Sex after hysterectomy...Just double checking

[UbiCaritas]

There was a 1970s feminist thing about being outraged about male doctors allegedly overdoing hysterectomies. According to the feminist legend (which probably has a fair amount of truth in it), male OB/GYNs had a tendency to run to take out the uterus for any and all gynecological problems.

I don’t know how much truth there was to that complaint, but seeing as how persistent and painful “female trouble” is, I see the temptation. Presumably, the ability to use the pill therapeutically has removed a lot of the motivation to make the hysterectomy the first stop.

Ah, that could explain it.

Also, in the 60s/70s, a hysterectomy would have been a much Bigger Deal in terms of both surgery and recovery than it is today. (Not that it’s a joke today, either.) No laparascopic incisions, so the incision would have been pretty big, with all the accompanying fun of recovery. Of the two women I know who had them relatively recently (one for uncontrollable bleeding, one for persistent prolapse), one had it done vaginally, and the other through a small incision in her naval; much easier recovery than a, say, 6" abdominal incision.

Plus, I’ll bet that they didn’t have the long-acting wound anesthetic then that they have now, so that first week or so would be ghastly. After my CS, I was told that my doc had put something like that in the area of the incision, with the result that I (and I am no martyr!) didn’t need anything stronger than ibuprofen after the first few days, and only once had any sort of pain that I would describe as being worse than mild discomfort.

So, yeah. Aside from the quite real menopausal and psychological factors of having a complete hysterectomy, I can see why women would be angry about having that as the first option for female problems.

 

[Kelfa28]

There was a 1970s feminist thing about being outraged about male doctors allegedly overdoing hysterectomies. According to the feminist legend (which probably has a fair amount of truth in it), male OB/GYNs had a tendency to run to take out the uterus for any and all gynecological problems.

I don’t know how much truth there was to that complaint, but seeing as how persistent and painful “female trouble” is, I see the temptation. Presumably, the ability to use the pill therapeutically has removed a lot of the motivation to make the hysterectomy the first stop.

Not too far fetch when you factor in the mastectomies that were done and how invasive, debilitating and damaging they were.

 

[Convert_in_99]

Also, in the 60s/70s, a hysterectomy would have been a much Bigger Deal in terms of both surgery and recovery than it is today. (Not that it’s a joke today, either.) No laparascopic incisions, so the incision would have been pretty big, with all the accompanying fun of recovery. Of the two women I know who had them relatively recently (one for uncontrollable bleeding, one for persistent prolapse), one had it done vaginally, and the other through a small incision in her naval; much easier recovery than a, say, 6" abdominal incision.

This is what I will be having done. Because they have to operate on my colon and intestines for bowel resectioning as well. It’s going to be a major surgery with a huge vertical incision. Fun, fun, fun!

 

[Convert_in_99]

Why do you post this question because with all you have been through you know the answer more than most. I am concerned about you. Your posts have been roller coasters lately and there is palpable frustration and anger in them. Please know that we are praying for you.

Because I have scrupulosity and often second guess my memory or judgement.

As for the rollercoaster posts, I blame the scary high levels of estrogen my body has right now. That and not being able to go anywhere or do anything. I have way too much time to think right now. . The anger is mostly because honestly, who wants to go through this ordeal. Not me!

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Because I have scrupulosity and often second guess my memory or judgement.

As for the rollercoaster posts, I blame the scary high levels of estrogen my body has right now. That and not being able to go anywhere or do anything. I have way too much time to think right now. . The anger is mostly because honestly, who wants to go through this ordeal. Not me!

Hormones and anger aside you logically know the answer and you can read it you yourself. These threads are no t good for you.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

As for the hysterectomies the women I know of who have done it have not trusted the tubal. Then they find a willing doctor who cites a medical problem that may or may not be a valid problem and they do the procedure. This is also common if they “are already in there”.
Is it really so hard to believe given the number of doctors in California who hand out pot scripts? Do all of you trust the medical industry so much when it comes to birth and life issues? Has no one seen the planned parenthood videos? Why is this so hard to believe?

 

[Xantippe]

As for the hysterectomies the women I know of who have done it have not trusted the tubal. Then they find a willing doctor who cites a medical problem that may or may not be a valid problem and they do the procedure. This is also common if they “are already in there”.
Is it really so hard to believe given the number of doctors in California who hand out pot scripts? Do all of you trust the medical industry so much when it comes to birth and life issues? Has no one seen the planned parenthood videos? Why is this so hard to believe?

There’s very little possible risk to the pot-scrip doc. There’s a whole heck of a lot of legal, financial and professional risk for the doctor that performs a clearly unnecessary surgery. If something were to go wrong, it could look really bad in court that the doctor chose to do a medically pointless surgery.

An abortionist also has the major advantage that his or her clients aren’t in a good position to take legal action. So of course the average clinic-based abortionist is going to be shadier than the average OB/GYN with hospital privileges.

And the clinic abortionist and the reputable OB/GYN with hospital privileges really aren’t the same thing–the Texas abortion law that you’ve probably heard of really put a kink in the abortion industry by requiring that an abortion clinic doctor have admitting privileges somewhere within a 30-mile radius.

“The admitting privileges provision closed about half of the 41 abortion facilities that were operating in the state before the restrictions went into effect. The abortion providers’ attorneys have said there are 19 abortion facilities remaining in the state.”

texastribune.org/2015/07/02/state-says-supreme-court-did-not-suspend-admitting/

That stat suggests that there isn’t a close relationship between Texas abortion clinics and mainstream Texas medical providers.

Also, US OB/GYN culture is very risk averse.

 

[catholicmamajoy]

As for the hysterectomies the women I know of who have done it have not trusted the tubal. Then they find a willing doctor who cites a medical problem that may or may not be a valid problem and they do the procedure. This is also common if they “are already in there”.
Is it really so hard to believe given the number of doctors in California who hand out pot scripts? Do all of you trust the medical industry so much when it comes to birth and life issues? Has no one seen the planned parenthood videos? Why is this so hard to believe?

What you have stated here is not that hard to believe. If there is another issue that could qualify the patient for such a surgery (even if it’s not a common one that is usually treated by a hysterectomy) I can see where an OB/GYN may go ahead and do one; especially performing a vaginal hyster that without complications, involves a 23 hour post-op stay, especially if the patient’s insurance is rather liberal in approving surgeries over other treatments. From what I read on your other post, it did seem as though you knew several people who simply told their OB that they didn’t want a tubal ligation to use as a permanent means of contraception, they wanted a hysterectomy, so the OB did one for them. I was just going on what I read in that post and my background in that area of healthcare. Since you have elaborated on this, I now see this is not the complete case here.

 

[pianistclare]

The combination of over-thinking and continual questioning coupled with the usual CAF “the sky is falling” replies are not helping you dear.
Be at peace.
Remember that we are ALL praying for you, and that the Lord in His mercy, holds you in the palm of his hand.
Go to Mass, receive Eucharist worthily, and wait.
God will act.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

There’s very little possible risk to the pot-scrip doc. There’s a whole heck of a lot of legal, financial and professional risk for the doctor that performs a clearly unnecessary surgery. If something were to go wrong, it could look really bad in court that the doctor chose to do a medically pointless surgery.

An abortionist also has the major advantage that his or her clients aren’t in a good position to take legal action. So of course the average clinic-based abortionist is going to be shadier than the average OB/GYN with hospital privileges.

And the clinic abortionist and the reputable OB/GYN with hospital privileges really aren’t the same thing–the Texas abortion law that you’ve probably heard of really put a kink in the abortion industry by requiring that an abortion clinic doctor have admitting privileges somewhere within a 30-mile radius.

“The admitting privileges provision closed about half of the 41 abortion facilities that were operating in the state before the restrictions went into effect. The abortion providers’ attorneys have said there are 19 abortion facilities remaining in the state.”

texastribune.org/2015/07/02/state-says-supreme-court-did-not-suspend-admitting/

That stat suggests that there isn’t a close relationship between Texas abortion clinics and mainstream Texas medical providers.

Also, US OB/GYN culture is very risk averse.

I’m not saying it is good medical practice. Only that it is done.

 

[DeniseNY]

The combination of over-thinking and continual questioning coupled with the usual CAF “the sky is falling” replies are not helping you dear.
Be at peace.
Remember that we are ALL praying for you, and that the Lord in His mercy, holds you in the palm of his hand.
Go to Mass, receive Eucharist worthily, and wait.
God will act.

 

[Xantippe]

I’m not saying it is good medical practice. Only that it is done.

I think you’d have to look high and low to find an OB/GYN who’d be willing to do a hysterectomy for birth control when there’s a simpler, safer way to do basically the same thing.

From everything I’ve heard, OB/GYN is a very risk-averse rule-oriented medical culture–and for very good reason.

opposingviews.com/i/hanging-up-my-gloves

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I think you’d have to look high and low to find an OB/GYN who’d be willing to do a hysterectomy for birth control when there’s a simpler, safer way to do basically the same thing.

From everything I’ve heard, OB/GYN is a very risk-averse rule-oriented medical culture–and for very good reason.

opposingviews.com/i/hanging-up-my-gloves

Be thankful you live somewhere that rings true!

 

[Xantippe]

Be thankful you live somewhere that rings true!

Oh, I am.

 

[Kelfa28]

Oh, I am.

So am I.

I live in one of the most liberal states in the US.

I’d also argue that my state has the best health care in the country, if not the world.

Best hospitals, best doctors, best medical schools and the best care.

Like I said…I’ve never heard of anyone getting a hysterectomy for birth control reasons. Tubals…yes. Hysterectomy…no.

 

[bitterhope]

It does at times happen for birth control even now. I was offered a hysterectomy after I lost my twins last year because the dr knew as a Catholic I would not agree to getting my tubes tied and I already told him I was not interested in birth control pills. He attempted to get me to consent by bringing up trouble with my cycle (heavy bleeding but never anemia or anything like that) and the fact that my husband and I have no faith in NFP. He knew that hysterectomies are allowed by the Church and “just about anything is a medical issue you know”. He even counseled me on what to tell my husband, priest and family as for the reason it was necessary. Of course I turned him down but I’m sure others have taken drs up on it. There are reasons that it is stressed that a medical necessity must exist for a hysterectomy and that it an not be used for birth control. And who knows what happens in other countries with or without the consent of women. Not all drs are as wonderful as they are made out to be on these boards. Especially secular physicians. No one should blindly trust and follow their advice without question. There are reasons most people are advised to receive second and third opinions. Not all drs are trustworthy, good, moral or even caring. Not all drs follow the recommendations or even the law. Some are money hungry and surgery tends to be a rather large bill. I’m glad most people have the ability to choose their own drs but mine are pretty much chosen for me by the military health system. That particular dr is a quite well known civilian maternal-fetal health specialist at a well known university hospital. I’m nearly positive he has offered this to many others over the years.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

I don’t know, in my state OB/GYN’s carry the highest malpractice insurance rates compared to other doctors.

I’ve been monitored through miscarriages in order to avoid D and C. (by monitor, I mean check hormone levels, and sonograms to see if any tissue was still present)

I’ve had cysts monitored and measured and compared to the previous months in order to not have to have surgery to remove them.

Even now, at 46 when I spoke to my doctor regarding heavy bleeding, hysterectomy didn’t even come up.

So maybe it’s location?

 

[Xantippe]

It does at times happen for birth control even now. I was offered a hysterectomy after I lost my twins last year because the dr knew as a Catholic I would not agree to getting my tubes tied and I already told him I was not interested in birth control pills. He attempted to get me to consent by bringing up trouble with my cycle (heavy bleeding but never anemia or anything like that) and the fact that my husband and I have no faith in NFP. He knew that hysterectomies are allowed by the Church and “just about anything is a medical issue you know”. He even counseled me on what to tell my husband, priest and family as for the reason it was necessary. Of course I turned him down but I’m sure others have taken drs up on it. There are reasons that it is stressed that a medical necessity must exist for a hysterectomy and that it an not be used for birth control. And who knows what happens in other countries with or without the consent of women. Not all drs are as wonderful as they are made out to be on these boards. Especially secular physicians. No one should blindly trust and follow their advice without question. There are reasons most people are advised to receive second and third opinions. Not all drs are trustworthy, good, moral or even caring. Not all drs follow the recommendations or even the law. Some are money hungry and surgery tends to be a rather large bill. I’m glad most people have the ability to choose their own drs but mine are pretty much chosen for me by the military health system. That particular dr is a quite well known civilian maternal-fetal health specialist at a well known university hospital. I’m nearly positive he has offered this to many others over the years.

You were 35 or 36 at the time?

That doctor was really taking his career in his hands to consider doing an unnecessary hysterectomy and sending a 35 or 36 year old woman into premature menopause. Some ambulance chaser could have sued his pants off–and rightly so.

 

[Xantippe]

Here’s an ambulance-chasing website explaining how to sue doctors for unnecessary hysterectomies.

“In order to hold the doctor legally liable for medical malpractice, the patient (usually through his or her attorney and a retained medical expert witness) will show how the doctor deviated from the accepted medical standard of care in either determining whether a hysterectomy was necessary or in obtaining informed consent. The attorney and the medical expert will first walk the jury through what a reasonably skilled physician would have done under similar circumstances and then show how the doctor’s chosen course of treatment in the instant case failed to meet that standard.”

alllaw.com/articles/nolo/medical-malpractice/legal-liability-unnecessary-hysterectomy.html

So, the hysterectomy for birth control could really put the doctor offering it into legal jeopardy.

 

[Listener]

You were 35 or 36 at the time?

That doctor was really taking his career in his hands to consider doing an unnecessary hysterectomy and sending a 35 or 36 year old woman into premature menopause. Some ambulance chaser could have sued his pants off–and rightly so.

Heavy bleeding can be a valid reason for a hysterectomy. The doctor can remove your uterus but leave your ovaries and tubes in place. You will continue to ovulate, and you will have menopause in your fifties like everyone else. I speak from experience, since that’s the way it happened to me.