I agree about hysterectomy being a last resort.
If you chose to go the route of a hysterectomy, I'd advise you to do lots of research on the subject and discuss with other woman on boards about thier experiences.
things happen to our bodies after having them and the doctors can't telll you this because each person is different.
I had a total hyster back in oct of 05 and I suffered for a littel while with the changes. not until I went on a hormone patch did I feel much better.
you lose all your precious oils for our skin, your moods shift and fluctuate, your intimate life might change due to changes, some gain extra weight and don't find it simple to lose it like before. I can go on and on with the negative things but there's also positive to it also.
IF you are suffering daily and it would benefit your health to have a hyster, than by all means it may be a good idea for you. especially since your thru with having a family. even though you're only 40 you're still producing important hormones. you still have years before you hit full blown menopause. full blown menopause is when you stop your menstrul cycle for good. the process takes years. it doesn't just happen over night.
the recovery period is long, our expectations of getting back on our feet takes a while being it's major surgery. the intestines and our body in general go thru changes just from having surgery and being under anesthesia.
it's up to you and your dr whether you should go that route.
I understand the pain and discomfort of having chronic ovarain cysts monthly. they're extremely painful and it hurst to walk when they're enlarged and they can even burst and wind you up in the ER.
not a fun experience. it's happened to me.
plus with fibroids, they can continue growing to the point where you will have heavy bleeding and can cause you to become anemic.
I wish you the best on your decison.
good lucky,
sincerely,
Linda