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!

Would they take your ovaries too, Consuela? Or just the uterus?

Looks like I've decided to push the surgery off, if I can, and just do the IUD to stay. My doctor seems ok with that, since my health is otherwise good and I don't have any other risk factors.