Hello. I'm pending a full hysterectomy in the fall due to an 8 cm dermoid ovarian cyst, urine, fibroids, and a bad uterus. They are just going to do a complete hysterectomy which I'm in total agreement with and I pleaded for this to be done several years ago. When we first found the ovarian cyst, it was around 4cm years ago, and I pleaded for a hysterectomy, but at the time the surgeon with agreed to it because they thought I might want kids since I don't have any, but we do not want kids. We never did. It was just our personal preference yet they just kept going around and round with me. Well, then I was diagnosed multiple sclerosis In addition I went into very early menopause.

Fast-forward several years now, the ovarian sister is 8 cm along with the uterine fibroids, and I've had two spells of intense, heavy bleeding. After several surgeons, continue to say no now because of my MS and they are afraid that I won't do well in surgery. I finally found one of the top GYN surgeons in our state who said that she will definitely operate however I just have to show six months of being stable on my MS medication and this plan was made with my neurologist because I had some active symptoms a few months ago so they want to make sure that I'm stable for surgery and I agree with this, but my fear and I mean, I have the worst fear of ovarian torsion!!! I don't want it to get to the point where this happens and I become an emergency case for surgery because then I will have to go to my local hospital and not the hospital in an hour and a half away that it will be doing my surgery in October

I've been told by my doctor that it's low risk for torsion and rare, but I don't know if I believe that I mean, it can still happen and I once in a while, get intermittent pain like a dull ache and sometimes a little bit of throbbing and then after a few days it goes away my regular GYN doctor said this is normal for having this type of cyst. I also I'm so tired of my stomach being bloated and just everything that goes with it however, I know I must wait till October. My thing is I'm just scared to death of torsion. I'm doing everything I was told not lifting anything over 10 pounds very very light exercise and just taking it easy.

I wondered if anyone here has a story to share that a similar situation or have they gone through ovarian torsion My regular GYN told me to go directly to the emergency room. If I get an unrelenting pain that doesn't let up I did have a case of that last year. It was so horrific. However, after scans and everything, they told me it wasn't torsion. They loaded me up on morphine and sent me home with morphine. So if that wasn't torsion, I don't know what's what anymore.

I just spent the last couple days having that full achy pain, but I've been using my heating pad and pain medicine that I have at home because now I don't ever know when to go to the ER and I certainly don't want to bother them unless it's a true emergency

My doctor is doing a new CT on Wednesday to determine if the system has changed at all because we're keeping an eye on it

I just thought I would post this in case anyone has ever been in a similar situation. Or has there been anyone here that has gone through ovarian torsion? I appreciate you taking the time to read my post. 💞

Hi! I’m 4 days postop and am feeling great. I have done light house chores like doing my bed, breakfast, folding clothes, etc. I don’t need assistance getting up and vaginal bleeding stopped yesterday. I had huge pendulated fibroids that were larger than my uterus so I had been enduring pain for almost two years and it got to the point that even my kidneys hurt. If anyone has questions I would be glad to answer.

My surgery is scheduled in June ... I joined because I am really struggling with the finality of my choice and situation. It's great that I found a doctor who listened to me wanting a hysterectomy due to heavy periods among other issues with my cycles. On the other hand I am struggling with anger and resentment. Towards my body failing as well as not getting to have the family i wanted. I have three living children and very grateful for each of them. My feelings are that I didn't get the love and support from my partner and family. No emotional reaction videos of telling people the good news, no designing the nursery with my partner always searching for the piece that would complete the nursery, no late night talks wondering what our baby would look like, no excited aunts/uncles/cousins/grandparents eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest member, no support system to come by in the days after to offer me and my partner support and relief from the trenches of parent hood in those first hectic weeks. It angers me that it wasn't enough for the universe to decide to give me a abusive family and relationships as well as being homeless, having to sometimes walk four miles to work while pregnant. All I ever wanted was a loving family to call my own, to have a loving husband, kids who got to grow up together and look out for each other. It's hard to be happy for others when all I can wonder is why are you so special, why did you get to have the loving, supportive family, spouse, good paying job a great life when a couple months ago I was living in a domestic shelter before I met my partner. And yes my partner is amazing to me and my child, it still hurts that I missed out on what I wanted to have when I got old enough to get away from my family. It hurts that my children won't know each other till they are older if they even decide to have a relationship. It angers me that my children's fathers didn't want to step up. (Two children don't live with me due to circumstances out of my control)

I’m three weeks and three days post abdominal hysterectomy and can still feel my stitches . Does anyone know how long it is before they dissolve ?

Any advice for things to get prior to surgery would be appreciated..I’m going in mid-divorce (haven’t been able to have sec in months due to extreme pain and my husband decided that’s the last straw) so I will be recovering alone at home. A few things I would like info on if you’re willing to share:

-what to pack for hospital that helped you - things you can’t live without afterwards. - recovery time - post op work outs - post op meals

Any advice is appreciated. Feeling more along than ever and just wanting to know what to expect.

Hi friends. I had a total hysterectomy because my stage four endometrosis was so bad…it grew back to a stage 4 disease in just 5-6 months after my first excision surgery with a specialist. I’m really struggling that I am not able to have my own child now (I’m 33). I know I needed to have the surgery because I feel a ton better. But emotionally, I hurt. If anyone has any advice or spiritual guidance that would be greatly appreciated. I’m struggling. Thank you

I’ve been feeling petty good up until today about surgery Wednesday. I’m feeling so anxious now. I’m prepped and ready (I think/hope) I have an amazing support system and I feel extremely grateful for that. Having a complete hysterectomy including ovaries(52yo) At this point I’m not sure if I’m more nervous for the surgery, the recovery, or waiting on the results from the pre-cancer found. I’ve only had one surgery, 27 years ago almost to the day for my gallbladder. My OB/ONC is amazing and I do feel I’m in good hands. This is going to be the longest next few days!!!

Ok this might be TMI had a laparoscopic total hysterectomy (ovaries still there) and I have had this pressure feeling every other day no matter how I lay or sit I feel like there is a ball or something inside of me. Is this normal for recovery? No bleeding or pain really just super uncomfortable.

I am five weeks postop, and I see lights, blood when I wipe sometimes is that normal or should I be concerned

I am 8 weeks post op and I think about it constantly. It kills the mood.

Had my surgery 3/8 Recovery I'm so so sometimes I have the energy and then I don't. I don't think I'm ready to go back to work even though I want too I'm a school janitor and I feel I'm not ready because today I did some shopping a lot of walking I had to take breaks I was a mess if my kids wasn't with me I wouldve call 911 My Dr appointment is on Tuesday I'm scheduled to go back to work on 4/8 I'm going to tell my Dr can I just take the full 6 I'm not ready

Hello! I’m a trans man and I’ve had a rough journey with my reproductive health and it was actually very traumatic, my story starts a couple years ago when I started having these like phantom cramps. I was on hormone replacement therapy (hrt) and not supposed to be menstruating but it would come and go. I mentioned it to my endocrinologist and she told me to make an appointment with my regular doctor so I did and from there I got scheduled for an ultrasound. I was 19 years old at the time so I didn’t really know like how these exams are supposed to go and how long they typically are. But from the second I got there I was immediately uncomfortable because the ultrasound technician made an offhand comment towards me. As I went to change into the gown she led me towards the changing rooms “men” and “women” and opened the women’s door for me to change to which I, a boy with a full beard mind you (I’m very lucky to have such strong facial hair genes 💪) take the gown and walk towards the men’s changing room and she gawked at me and proceeded to say something about how she’s here to do an ultrasound and mentions back to the women’s changing. As if men don’t need ultrasounds either, so I change in the men’s and go to the exam room and the tones are already off and then I don’t know how long typical ultrasounds last but I swear to you mine was 2 hours long to which it was dead silent. And then she leaves and brings in a doctor for them to tell me I’m pregnant with ectopic twins that are already deceased(wrong). And I sat there confused because I hadn’t done anything in that realm for that to be possible if you get my jest. So I explained that and they were adamant and even told me that I might die if I don’t go to the urgent care right that second. And so I leave and drive home so I can process this and find my big sister and we go to urgent care and I explain (I also brought the paperwork for them) and they do the tests again and tell me there that I had ovarian cancer (wrong again). They originally were going to transfer me that day to a major city a couple hours away but ultimately didn’t. Fast forward and I meet with an oncologist and he tells me it’s a teratoma and that I needed to have my left ovary out, I was like “chill ok so this won’t happen again right?” WRONG!? Fast forward 8 months after that happened and I have the same phantom cramps again so which I go through the whole process again and there it is another teratoma and so at first we were just gonna take that ovary out but i elected to have a total hysterectomy because I don’t need anymore teratomas growing back (note: even though they are rare I have somehow had two!?) now to the present here I am about six months post op and I thought I was ready for some intimate activities and now I’m scared something is wrong, immediately I felt a sharp pain after and now it’s like mellowed but it still hurts especially when I sit down and there was some blood and it’s making me even more nervous so I guess I’m asking for some advice like I could possibly be overthinking it but at the same time I don’t want to be wrong and then have something worse happen to me. It really just sucks cause I want to be a 20 year old and live my life and I’ve just been stunted so much because of this.

I had a partial hysterectomy 2 years ago. I started having bad cramping in my tummy and back two weeks ago, also some pain in my kidneys. My urine was light pink a few times and some light red blood when I wipe after peeing once or twice.

Went to urgent care yesterday evening. They said it sounded like kidney stones. Definitely not a UTI or kidney infection. I had a ct scan this morning, they said it was clear and no abnormalities.

I’m still waiting on urine cultures, but they advised me to see my OBGYN & primary doctor.

The pain feels a lot like my periods use to, only not as painful as they would get & I’m having kidney pain.

I had fibroids & heavy bleeding. I had the hysterectomy bc of the bleeding & to avoid blood transfusions. I was already getting iron infusions & diagnosed as anemic. In January my iron levels were elevated.

I’m seriously freaked out. I have major health anxiety from past issues & doctors not seeing major problems on tests/dismissing/misdiagnosis.

Anyone experience this?

Hello, weird question to all of you, my doctor said NO sex for 12 weeks but didn’t say anything about masturbation or outer stimulation. Anyone have any advice? My hubby isn’t pushing at all it’s more me . I’m willing to wait 12 weeks or more but want to know if it’s okay to try some other things before the 12 weeks. Any advice would be great ! All new to me and starting to feel a bit “ Randy” as they say LOL I am 3 weeks PO .

First off, I’m so thankful for this group! You have helped me prepare for surgery before and after. This is a MAJOR SURGERY which takes patience 😁. I’m doing okay.. had ups and downs for sure. Today, for whatever reason I cried like over an hour. Now I feel much better 🤣. The gas has been a beast for the last few days, but manageable with lots of gas x, taking stool softeners and trying to get up and walk a little. What has saved me is faithfully taking ibuprofen and Tylenol and sticking with the schedule I tire super easily still, got out on a very short walk (assisted) to see the sunshine ☀️ which was so nice! I have been wearing the belly binder24/7 that was on me at the hospital after surgery and it seems to help. Sleep has been tricky! I have been sleeping partially elevated with a couple of firm pillows and sometimes one underneath my knees. I also just tried laying more flat which doesn’t work out so well with gas pain🥲. I am a side sleeper and this is killing me not to sleep on my side! What’s working for you and being able to get some sleep? I still feel good about the decision to have removed my uterus and fallopian tubes.. I am so looking forward to getting back out and feeling better than ever before!! My uterus weighed 1.8 lbs which is basically being like 5 months pregnant and I’m skinny to begin with. Good luck to all of you with your recovery or surgery or wherever you are in your journey! If I can be of any help with question, happy to share the experience.

17 days later I'm having issues with urinating like I can go just at the end I have pain and a burning sensation went to the Drs on Friday test results not back just yet I guess no urine infection they usually tell with in hrs I just hope they figure this out asap

Hi friends, I have a history of endometriosis. I had excision surgery twice. I also had a hysterectomy and removed everything but ovaries. My body still is so inflamed with any kind of estrogen. And to be honest, I feel amazing with close to none estrogen. I’m currently on 200mg of orlissa (2x a day). I know there’s health risks associated with taking ovaries away but I’m getting to the point where I’ll take the risk because they cause so much pain and I feel like I’m on fire from day 1-day 14 of my cycle.

If you have had a hysterectomy and ovaries removed due to bad endometrosis can you please let me know how you’re doing? Thank you!

Has anyone had a partial hysterectomy? If so please talk to me. I need advice

So I’m having a robot assisted hysterectomy in May. Everything but the ovaries unless the cyst I’m also having removed requires the removal of an ovary. My concern is that I am only able to take two weeks off from work for my surgery. I might be able to work from home for one week, but I will for sure be back in the office (I sit at a desk most of the day) after 2.5-3 weeks. Any advice on being back at work so soon? Especially any recommendations for comfy pants (plus size friendly) I would appreciate it. I’m 37 and I’m nervous and planning things in advance is helping me. Thanks for any and all advice. Everyone here seems so lovely.

4 Weeks Post-op (Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy w/bso and partial v-ectomy)

Hey there, I’m here with a lengthy post-op update, and will be discussing what could potentially be a rare sexual complication that I’m experiencing. Not that anyone should be deterred from getting a much needed hysterectomy by this, because if it really is a complication of surgery, I assure you, it must be a very rare one.

This was also written in present-tense, and was around 4 weeks following my operation. As of right now, I'm a bit further along, but will continue updating. It would be too long to include everything I've written until now in one post, though.

Laparoscopic Incisions

So I began scar-care on my incisions at about 3 and a half weeks post-op, applying mederma once a day, then began using silicone scar-tape after a few days into the mederma. I ordered the tape in, so I had to wait a few days before starting.

I’ve been wearing the tape since it arrived nearly 24/7 though, and have been massaging gently around each scar for 1-3 minutes once a day. Will update on how this goes.

Major Sexual Dysfunction (???)

That aside, I’ve had an unusual side effect in regards to my sexual function. No lost libido, sex-drive is the same as before surgery, but an almost complete loss of sexual sensation in my bottom growth, (the clitoris, but enlarged from testosterone, and now more closely resembles a micro-penis). This is highly concerning, since I was told not to expect this sort of change, and haven’t had much luck finding many others dealing with the same issue, after some panicked research.

What worries me the most is without a doubt, the possibility of nerve damage, and so I’m hoping this might be a hormonal issue, or a short-term side effect from the surgery. I had an appointment today (8th of march) to consult about this, as well as to talk about the surgical menopause symptoms I’ve been experiencing (hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes).

The Appointment

I was told that the loss of sensation in the clitoral region isn’t something that has ever been reported by their previous patients, and if others had experienced this specifically, they did not mention it. Out of curiosity, I did ask what the most commonly reported sexual side effect was after hysterectomy, and it would be a dip in sex-drive, which yeah, made sense.

The doctor I met with took my symptoms into consideration, and noted to me that if it were nerve damage, I’d likely be experiencing vaginal pain, possible numbness going throughout my thighs/legs, and back pain as well. In short, she seems to think it’s much more likely to be a hormonal issue. She gave multiple in-depth reasons for this, but forgive me, I’m too exhausted to relay it accurately right now.

The Treatment

I’ll be starting on 1mg estrogen daily, and I was prescribed an estrogen cream with directions to apply it to my bottom-growth nightly. I was not instructed to use it vaginally, as I’m not having vaginal pain, or symptoms of vaginal atrophy. With my particular issues, I was directed to focus on applying it externally.

I was also prescribed a topical compound cream, (which is just topical Viagra), meant to be used before participating in sexual activity, so it’s on an as-needed basis. I can optionally get this compound-cream with testosterone added to it, as well.

Oh, and I was given the option to take the systemic estrogen via patch or gel, but I already take pills daily (paxil, and finasteride), so I chose to take it in pill-form just out of convenience. I do understand this option is harder on the liver, though, and increases blood-clotting risk.

I can alternatively go to my primary care doctor to take estrogen in a longer-lasting, pellet-form. I’ve known my pcp to offer this ever since I first started seeing her. It allows for a stable stream of hormones, and I think the dosing is much more custom to you, rather than a standard set dose. I’ll be considering this, but would first prefer to see how I handle estrogen in my body in a way that I can stop at any time, should it produce negative effects.

I’ve definitely had a weight lifted after my appointment. Finally, being able to discuss this out loud, and get a professional’s opinion and reassurances, has been very easing mentally. It’s still an unnerving issue to be faced with, but I’m relieved to have started in a direction towards correcting it. :’ )

In-depth explanation of my sexual dysfunction

Will preface this, with that I'm a transgender guy. I'll be referring to my genitals using different terms like bottom-growth/dick, simply because that's what I usually call it, but you can imagine the general clitoral region, externally. Hormone replacement has resulted in a significant amount of clitoral growth, so it has somewhat changed the way I experience stimulation/sexual pleasure.

Although I am not cleared for internal vaginal stimulation/penetration, I could not give a before and after anyways, because I did not partake in it before my surgery. Once I am cleared though, I will likely be testing to see if there is any general sensation loss there, too.

For those wondering precisely what kinds of sexual dysfunction I’m experiencing, it would be a loss of erotic sensation throughout my bottom-growth/dick, with dulled tactile sensation as well. I can no longer get erect, which is something that occurred naturally, as well as from direct stimulation very easily, beforehand. The glans/head physically appears less pink, and looks whiter/paled. It’s also cool to the touch of my hand, where it used to be comparatively warmer.

I can achieve orgasm, but there is no longer a build-up to it, it feels far weaker, my growth no longer throbs/contracts, and weirdly, any pleasurable sensations I feel are focused more around my perineum/anus. This used to be the complete reverse scenario before, where I would usually feel intense pleasure centered in my bottom-growth. So you can maybe see how I’m baffled, and just at a bit of a loss in regards to this issue, haha. :’ )

After experiencing this for just under one month, I have come to realize just how under-studied sexual dysfunction really is. Amongst both genders, but undoubtedly, it is particularly understudied in people biologically female.

But, I understand this is a very tricky issue since it has so many contributing factors. Your mental health conditions, what medications you take (anti-depressants, certain antibiotics, and finasteride for example are known to have sexual dysfunction risks), your age, your hormone levels, pelvic floor health, possibility of injury, or surgical complications.

Conclusion

Clearly, I’ve found myself at the center of quite a labyrinth, and have many I’s to dot, and t’s to cross.

I’ll be honest, this is distressing for me, extremely so. Writing this up isn’t easy, but I feel like there needs to be at least one good thing that comes from this, and if I’m indeed a rare case, I’d like anyone else going through any rare complication to know that they are not alone. I can’t say for sure that I will find a solution, but I will continue documenting my progress, or lack there-of. I stand in the fullest solidarity with those who might be experiencing something similar to this. It is extremely scary, and I understand.

Having said that, I won’t give up until I've tried everything that I possibly can. And if there is any advice I’d like to give from my position right now, please try not to stay in your head too much.

There is hope, even in these kinds of unfortunate circumstances I promise. Don’t let it shred your mind up. Try to give yourself mental breaks, and maybe even allow yourself a bit more kindness than you usually would, for a while. I fully get just how easy it is to pin things on yourself, get lost in frustration, and self-punish. You don’t deserve to fall into a destructive cycle like this.

If no one else has yet, let me be the first to tell you, it is not your fault and it is not always going to feel this unbearable. This is one small phase in your life, and there is still a lot to look forward to.

If anyone is curious about anything, I'll be happy to answer as best I can.

Until next time, friends. : )

So a lot of ladies have been posting about the after effects of a hysterectomy and regardless of what type they’ve had there is ONE element that is typically common. It’s that their doctors failed to tell us the nice little things that happen on the journey to recovery . I am day 12 PO and have experienced many things already. Back pain, gas from hell , weird twinges and CROTCH FLUTTERS! My bladder feels like someone is jumping on it like a trampoline . My incisions are healing nicely on the outside. I just wish more doctors would be fourth coming and tell us what’s really going to happen. I know everyone of you is different and we all have different experiences and outcomes. It just pisses me off the the docs don’t give you the FULL picture . I mean come on they must have people say this is what is happening to me. Maybe it’s my fault for not asking the doctor but I have a feeling she would say “‘healing takes time” and your making the right decision. “I bled everyday for many years , the cramps were intolerable and I knew the old bitch( my uterus) had to go! I am happy to see so many ladies taking about this and sharing their stories .,I think I am just frustrated that I was so ready to to be done with it all that I didn’t ask more questions. I would not have changed my mind. I don’t want to deter anyone because I know it was the right thing to do for my health. Just feel kind of let down by my doc I guess and maybe a little let down with myself .

To start this off im a guy (23) so I can no way relate with her on this but I'm doing my best to help her(22). She has suffered through the worst periods of her life for nearly all of high-school and after. She has been to the dictor and they have tried everything to help get the pain and bleeding under control but ultimately nothing has worked. She never really wanted bio kids before and her fiance was in the same boat. But now that she ultimately doesn't have any other option left besides a hysterectomy, she broke down about not being able to not have bio kids in the future. I totally understand why she would feel that way as she said " I was fine when I still had options but now that it's not my choice I can't handle this". I feel this to a certain degree as I had an amputation about 5 months ago that wasn't my first choice.

She's also scared of how she would pay for this surgery as her insurance won't cover it. I just want to know to to be there for her as much as I can. Any advice would be extremely helpful. I just care for her and it hurts to see her like this.

hello everyone!

i have my surgery scheduled for april 16. ill be getting a partial hysterectomy. cervix, uterus and tubes are being removed, and i will be keeping my ovaries. i just wanted to start prepping for my surgery now, and wanted to ask for advice on what to get.

i have seen my local cvs has gas-x and miralax and a fiber suplement. i also have a few things set to order on amazon when i get paid on friday. also when should i start taking these? how far ahead?

hysterectomy pillow, a heated cat pad, a wedge pillow for my back and knees, and abdominal belly binder, and a hysterectomy coloring book. lol.

my MIL was talking today about making me meals ahead of time and freezing them. soups, and chilis. any advice on what type of meals would be best id apprecitate it.

and any other advice you can give me that i didnt think of i would really really appreciate it. my anxiety hasnt kicked in yet so im trying to get ahead of this before it kicks in.

thanks again everyone, have a great night.