So I never post in Bitches, I can't even keep up in Natter these days. But I kind of want some Buffista support.

Turns out I have been diagnosed with complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia, which means (a) that I've been bleeding like crazy for weeks on end; and (b) I'm at at least a 29% risk of developing endometrial cancer in the next several years.

My gyn/oncologist wants me to get a hysterectomy. I am resisting: I'm not even fully menopausal yet, I just had my period last month. Plus even laproscopic surgery means weeks off work and not exercising (and I just adopted an 80-lb dog!). And it's major surgery!

I don't know what to do. If I were already in menopause, it would maybe be an easier decision, but I'm not.

Have any Buffistas had hysterectomies and are willing to talk about it?

Oh Consuela, I am so sorry to hear this. I can think of at least two Buffistas who've had it and will likely chime in with how much happier they are now. And non-Buffistas I know also are much happier, although in one case it led to two adoptions rather than bio-kids, and that wasn't easy for her to fathom at first (very happy ending though, since they're one of the happiest families I know!). I can't take in an 80 lb dog if you elect surgery, guessing M can though. But I can DEFINITELY bring you food and take care of errands and that kind of thing if you end up having surgery and needing support.

Also, I need to meet the new doggie!

Suela, I had mine at 36, a "by the end of the week, no later" sort of thing, so I didn't have a lot of time to work myself up into a state about it, though I did a pretty good job of it anyway. Severely under-diagnosed fibroids and an undiagnosed PID. I was a very very sick puppy and had been soldiering on, because that's what I needed to do, for a long time. And truthfully, it worsened so slowly, it wasn't like, wow, this is a lot worse than last month. It was just a *little* worse than last time. But by the time I couldn't actually continue to function, I wasn't given a choice about the surgery.

The actual procedure turned out to be a lot more serious than they expected, but I healed well, and right on schedule. And when I'd recovered, on pretty much the expected timeline, I felt so much better that I felt like everybody I knew should have a hysterectomy! It was great!

I'm not saying it would be great, but it sounds like a sound prophylactic choice for you, and in your shoes, I would almost certainly go ahead with it. Not that *you* should, but it's what I would do. If I can, I'll be glad to answer any questions for you. I wish you well, whatever choice you make.

Consuela, I have no experience with that, and, therefore, no advice for you. I'm sorry you have to make that decision.

I just talked to my brother, and he's suggested just getting the IUD for now: the slow progesterone release might help to regress the hyperplasia, and give me time to get through menopause on my own timeline. It would mean getting regular biopsies (OUCH), but I wouldn't be out of work for weeks.

I wouldn't even mind so much being out of work, but managing a still-new untrained and pretty strong dog would not be fun.

I'm leaning toward the IUD, especially if it stops me feeling so crappy right now. I'm positive I'm anemic, and occasionally lightheaded.

Consuela, if you decide to go that route, definitely get your iron checked and see if you maybe need some iron infusions, which would really help.

Oh Consuela, I’m so sorry. My mom had a hysterectomy, but I do not have any direct experience. My thoughts are with you, though. I’m sorry you have to make this difficult decision.

I know that Strix had a hysterectomy fairly young too and it made a young difference for her. (Fibroids as i recall.)

Consuela, if you would like, I can ask my sister for her advice about what the differences might be between IUD and hysterectomy.

Hey!

Hysterectomy Girl here! I had mine at 35, after I'd had 1 ovary removed -- the hysterectomy took out my wonky uterus and remaining ovary, and left just a leetle bit of my cervix.

I would go back and have the op again in a hot minute, but I won't lie -- it's major surgery. I was in hospital for 4 days, and then at my folks' house for almost a week. If I had had a large dog, I would have had to have someone to be a dog walker for a few weeks. You will definitely need someone with you for 5-7 days after you go home; you will be sleeping and on good drugs that week...but 3 days post-hospital, I started taking a walk up and down the block, sans dog and slowly.

But recovery was actually pretty good (take the painkillers! Stay on the couch! It WILL take you the entire recovery time to get back on your feet) but at week 6, I went on my first date with Dan.

I started off estrogen on these very slim, clear patches you change every 2 1/2 days, but they were too pricey on our old insurance.

I had insane bleeding and pain and hormonal mood swings for years, so I regret nothing about my hysterectomy. Not. One. Second.

YUterusMV, of course.

If you have any questions, ask away!