Sorry to hear about the colon cancer and your current gyn problems! I was under the impression too that the uterus is useless after we have completed our families. Boy was I WRONG! Removing the uterus has some horrid consequences, both to your internal anatomy and your skeletal structure and figure. And it can have severe hormonal consequences too.

Everything gradually falls after they cut all those ligaments (the anchors for the pelvis) and remove the uterus - the bladder, the bowel, even the vagina. This can cause urinary and bowel problems as well as lead to future surgeries for prolapse, cystocele, rectocele, fistula. And men can sometimes tell the difference on penetration when the cervix is gone or the vagina collapses.

The skeletal changes explain why women who have had hysterectomies have big bellies and lose the curve in their lower back. The ligaments are what keep the rib cage in its place. When those are severed, the rib cage falls and the waist disappears. We lose this "buffer" between the rib cage and hip bones causing a shortened, thickened midsection and even worse, back and hip pain that typically progresses over time.

Even if the ovaries are not removed, you may still suffer from "surgical menopause" (post-hysterectomy ovarian failure) along with its many medically documented health risks and reduced quality of life

I had a hysterectomy 8 years ago (also age 49) - regret it every single day. I aged 15 years in a few short months - lost most of my hair (and it continues to fall out) and lots of skin collagen (saggy chin and jowls) and muscle mass. Bowels have been messed up ever since and vagina recently started collapsing.

The severing of nerves and blood vessels reduces sensation in the vagina, genitalia, and even the breasts. I can attest to this loss of sensation. My sex life isn't nearly as satisfying - no libido and arousal and response are hit or miss (mostly miss). And when I do have an orgasm, it pales in comparison to a UTERINE orgasm.

And as if that isn't enough to bear - I absolutely detest my new figure. And guess what? I weigh LESS than I did pre-hyst and am UNDERweight! One woman aptly described it as "my abdomen is in my lap."

Now on to the problem at hand - fibroids. Have you tried a less drastic treatment for the heavy bleeding such as birth control pills or non-hormonal Lysteda (tranexamic acid)? There are also some meds that shrink fibroids and although the side effects can be nasty, that may be better than organ removal. There are surgical options that preserve the uterus and its functions - hysteroscopic resection of fibroids for small fibroids and myomectomy for large ones. And being 49, "watchful waiting" may be worth a try since menopause may be just around the corner.

Here are a couple of links that may help you understand the long-term effects of this GROSSLY OVERUSED surgery..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_nY1az2k00
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/805517

Read my full profile for other effects hysterectomy has had on me. I was healthy, vibrant, very young looking, loving life when it all came crashing down after I was over-treated for a benign ovarian cyst.

Hope this helps in your decision!

Thanks for your comments, certainly gives food for thought, I used to be on the pill, but the chemo I was on left me with high blood pressure and had to come off it, my husband has since had a vasectomy. I have had an internal scan to check the fibroids, to see if I could have a non evasive hyster (in the uk its called eblation) that just takes out the lining of the womb but leaves the main womb intact. They've said where the fibroids are this isnt a possibility. I might see if I can control the pain, and not have the hyster, as I've been told the fibroids will start to shrink with onset of menopause, However this isnt showing signs yet as my periods are as regular as clockwork. I'm not worried about my figure as since most of my colon was removed, my muscles have now sagged due to like you say having less muscle down there to keep things in tact, a lot to think about and a lot to ask the gyny when i get my consultation. Thanks again for your support, will check out the links you sent.

Yes, ablation is not helpful when you have fibroids. It would make more sense to just remove the fibroids, the cause of the bleeding, if you choose the surgical route. Sometimes they do ablation at the same time but it seems overkill when the root cause is treated/removed. Also, ablation has its own set of long-term problems per studies.

Yes, abdominal surgery can do a number on our abs! I had a c-section with my first child and could not do sit-ups for awhile because my muscles were so lax. But I regained all of it back and had flat, toned abs up until starting about 2 years after my hysterectomy (when my rib cage started falling). I have good ab muscles now too but I have the scrunched, flabby belly and thick midsection (no waist) because my rib cage has settled on to my hip bones (a consequence of the ligaments severed to remove the uterus).

Even though your periods are still regular, you could be close to menopause. My sisters and other women I know just started skipping periods here and there and before long were menopausal. A supplement called DIM helps our bodies metabolize estrogen and may be helpful for fibroids.

I think the obgyn consult should help you decide. If you have issues relating to your ovaries then you may want them removed. Or you may want to keep only one ovary. It could reduce your chances of other cancers or problems in the future or multiple surgeries. Remember hysterectomy is common and helps a lot of women. But of course if your ovaries are not an issue then keep them.

Hi guys thanks for your comments, I dont think its so much the fibroids thats the problem, the colorectal surgeon is referring me, in his words, my womb is very enlarged and thickened, on the ct scan it looked like it filled the whole bottom half of my abdomen, I'm having a lot of back pain and abdomen pain, and now theyve ruled out any other probs, he thinks this can be the only cause. My periods stopped completely when iI had chemo, and since then I am only on 5 days, day 2/3 are the worst and darent go far and have to take extra pants to work. I can cope with my periods, as I know some women are on for weeks and anaemic and weak with it, Its the constant abdomen and back pain, without codiene I wouldnt get through a day, like you say Vansanturtle may shed more light when actually see the gyny, thanks again

Fibroids make the uterus large and can get to the size of a 20 week pregnancy. They can also cause back pain and, of course, heavy or prolonged bleeding. You could pursue treatment to just remove the fibroids so you can retain the non-reproductive functions of your uterus. They may want to do an endometrial biopsy first to be sure there are no abnormalities there..

Hi, It's good you're being so thoughtful about having a hysterectomy...If I could reverse to 13 years ago, I would have had a myomectomy (removal of fibroid) instead of a full hyst...Fighting4's experience is similar to mine...Muscles replaced with flab..my thighs -yech!! Vision acuity dropped..that is what i hate most...I still have trouble breathing which I'm told is scar tissue across the diaphram..tho I also think the spinal I had has caused many of my problems, too. Friend who is an RN called and related that her doctor was avoiding spinal blocks because sometimes they effect the ability of the diaphram to move..So please beware in case you elect for surgery!!!I nutritional specialist told me the problem could have been fixed with hormones an supplements...as uterine fibroids are a result of too much estrogen, and a shortage of progesterone...I can't verify that, but I have heard it several times...I hate that I ever had a hysterectomy...I was a lean, athletic highly energetic woman...Looked years younger than my age...but man, my skin began looking bad after surgery...thin, loose, and crepy!!. A holistic medical doctor said he sees this frequently...That the anterior pituitary gland is connected to the uterus...and when the latter is removed, the former goes into over drive...Not all women experience these troubles, but why chance it...Perhaps you can locate women who've had just the fibroids removed, and how they did. I certainly wish you well in your decision. Keep us posted...and you must be quite a trooper to have dealt with colon cancer!!!

It sounds like adneomiosis (not sure of the spelling) which is a thickening of the uturine wall. Unfortunately, it can cause presure on your spinal nerves, and no amount of natual supplements can help releive all cases....try to make the best decision for your own situation.

One other thing - Polyps and even some fibroids (such as submucosal ones) can make the uterine lining appear thicker than it is. And polyps can cause pain and make you bleed like the dickens. Your doctor can get a better view of the uterine cavity with a hysteroscope. And if there are any polyps in there, he can snip them off and any small fibroids can be "shelled out.".

My vision also deteriorated overnight post-hysterectomy. It's pretty blurry now and is usually worse until about noon. An opthamologist of a friend of mine told her that the eyes need ovarian hormones and estrogen replacement does not always give the eyes the necessary hormones for eye health. She lost most of her vision in one eye and can no longer drive at night.

Estrogen can mitigate some of the symptoms of menopause but is not the same as having our bodies' own hormones. And post-menopausal ovaries in intact women produce quite a bit of testosterone, some of which is converted into estrogen, into her 80's.

That's interesting about the vision thing. I have no complaints about my hyst, since my life is now at least livable, but I have noticed that my vision is different since the surgery. I wear glasses anyway, but it seemed like it deteriorated almost instantly afterwards. Not bad or anything. Just annoying, more than anything.

Hi JaynieG, sorry about your current situation. I too had an enlarged and thickened uterus and have a history of breast cancer which makes everything a little more scary. I had a total hyst in June of 2011 due to constant pain, heavy periods and large uterus which made me bloated and constantly having to pee. Anyway, I can't take HRT and went into full menopause. My symptoms have been more of a nuisance than anything else with hot flashes and foggy brain. There is no comparison to my life before though because of all the discomfort and pain I was having. You may want to have a biopsy to help with your decision. It is a major surgery and will alter your life, but there is joy and life after the fact. I am happy with my decision. I have no more pain and I still have a great libido. We are all different and it is great to make a well thought out decision. All the best.

Hi Jaynie, sorry to hear that you have had to go thru all your cancer treatment and are now having to go thru gyno issues now. I am 48 years old and have had my children. I have adenomyosis with a retroverted uterus. I have tried many treatments but the only known cure for adenomyosis is a hysterectomy. It sounds like you may have this condition which can be detected via mri. I am going to go ahead with the hysterectomy. I have not met one person that regrets their decision. You have to do what you feel is right for you. The pain and bleeding issues that you are probably experiencing now will probably only get worse. And we just don't know when we will go thru menopause. Hystersisters is a great website to read up. I wish you luck in your decision. Xx

Hi guys, thanks for all your comments, it sounds like from what everyone says it comes down to quality of life, need to ask my self is the periods and pain bearable? It sounds like for some of you a hyster was the only or final solution. At this moment in time, my periods are bearable because they are very heavy but only for a few days, my main problem is the pain, and have to take constant pain killers everyday, and don't want to get hooked on codeine based drugs. I am 49, if we could only look into a crystal ball and know when menopause would start lol, (my mum didnt start menapause till she was 55, still havent had consultation, (long waiting lists unless urgent here in uk) will update you guys after appointment, thanks again

Well I've had a consultation with the gyny specialist today, had another internal and external scan, she said she doesnt think my abdominal pain is linked to my enlarged womb but more to do with adhesions from my colon surgery. She said my womb is enlarged but nothing too severe for a woman my age, also she said if I feel that I am coping with my periods (which I am) would rather manage my pain as menapause is likely to be sooner than later, and doesnt want to go through a hysterectomy if it can be avoided, so hysterectomy off the agenda, and gonna continue with pain management and looking into keeping bloating to a minimum to help with the adhesions(bloatng makes them worse) thanks guys for your words of wisdom and support xoxox