Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Why I am on the fence about having my uterus removed...and no I am not becoming a sex blogger...



Many of you might remember, when I had my laproscopy about 2 years ago, or whenever it was...they found adenomyosis.

Adenomysis is is a medical condition characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue (the inner lining of the uterus) within the myometrium (the thick, muscular layer of the uterus).

Adenomyosis, is PAINFUL. Very painful. Please remember I labored pretty much alone with PN at home, until I was 9 1/2 cm with nothing, no tylenol etc. I even gave SR his bath, did dishes...etc...so I am ok with pain.

When my Dr. in Arkansas suggested a partial hysterectomy, I thought about it for a week. I then arrived at his office with a question...

Hold on to your hats Nellie...and leave now if you blush easily. But this is a serious matter, with serious consequences.

I asked the Dr. if having a hysterectomy could effect my sexual well being.

Meaning this...the uterus does function during an orgasm...

"will not having a uterus, effect my orgasm?"

The Dr. looked at me for a moment, like his Universe collapsed, and then said, "good question, I do not know the answer."

to which I replied

"would you want your wife to have a hysterectomy, not knowing that answer?"

he replied

"probably not".

I have researched this to death, and have found little in the way of REAL useful information.

This proved to be interesting...


As well as this article.

I am currently considering ablation therapy, or alternatives.


I have also spoke with Physicians re: leaving the ovaries, and only removing the uterus, can lead to decreased blood flow to the ovaries. Not only causing hormal issues, but an increase for my risk of heart disease (which the gentic Gods have already seen to)....

15 comments:

Wendy said...

http://www.hystersisters.com/has great boards and areas where they link a ton of recent articles..

I had Adeno, I say had because I had it ALL removed last October. For me, it was a great decision with no complaints in any department. It was a very difficult decision though.

good luck

LeeAnn said...

It was discovered after I had the whole shebang removed that, in addition to the reason it had to go, that I also had adenomyosis. I never knew. It was only in November just past, so I can't say as to any side
effects, sex speaking. I had a few complications that precluded me from *ahem* participating much in that area. Research is still pending. :)

Anonymous said...

Tough choice. Hang in there, sugar, and do what you need to do to have a good quality of life.

And really, what's so bad about blogging about sex? *grin*

Amy said...

Its funny that you wrote this! My mom just had her uterus removed yesterday because of endometriosis.

They left everything else because it was in great shape. I don't have any other information on her hormones or anything right now but I hope this helps!

Anonymous said...

hooah TO YOU FOR NOT BEING SHY AND POSTING THIS.....
My friend Deb had it. She said it wiped out her sex drive but when she did have sex, she could stil have the Big "O".
I wish you luck.

Anonymous said...

My mom had a total hysterectomy years ago ... while it did wipe out her sex drive she can still achieve the big "O". Good luck in making your decision.

Linda said...

If you retain your ovaries, you should still have your sex drive, and the orgasms are just the same. (and you'll still pms, lol) If they leave your cervix (which they can, depending on the severity of your adenomyosis) everything thing will work...heck, it still works without a cervix (I had adhesions from c-sections); I was just a bit afraid...you know..it's just a dead end there now, lol!

Honestly...ablation can't fix this problem, and the pain is NOT worth suffering through. You're doing the research the right way - post about it and get folks to talk.

vet66 said...

My wife had a complete hysterectomy when she was in her late 20's. The good news? No worry about cervical cancer. The not-so-good news? No estrogen which effectively eliminated her libido.

The Doc put her on the lowest level of estrogen she could get by on which improved her libido from 0to X. Yearly mammograms keep an eye on her increased susceptability to breast cancer which does not run in her family.

The loss of the cervix and fallopian tubes has very little, if any, effect on the lady bits down there.

Fear not, the road to the big "O" is there for the taking if you have the time. ERT also cuts down on the hot flashes etc.

Go for it!

Guard Wife said...

My friend had the ablation done (well, two friends I know for sure) and could not be happier.

I hope you find a good answer that you can be happy with.

Anonymous said...

This is a tough one.

I will say I've never spoken to a woman that regrets it. But now I dont't know if its a case where their sex life was just as good or the fact that their lives were so horrible once a month that they thought it a good trade off.

I would think... that if your uterus has so many issues, it in itself, is not contributing in any way to great sex.

That said... I'd want to keep my ovaries and my cervix. I'd want them to take the part that is causing so much grief, but let me keep the parts that still function.

Some Soldier's Mom said...

my mom had a complete hysto done (retained 1 ovary) after her 7th child (in 5 years) and let me tell you that it had absolutely no affect whatsoever on her sex drive OR her ability with the O... she said if anything it IMPROVED her sex drive because she not only had no more pain, but she had no fear of pregnancy... she always told her children that biggest and best sex organ was the brain and that we shouldn't be afraid to use it ;-)

Chuck said...

Wait... women have orgasms? Since when?

Why didn't anyone tell me?

Anonymous said...

Funny, my Mom always said what Some Soldier's Mom said... that the brain was the biggest sex organ. (I think they are right...)

Just saw an article on MSN, where some woman said after her hysterectomy she became a sex fiend. I had to laugh and thought I'd throw that in there... Heh.

vet66 said...

Chuck

"Oh baby, Oh baby, your'e the best!"

She might be faking it if she says it while reading the newspaper....!

Or so I've been told...

Weepinwilow said...

Just came across this post and wanted to find out if you ever ended up having your uterus removed, or what alternative you may have chosen? I'm SO on the fence myself and can use as much input as possible!!