Women who have had their uterus removed

I was in the hospital with women whose average age was 50-53. They weren't particularly worried about this issue. The only thing I know is that the doctor told them it wouldn't affect their sex life. How old are you, and do you have children?

I was also in the hospital with women who underwent such surgery. Their ages: from 45. The main reason was large fibroids. Only one was very anxious because she wasn't ready for the surgery and wanted to wait another year. Thankfully, they didn't let her go home. Her abdominal cavity was already full of blood :(

Everything about age is correct. If everything goes well, it doesn't affect anything. That's me. I had fibroids.

My friend had her uterus removed at the age of 18 due to a malignant tumor. It doesn't affect her sex life at all now.

My aunt had hers removed at 32, I think, and she looked so much prettier and fresher afterward. If there are medical indications, then it should be done.

After removal, are there periods?

Sex life is great! No worries about getting pregnant.

I'm already 43 years old and have two grown children. But I still don't want this surgery: I'm afraid my appearance will change drastically, I'm afraid my husband will find out, and I think he won't take it well. And I'm just scared of the surgery itself: it's an abdominal operation, it's frightening. Even though the fibroids, pain, and bleeding have already cornered me...

Author, you're really acting like a child. Do you think they're planning to remove your uterus for no reason? If you feel the treatment isn't right, consult another specialist, spend time and money on an accurate diagnosis. This topic has been brought up a hundred times on this forum—check the archives. I've written about my own experience in all these threads, and I'll repeat it for you. I had mine removed at 29, the pain and bleeding stopped—how could removal change you for the worse? It's not like they're removing your ovaries. Plus, you have two grown children, you weren't planning on having more, were you? Sorry, but you could die from severe bleeding in an unexpected place—what if you're alone somewhere and no one can help? Also, yes, it's an abdominal surgery, but you should opt for laparoscopy—that's three tiny incisions you won't even find two months later. I don't know where you are, but if in Russia, it's definitely better to go private. In Moscow, it's around 2-2.5 thousand dollars.

My mother had her uterus removed due to fibroids at the age of 48. Surprisingly, this had a positive effect on her appearance—she started looking younger. On the negative side, menopause began after the surgery, and it was quite unpleasant. As for the uterus, as her doctor explained, it's essentially just a sac for carrying a baby. This organ doesn't play any other significant role in the body. If the ovaries are left intact, there shouldn't be major changes. However, if the uterus is removed along with the ovaries, it will be more challenging due to hormonal issues.

Well, at 48, many women start menopause even without a hysterectomy, and there is such a thing as Hormone Replacement Therapy—why suffer through menopause? We can't afford to be so ignorant about our health.

Yulia, you explain everything well and correctly, but why are you so impolite?

Not true, I was being accurate; it's better to be overly cautious than not cautious enough. It was harsh to make the author understand that this is a game with death. If she refuses now, the next plan will likely be Zoladex for six months, which is a drug after which women aged 43-45 typically do not resume their periods, meaning early menopause, and it's not guaranteed that the fibroid will shrink. Moreover, the effects of the drug itself are worse than anti-cancer medications, according to the patients' own experiences. More than one doctor has told me this, and I've personally undergone not just one course, so I know exactly what it's like. That is, you won't be capable of even the slightest activity—depression coupled with a lack of energy and a very sharp drop in immunity. The author wanted real help, in my opinion, not just what "the neighbor" said.

Anonymous 18 - you don't have to be so cruel. I'm scared by this. It could happen to anyone.

Tell me, does the absence of a uterus affect sex? I would really like to know.

I support Yulia. Honestly, I'm scared about the post on the 18th.

And do orgasms occur after removal?

You know, I recently went through a few days of sheer terror. There was a suspicion of a cervical pregnancy—not just a suspicion, they basically said it was all over. Nothing could be done; the uterus had to be removed. I was horrified. Then, right before the surgery, I had another ultrasound and spoke with the doctor. She explained to me that the uterus is just a muscle whose function is to carry a baby. After that, it's not needed at all. Meaning, you remain a normal woman (the ovaries, etc., are all in place; you just don't have this muscle that can only cause extra problems). It has ABSOLUTELY no effect on your sex life whatsoever! In the end, it turned out I just had an abortion in progress, meaning the fetus was developing in the uterus and had descended, getting stuck in the cervix. I got off with just a scare. If it's important for your health, go ahead and remove it, and don't think about the negatives!

I had a consultation with an endocrinologist. I have a small nodule in my thyroid. She told me that I shouldn't remove my uterus because it could worsen my thyroid problems later, and my mastopathy probably wouldn't like it either. There are plenty of recommendations, but I have to make the decision myself. What should I do?

Orgasms vary, and uterine ones are no exception, but what about after a hysterectomy?

Lost in thought, it's not very clear to me—do you consult with different doctors separately? What about undergoing a comprehensive full-body check-up? Roughly speaking, weighing the pros and cons of the outcomes in both scenarios? Ideally, specialists should handle this... Of course, the decision is yours to make, but you can't assess the full picture on your own, can you?

Also, I'm not quite sure what you mean by being afraid that your husband will find out about the surgery?? Please don't take offense, I don't know the specifics of your situation... but what kind of husband is it that you don't trust? Shouldn't he, on the contrary, help you with this difficult decision and support you in any situation?! Or are you planning to hide it from him altogether?..

When I was 20, they removed it during childbirth (15 years ago) or they wouldn't have saved me. At first, I was somewhat upset, but then I even forgot about it. I don't know, everything's fine—no periods, so what? I have a child; some people with a uterus don't have more than one. I get hormones, and I have no issues with my husband or lover. As for menopause, the doctors told me I don't need to worry—it will happen in due time, regardless of whether it's there or not. No hormonal medications, just have more sex and that's it.

The uterus and one ovary were removed about 5 years ago, and I haven't taken hormones. For a year now, menopause has been bothering me, so the doctor prescribed a hormonal patch. I haven't gained weight, but there are no hot flashes or mood swings. Sexuality is completely normal. The doctor explained that using the patch for a year will keep everything fine. I apply the patch to a soft spot once a week.

Anonymous, how do you physically feel the absence of your uterus? What are the sensations during intimacy? What does your husband feel? There is a risk of breast cancer. I've been scheduled for this surgery due to uncontrollable bleeding.

People, speak up, how do you live with this? How have you come to terms with it? I'm urgently waiting for your answers.

Hello everyone! A year ago, I had both my uterus and ovaries removed. When I first heard about the surgery from my doctor, I was in shock, but she explained to me that the uterus is just a sac for carrying a baby and that its removal doesn't cause any complications for sexual life. The doctor advised against delaying the surgery because there was a large fibroid and bleeding could have started. During the operation, it turned out that my ovaries were terribly cystic, so they removed them too to avoid the risk of them turning into cancer. So, at 46, I ended up without my female parts. At first, I was in shock, thinking about what would happen next. But now it's all behind me, I feel fantastic, I take hormones and I'm flying high—it's nonsense when people say hormones cause mustaches and weight gain! The removal doesn't affect my sex life at all; in fact, I think it's become more intense!!! Hello to all, and I invite everyone to visit me in Riga!

Larisa, how many millimeters was the fibroid? What type was it? Submucosal, subserosal? How did it bother you? How was the uterus removed? Was it an open surgery? Are there any stitches left? How is intimacy? Do you personally feel the absence of the uterus? How did your partner react? I have a hundred more questions; if you answer these, I'll ask more.

I had a terrible fibroid, almost 20 weeks in size, which bothered me a lot and caused heavy bleeding. My gynecologist reassured me (two years before the surgery) that it would dissolve once menopause started. So I waited... and ended up growing it to such a size. They performed an open surgery on me, saying laparoscopy would be difficult because it was too large. They made a cut above the pubic area, very carefully, with a cosmetic stitch that healed quickly. If only you knew the relief I felt after the removal—nothing pressing or bothering me anymore!! I didn’t tell my husband they were removing my uterus; the doctor advised me not to, so as not to traumatize his male psyche, and said they were removing an ovary instead. We resumed our sex life after two months, and everything is just as it was before the surgery!! Moreover, I’ll tell you, I even got a lover who didn’t even ask about the reason for my scar. So don’t be afraid of anything; everything will be wonderful!! Just trust your doctor!!!

It's very important to trust the doctor who will perform the surgery. I ended up with my surgeon by chance; she was substituting for another doctor at the clinic that day, and after the verdict for surgery, she managed to instill trust in me with the words, "EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE!!!" And I went under her knife, even though all my friends said I was a fool for going to the first surgeon I came across. But I believed in her, and indeed, everything turned out well!!!

Larisa, keeping it from your husband is a wise decision. But I've already informed him about this possibility, though we could say it was a fibroid removal. I'm interested in how quickly YOU recovered, how long the pain lasted? How did you come to terms with the very idea of it? I can't accept it because I don't have the indications for it. The fibroid is only 20 mm, they removed one part of it, and the remaining part has been bleeding for three months now. Instead of removing the second part, they're suggesting to remove the uterus. And how many mm is 20 weeks? Was the surgery paid or free? At this level, have the sensations during intimacy changed? Like orgasm? They say it becomes dulled. I really value all these sensations, so that's probably why they're depriving me of these joys.

I recovered very quickly. I was up and walking the day after the surgery and was discharged from the hospital on the sixth day. I didn't suffer from pain; the incision ached a bit, but not for long. The surgery was paid for, as we don't have any other options here since I live in Latvia. Regarding sensations, I'll repeat, there have been no changes, except perhaps they've become more intense because you don't have to worry about getting pregnant and can fully relax. And the uterus is essentially just a pouch for carrying a fetus; it plays no role in orgasm, and its absence hasn't affected my libido at all!! If you're suffering from bleeding, definitely remove it, as my doctor told me—sooner or later, it will have an impact, especially in pre-menopausal age. How old are you? If you have more questions, feel free to ask, and I'll try to answer them.

Honey, it's indeed better not to tell the truth; who knows how he'll react. They say many men overthink things and then avoid women altogether! So just lie, say something like they removed a second fibroid piece.

Oh, Larisa, I wish I had your confidence. I'm 42 years old. I wanted to have another child; my husband and I want a child. How much does the surgery cost in dollars or euros? I'm also facing a paid procedure.

Right now I'm so confident, but a year ago I was also tormented by doubts about how things would turn out. I dug through tons of literature and online information until I went through it all, suffering and doubting. And now I can confidently say—it's all nonsense, the main thing is the relief you feel when it's all behind you. If you want to have another child, what's stopping you, and what do doctors say about it? After all, there's a reason for the belief that after giving birth, a woman gets rid of many illnesses, including fibroids? I paid $300 for the surgery + various gifts for the doctor and nurses. Don't be afraid, everything will be fine!!!

Larisa, how has the recovery process been going, how have you been sleeping?

Good morning!! I already mentioned that I recovered quickly, was discharged home promptly, and initially had dizziness and weakness, but that also passed within a week of returning home. To regain strength and boost immunity, they recommended taking Wobenzym, but you need to take at least 200 tablets, and it's not exactly cheap, though maybe it's less expensive in Russia. It was hard to sleep on my stomach, which is how I'm used to sleeping, but I managed to find a comfortable position, so sleep went on as usual. I'll say it again—don't be afraid of anything!! And why aren't they suggesting laparoscopic removal of the uterus if the fibroid isn't very large?

Larisa, I am absolutely against removal. My bleeding is caused by them leaving part of the fibroid. Why not remove it? I will insist on this.

Larisa, please get in touch. They want to remove my uterus and ovaries too. How do I get through this? How do I come to terms with it?

Larisa, have you ever been to a psychologist? Or did you manage with such a setup on your own?

My friend is studying to become a nurse. She did her internship in gynecology. It so happened that one of the nurses was undergoing surgery. They were only removing a fibroid. She enlightened us that it's almost always possible to do just that, but doctors often don't want to—it's more hassle. Don't agree to removal. All organs are necessary; there are no extra ones. FIGHT FOR IT.

I had the same problem three years ago when I was 38. The fibroid was growing rapidly, and there was a risk of it becoming malignant. During the surgery, they removed everything, explaining it was to prevent issues with the adnexa (cystic problems). Now I'm taking hormones. Psychologically and physically, it wasn't too hard for me to go through because the fear of a malignant disease was so overwhelming that there was no room for psychological concerns. Although, of course, at first, it was very unpleasant to feel as if I had been stripped of my femininity. But I got used to it. It's not as scary as it seems. It hasn't affected my sexual sensations at all; I didn't tell my partner, and he didn't notice anything himself.

Arina!! What hormonal medication are you taking, how long have you been taking it, how often, and do you take breaks? My doctor prescribed Estrofem, but this medication isn't available in Russia (I live in Riga). I'd be interested to know what you're taking.

Question! (Sorry, I don't know your name), I haven't seen any psychologists, I handled everything on my own. I agree with Arina, the fear of cancer outweighs all other worries. If the doctor recommends removing everything, they know what they're talking about. If you don't trust them, get a second opinion at other clinics. The main thing is not to obsess over what comes next—everything will be fine in the end!!

Larisa! I was initially prescribed a patch, but it didn't help. I consulted another doctor who said that a patch is insufficient at my age and prescribed Livial. I've been taking one tablet daily without breaks for three years now. It costs about 1000 rubles per month. It's well tolerated, although the instructions list many side effects. I haven't felt any signs of estrogen deficiency so far. There are changes in my breasts on the ultrasound (less glandular tissue, mostly fatty, but I'm not breastfeeding anyway). And the mammologist said that the risk of breast tumors is now lower. Strangely enough, my breasts even look better externally. Overall, a normal sex life and physical exercise are very important. Without these, no hormones (including "natural" ones) can prevent premature aging. Larisa, what does your doctor say about the duration of hormone therapy? Mine says as long as I want, even for life. I'd like to hear another opinion.

Larisa, I don't trust the doctor. They want to remove my uterus just because of bleeding. And now there's the tumor marker at 48 with a normal range of 36. I'm going to the oncology clinic in a few days. But they already told me over the phone that this isn't a definitive indicator.

Lost in thought, I truly sympathize with you being in a situation where you have to make a choice but can't bring yourself to decide. It's all very tough because it's serious. I'm in Germany and I know several acquaintances who have had their uterus removed. These women don't have any problems because of it. Here, the uterus is often removed when prolapse begins or even when it's fully descended. One acquaintance had her uterus removed and now takes some medication regularly.

Let me repeat: "Many women start menopause around 48 even without a hysterectomy, and there's such a thing as Hormone Replacement Therapy—why suffer through menopause? We shouldn't be so ignorant about our health." Yulia, you talk like this because it hasn't affected you yet. My menopause started even before 48. I suffered for years without knowing the cause, and doctors were baffled, saying it was too early for menopause. Here in Germany, when I couldn't bear the "joys" of menopause anymore, my doctor told me I wouldn't get through the suffering without hormones. I hesitated for a long time, but she convinced me. Some time passed, and the doctor took my blood for tests. When she got the results, she called me at home: "Urgently see a mammologist—elevated cancer cells were detected in your blood."

Just like that! You can't even imagine the shock I went through with the suspicion of breast cancer. The call came right before the weekend. Waiting until Monday nearly drove me insane. Of course, the same doctor immediately stopped all my hormones. And you say, "we shouldn't be so ignorant." Thank God, everything turned out fine for me, but I had to run around to doctors so much, getting blood tests every three months, and even now I'm always on alert. So, don't judge others.

Author, yes, "tumor marker 48 with a norm of 36" doesn't indicate anything yet. It turns out that in some people, these levels are always elevated and that is normal for them. Do you know for sure that yours was previously below 36? If not, don't worry ahead of time. Everything will be fine.

Lavender, I'm not worried. Lately, there have been so many health issues that I've learned to detach myself; I don't believe a single word the doctors say. Too many mistakes have been made with me. I'm calmly waiting for my oncology appointment. And I don't know what my test results were—I've never been interested in anything, completely trusting the doctors.

Well, that's right, good job!