respond to hormone treatment. It's really strange not knowing why I am bleeding, something is causing it!

Oh yeah, I forgot to say that this has been going on for 2 1/2 years. :(

They don't know what's causing it? Now that's a pain...

Have you considered an ablation? Since your doc would know if you have a fibroid (you've had an ultrasound, right?), I won't suggestion embolization.

In the meantime, you could look into the Instead Menstrual Cup. You can have intercourse with it in. :) That would at least improve one part...

I have considered an ablation. The thing I don't like about that is you can't carry a baby but can still get pregnant. Even though I'm on the pill, I would be terrified I would get pregnant. I've had one miscarriage, I don't want to go through that again. Also, I've read that sometimes ablations don't work. I do have a small fibroid but that has developed in the past year, it's not the cause of the initial bleeding. I'll read up on the Instead Menstrual Cup, sounds interesting. Thanks so much! :)

It has been a number of years since I had my hysterectomy. I had fibroids, and also bled several times each month. Had a few injections of a hormone but this did not work. Since I was not having no more children, I opted for the hyserectomy. Good thing I did. When the surgeon inspected my insides, I also had endrometriosis which had killed one of my ovaries. So, he left part of one ovary and did a total hysterectomy. The bad thing I found at the age of 35 is the lack of hormones. The remaining partial ovary was of no use since I went into a quick menopause and had hot flashes, and a number of other things. I went on HRT - hormone replacement therapy (premarin) for 15 years. I have had breast exams for years and luckily, no breast problems. I have been off the HRT for five years and I feel great. For me, I never regretted the hysterectomy, especially when I realized the other problems I could of had if this surgery had not been performed. When I had it done, the C Section I had with my child was reopened to perform the hysterectomy - nothing was offered to me for vaginal surgery. So, for each person it is a matter of what is best for them. Medically there are more alternatives today and each one should be checked out fully. Ask alot of questions - check the books at the library or info on the internet.