Hysterectomy?????

Firefighter583 · 05-11-2005, 10:10 PM

I have just been diagnosed with PCOS. I am very fortunate to already have 2 children. I saw that there are alot of problems that PCOS caused....diabetes..weight gain...cancer...etc. I have also seen that Hysterectomy is a treatment. Is this something that would lower the risk of diabetes and cancer??? And is it always suggested to a person who has children and PCOS? Just worried about options!!!

LeeDawson · 05-11-2005, 10:24 PM

hi,
i have considered having a hysterecomy too I have 2 beautiful girls after ttc (dd 2 1/2) after 3 years and then had dd 2 (14 months ) natrual concieved... but unfortunately the pcos won't go away..
I'm too young! (28 in dec)
Consider you options, and research, there is lots of information the the board to treat pcos!

Firefighter583 · 05-12-2005, 01:42 AM

Thanks for the reply. There is alot to think about.

sue_trask · 05-12-2005, 06:15 PM

from what ive read and a doctor who knows about pcos very good. that doing a hysterectomy wont take pcos away. you still will have it since its not reprocdive problem its more a endo. problem. so it wouldnt do a thing to take away pcos from a female.

sue

Pattyannruss · 05-12-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefighter583

. I have also seen that Hysterectomy is a treatment. Is this something that would lower the risk of diabetes and cancer??? And is it always suggested to a person who has children and PCOS? Just worried about options!!!

I don't know where you got the information...but who ever it was....DO NOT trust their judgement!!

I too thought it would take care of "it all". I was wrong.
It helped take care of the cronic pelvic(to a point)pain. But in fact a hysterectomy can trigger some of the same/more severe symptoms of PCOS.

The top 2 problems surgical menapause will most likely trigger is high cholesteral and high triglicerites. This is a proven fact that can be found in any reading material for menapause. I am also living proof!. I never had either until after my surgery.
Other symptoms that can develope.....
Weight gain
Diabeties
Insulin resitance
Depression
Anxiety
Changes in breast tissue(from firm to soggy in a matter of months)
Adhesions(also pain related to adhesions)
Bone disorders
Tooth decay
Skin changes.(some very drastic)
Loss of sex drive
Vaginal dryness
Eye changes(sight)

All of these symptoms can occur when there are changes with the ovaries.
Some women have more dramatic side effects than others. Each woman can and will had a different combo of issues.

I just wish I had more information available to me before I had the surgery done. I am now angry that my doctors did not take the time to even suggest all of this. You need to be fully aware of what you are facing.
This surgery if a drastic life altering change. Sometimes it is for the better, for some it can be worse.

Please, if you are really considering doing this, MAKE SURE you are doing it for the right reasons FOR YOU!! You can't go back and change it. This is FOR EVER! Please please...really read up on it. Make a list of WHY you want to do it.

I have a few links available to check out. I hope you will.
There is a syndrome that is also linked to having your tubes tied(memics PCOS) Any form of female surgery can cause those symptoms to appear.

There is also a site... hystersisters.com
They are for those facing or have had the surgery. Be fair warned...they are not as open about medical discussions as we are here. So I am not sure how much help you will get. But it can be a start for you to see what other complications it can cause.(I didn't go into much detail believe it or not)

There is so much to it.
Take the time to get information from many sites and sourses.

If you have any questions let me know.

dellwood · 05-13-2005, 07:36 AM

Thanks for the post, Patty. I have been under a lot of pressure from my G.P. to have a hysterectomy. She says it will help clear up my PCOS and also the problem with fibroids. My gynae agrees with her, but I really don't see how it will help with my PCOS much. My mother was a PCOS sufferer pretty much all her life (just as bad after the menopause) and my aunt still is--she's 78 this year!
My endo supports me as he is certain that most of my severest problems stem from my insulin resistance, which wouldn't be helped by a hysterectomy. My other doctors keep telling me that it is only "a minor procedure" but isn't that always true when it's not you who's going under the knife? I had some pretty horrible after effects from my sterilisation in '93 and I'm in no hurry to repeat that scenario.
I'm sure this operation is necessary for some people and can be helpful to them, but I also feel that it is still being used as a catch all remedy for "womens problems" by some doctors. It is after all, the root of the word "hysteria" and I'm sure some doctors still see a great many women with PCOS as just that--problem patients with too much on their minds!
Just a personal view, but I'm not ready to take the plunge yet!

jun keater · 05-13-2005, 02:41 PM

I'm sorry.... but I would NEVER have a hysterectomy just because I have PCOS - and, if my doctor ever suggested I did, I would be finding a new doctor in a heartbeat.

Pattyannruss · 05-14-2005, 12:09 AM

The reason the dr thinks it will help PCOS is because it would remove the cystic ovaries. But I didn't have a problem with that yet. I had severe Andeomyosis and Endo that caused horrible pelvic pain and swelling through out my body.

I also had complications from having my tubes tied in 1996. I honestly feel this is what triggered ewverything. Then when I started the Yasmin and Gluc it triggered the endo to become severe and painful.

t the time the pain was so great I was willing to do ANYTHING to stop the pain and misery. So I asked for the hysterectomy. I do feel better. But I still have all the PCOS symptoms(see above list for an idea).

If you have cronic fibroids that can not be controlled with hormone treatment or laser carterization, then I would also suggest having it done.

Another fun(not) fact women don't know is that cronic aniemia can cause luekemia(cancer!) I have a gal at work that has been off for over a year because of it.
I had no idea until she went through it.

So list the top 6 cancers and I know someone that has been DX in the the last 4 years.(My biopsey of the uterine autopsey was precancer cells)

It is scary stuff.

Keep reading up on it all. You have plenty of time to make a careful desision. Just make sure it is well informed and you won't have any regrets(unlike me)

Keep in touch,

Patty