[PeggyLee]

I have been having irregular, severe periods for several months. My uterus is enlarged (possibly from adenomyosis which means cells that line the uterus grow into the uterus). I had a D&C a couple of months ago -- no tumors, no cancer. The OB/GYN hoped the D&C would make my cycles more regular, but they're worse and more painful than ever. I feel like I'm constantly PMSing or having my period.

He now wants to do a hysterectomy, although he's left the decision up to me. Two other options, birth control pill and another procedure where they burn the lining to the uterus, are options. I refuse the birth control pill -- it's a hormone and that poses a higher risk for breast cancer (I'm in my 40's). I'm also a DES baby which means my mother took a drug (hormones) called diethylstilbestrol when she was pregnant with me, and this can cause gynecological problems in the child she was carrying (I don't want to take any hormones if I can help it since I haven't had a great time with them in my life). The other procedure to burn the uterus the doctor isn't optimistic that this will last long term for me.

I lost 30+ pounds, but due to a shoulder injury and then this TOM, I ate my way through my pain (didn't help) over the past year and regained 20 pounds.

My OB/GYN recommends a hysterectomy, although he's not pressuring me, it's my decision. He believes he can just remove my uterus and leave my ovaries. He said he could do this vaginally. I bit the bullet and made an appointment to see him tomorrow. I know he will want to schedule the surgery.

My question is will this help my weight loss or make it worse? I don't plan to take any hormones after surgery since I will be keeping my ovaries. Anyone else had a hysterectomy while trying to lose weight?

One last thing -- the doctor believes that because of the more frequent TOM's I've been having that they've contributed to my weight gain, although not all 20 pounds.

Any info, comments, etc. would be appreciated.

Peggy

[Carnation]

Hello. I have a little insight into your plight. I had my hysterectomy 2 years ago and I am sooooo glad I did. The constant bleeding was dragging me down and I was so depressed over it. Absolutely no quality of life!!!

I had my ovaries removed because I was already totally menopausal, I was 55 years old AND (and this is the biggy) did not want to be back in surgery later on for ovarian cancer (that happened to a friend of mine).

There are many low dose estrogens out there in both pill form and patch form. (I use the Estraderm patch and love it!!!)

As far as losing weight goes - it is possible to lose weight after a hyst. I lost 50# almost immediately. I had been retaining so much fluid, could not do any exercising because I was so bloated and felt terrible anyway. I found a new appreciation for life in general and am now healthier than I have been for at least the last 10 years!!! One thing I noticed when working for an ob/gyne practice for many years was that many of the women who gained weight after a hyst and while on ERT, did so because they sat around and waited for it to happen and it did!!!

Please thoroughly discuss leaving your ovaries in place with your MD. There is a small but very real risk with leaving them in and you have to go through menopause anyway later on. My MD said that a skillful surgeon can remove them vaginally if they are normal size.

Hope this helped some.

[thenewme]

Peggy I just saw your post. I had my uterus burned (lazer surgery) about 12yrs ago, and I wish I had it done years before. My dr also left me a choice of birth control pill or a hysterectomy, and since everything else was in good shape I chose the lazer.
I had real hard periods and was always taking iron. Since the surgery my iron level came up and I don't have periods anymore, everyonce in a while I have a system of pms. So really check it out and decide for yourself. But everyone I know thats had the lazer surgery is very happy with it. Sandy