Dear Doctor, I am a 49 year old woman with several fibroids,

Dear Doctor, I am a 49 year old woman with several fibroids, the largest 7-8 cm. My uterus is the size of a 4 month pregnancy. My doctor says that a hysterectomy is needed. My only complaint is that I feel “full” much of the time. However, aside from this complaint, I have no other symptoms. I don’t want a hysterectomy! The cure sounds much worse than the disease and I am very concerned about what life will be like after a hysterectomy. Why can’t my fibroids just be removed? Or can they be left alone since I may be close to menopause? What are my options besides having to endure the risk and pain of a hysterectomy. Thank you for your input.

Dear Lisa-
Thank you for your email.
We dont recommend any women leave their fibroids untreated when they are symptommatic…your “fullness” is a symptom.
IF you at any time during your menopausal cycle, require natural or synthetic HRT-your fiboids will start to grow again. This means..surgery at a later age, when healing and recovery is slower.
You can definitely have just your tumors removed, if you find the right doctor. There is no need to remove your uterus for fibroid tumor disease.
We would recommend you have surgery to get your tumors removed but have your uterus reconstructed,and preserved for your natural progression into menopause, your normal sexual response and to prevent future bladder or bowel prolapse.
good luck with your decision