Thinking of Getting a Hysterectomy

About 9 months ago I had an ablation done to help with my flow, but my OB told me it would only help with cramps about 50%.
Now it has helped with my flow...but it's weird.
It will start normal, disappear day 3 & return day 4 then spot for another 2-3 days. It seems to be longer! During this time I still have terrible cramps even when spotting. Sometimes it wakes me at night & of course it makes me miserable!

Then I have a young DD who has not yet synced her cycle to mine so I get this "sympathy" period in addition to my regular period! I spot & get cramps for 2-3 days. My OB ignored this.
Not sure what it's going to be like when my other DD starts hers in the next 2 yrs.

So I feel like I'm sick of it. The OB said he won't do another ablation, but if I can't put up with it anymore then I'm looking at a hysterectomy, but my ovaries would be left. Then I will not have cramps guaranteed.

But the recovery is 6-8 wks.
So I'm really confused as to what to do. I'm 47 & this could go on for a lot longer.
Would love to hear from women who have had a hysterectomy & your feelings about it. Thanks!

I had a hysterectomy at 36. Best thing I ever did. I still have my ovaries so no chemical menopause but no more heavy bleeding, irregular bleeding, cramping, etc.

There is a website called hystersisters that has tons of information and people going through the process from trying to decide to post-op.

The healing time is long but it went fairly quickly. I was tired and so I didn't feel like doing a lot anyway which made it easier. I was a slower healer, I think because I couldn't take anti-inflammatories with the lithium I was taking and that meant the swelling took a while to go away. But even so by 6 weeks I was fine, just a bit puffy still.

I wouldn't do it except as a last resort but if you've reached that point it is a good thing. I also have less mood swings (I'm rapid cycling bipolar) since my surgery.

So update. And maybe some more of you can respond.
My cycle won't stay consistent; it jumps around. I used to be able to tell if it was coming bec of back pain for a day or 2. Now I don't have back pain but very intense cramping in my ovaries & the last 3 months it's only been on the right side.
This past wk it started. Woke me in my sleep. I even had to vomit from the intense pain & had trouble walking! I was bent over.
Every month it seems to intensify. I barely have a flow & I know I should be grateful for that, but this pain every month is just rediculous. A friend gave me a 5mg of Percocet & it really only took the edge off.
I'm frustrated.
So I was thinking about trying to schedule the surgery for after thanksgiving if I can make it that long.

Another issue I've been looking at in my incontinence. I did therapy to help it & it did work about 60% improvement. I can make it to the bathroom fine & I feel I have strengthened this muscle again.
But it's not where I want it or would like to have it.
I still can't dance, jog or really play with my kids w/o worrying about having an accident. Even when I have a series of sneezes!
So I'm looking at combining these surgeries. Hopefully. All hinges on insurance really.
Has anyone had this surgery or any success in this area?

Thanks ladies!!!!

I had a hysterectomy over 16 years ago due to my being anemic after every period , I actually had a note from my doctor explaining why I would miss 2-3 days a month , I literally could not leave my house. I needed numerous blood transfusions it was so bad

Was the best thing in the world for me.

It's major surgery but to be honest just knowing I would never go through monthly hell reminded me that this surgery pain will heal up.

I was off work for 4 weeks no lifting over 5 lbs and I had a desk job so I went back half days for a week.

I also had my bladder tacked up a bit is what my surgeon told me, that was a huge help too.

One thing he did make sure I knew was to get up and walk walk walk and standing straight up, no bent over at all.

I was about your age when I had mine done. However, since I have cancer history in my family the GYN took everything from the cervix on up. I went through menopause and it was crazy for a year or two. I'm now settled down and other than an occasional hot flash, I'm okay.

I also have stress incontinence. I has supposed to have therapy for it but that didn't happen. I can still hold out, but jogging and such are out unless I wear a pad.

I believe hysterectomies can be done laparoscopically nowadays. I had an ovary and Fallopian tubes removed 3 years ago and the procedure was really simple.

Yes, it can be 100% laparoscopic (I think this means the cervix is left intact) or a combination. Mine was laparoscopic for freeing the uterus and tubes but they removed my cervix with an incision and pulled everything out through it.