WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for December, 1998: Re: moval of cervix with uterus

Re: moval of cervix with uterus

From: Harriet (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 30 Dec 1998 10:59:02 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: William D. McIntosh, MD: "Re: moval of cervix with uterus"

>At Tue, 29 Dec 1998, Joanne wrote:
>>
>>I have a fibroid on my uterus (both about 6.5 cm in size). It causes
>>pressure and discomfort in my abdomen. So as a 41 year old woman, i am
>>having a hysterectomy. I am leaving the ovaries intact, but cannot
>>decide whether to remove the cervix. I have had abnormal pap smears and
>>a cone biopsy (which was negative). Should I remove the cervix as well?

At Tue, 29 Dec 1998, William D. McIntosh, MD wrote: >
>There are people who would advise you both ways, but with a history of
>abnormal pap smears and a cone biopsy in the past, the question you need
>to ask yourself is this; is preserving something which is most likely
>nonfunctional (I know some would argue with this, but there is little
>convincing evidence for that point of view), and is very possibly going
>to be the source of future problems, even future surgery, do I really
>need this?
>

Hi Joanne, Here's a patient's perspective. I had a hysterectomy for fibroids, kept my ovaries, and kept my cervix. I have no family history of cervicl cancer and no history of abnormal Paps so I saw no reason to remove it (which has led to the odd result that I still get a one-day mini-period every month!) I know this is a certain risk and of course I will keep getting Paps every year. My surgeon was very concerned that I realize the necessity for this, and thus had a modest preference to remove it.

However, I have to say that reading your post and thinking what I would have done in your shoes, I agree with Dr McIntosh--under those circumstances, I think I would have let them remove the cervix as well. I can't honestly say that keeping my cervix made a difference in any physical sense, and I do have this odd side effect. While I have no regrets that I kept it in my case, if I'd had the additional worry of a previous abnormal Pap, I wouldn't have hesitated in removing it.

Good luck! Getting my hyst. has made a very positive difference to my life, and I hope it will work for you too.

-- harriet

--
Harriet Vane
hdvane@hotmail.com

Next message: Andrea: "Confused!"
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In reply to: William D. McIntosh, MD: "Re: moval of cervix with uterus"

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