considering hysterectomy - Hysterectomy Message Board

clayaikenfan · 12-11-2005, 02:05 PM

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!

Thisby · 12-11-2005, 09:15 PM

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?

clayaikenfan · 12-12-2005, 05:19 AM

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!

ktee_uk · 12-12-2005, 09:37 AM

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

SRMom · 12-12-2005, 05:03 PM

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.