Do you know that once you have a hysterectomy it is still advised to have a regular annual with your doctor? That’s right; it is still advised to have an annual check up after having a hysterectomy.
I find that I hear mixed answers when this comes up. It sounds like some doctors don’t think it is necessary when others do. Some think every two years while others suggest coming in once a year. My OB/GYN does suggest having a regular annual even if your cervix is removed.
What is the Reason for Having an Annual After Having a Hysterectomy?
Even if you have had your cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries removed, there are still other body parts that we need to have regular exams on. We still have breasts, a vagina, and a vulva. And for those of us that have not had our ovaries removed, it is important to check in on them.
Even though the risks for cervical and uterine cancer are reduced or non existent once those things have been removed, we are still at risk of developing vaginal cancer. And, if you’ve still got your ovaries, they can also still be at risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Those that had issues with endometriosis and were able to remove those affected areas can still redevelop it in the future. Once our tubes are removed, our ovaries sort of “float” around and find a spot to hang out. I don’t know about you but I want to make sure they are all good every so often! We also have our hormones to contend with too and heading in to have that yearly exam will help your doctor monitor all of your symptoms you might be experiencing.
What Does the Mayo Clinic Say?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “It depends”. They state that a “PAP test, also called a Pap smear, is a routine screening test for early diagnosis of cervical cancer. If you had a partial hysterectomy … your health care provider will likely recommend continued Pap tests. Similarly, if you had a partial or total hysterectomy-when both uterus and cervix are removed-for a cancerous or precancerous condition, regular Pap tests may still be recommended as an early detection tool to monitor for a new cancer or precancerous change.” They go on to say that women over 65 can stop doing routine Pap test screening whether they have had a hysterectomy or not if their history has been normal with normal test results.
How Did My First Post Hysterectomy Check Up Go?
So, for me personally, I am not headed in to have a Pap test but just for an annual to check out the rest of the parts I still have. I recently just went into my doctors office for mine. I had my hysterectomy about 2 years ago and had only been back in for the post surgery appointments and knew I needed to just get myself in.
It was such an easy appointment not having to do the Pap! My doctor always makes me so comfortable. She is one of those doctors that keeps things light and to the point but she is funny and really cares for her patients. I’ve definitely gone to my share of GYNOs over the years and I am so happy to have found her. I love her way of “treating the patients not numbers” in reference to hormones and checking those hormone numbers. I always leave her office feeling heard, educated, and something funny to share.
The Hot Flashes Even When I am Naked Ordeal
This appointment was no different! Of course I’ve stripped my clothes off and folded them neatly in the chair to the right (don’t know why but I got to cover up my bra and panties!). I’m sitting on the exam table with that crepe, stiff, sheet thing wrapped over me.
In the past, I would have been freezing but that is not the case anymore. Nope. I’m sitting there stressing about how “wet” my body feels and not the good kind of wet either. I’m basically naked having a hot flash from hell. I’m feeling the lines of dripping sweat gathering in my arse crack and around those larger lower lips. Yep, freaking out a little because I really don’t want to spread eagle for my doctor with sweat dripping all over there. I am also trying to wipe the pools of sweat that have now gathered under my boobs. It is not working though.
Of course the first thing she examines when she gets started are my boobs. So embarrassed. I’m telling her sorry! Just melting to death over her. After that she takes her rightful seat on her stool at the bottom of the exam table and tells me to scoot down. So I scoot. I make a little noise as I head down because I am so sweaty and we all know how the tables are. She then asks me “Did you have an accident?”. I immediately start to scoot back up a little bit thinking she’s insinuating I gassed her on my way down which I DID NOT!
It Was The Table I Swear!
It was the table that made that noise which is why I was scooting back up and down again to freaking prove it. So as I’m scooting like a dog with his ass on the carpet, I reply, “What do you mean? I don’t think so!”. She kinda glances my way and lightly touches my right shin and says “were you in a car accident or some other kind of accident? What happened to your leg?”, her voice is full of concern. Oh, that makes more sense. I am feeling relieved that she didn’t think the noise when I slid down was me gassing her.
I then go into a short version of how my giant dog was lunging at another dog on the path at the lake. How my sorry self was wearing flip flops that were wet from the water and I fell on my ass. My husband was carrying all our stuff since he is always the pack mule. The only thing I could think to do was plant my ass on the ground. In the process I hurt my leg pretty bad and still had a ton of bruises and scrapes. At least my dog didn’t eat another dog though. Gotta work on that. But, in his defense, the dog was approaching us and had gotten too close so he reacted by lunging. Anyway, moving on.
What About Sex Post Hysterectomy?
Since having my hysterectomy I have had a few moments when I thought I may have done a little damage to my cuff. I mean, sex is healthy and we like to have healthy sex. So I then let her know I wanted to make sure all was still well to which she assured me it was. Thank the good Lord! This of course leads to a short discussion on sex.
I told her that I felt like I was not that into it lately and less than motivated. Once we get into it, all is well but getting to that point can be a challenge sometimes. She let me know that it is normal. She is the best at talking things out and this was no different.
Her explanation was about how men think about sex all the time and are pretty much always wanting it and down to do it but women need to be warmed up and convinced we want it sometimes. You know, like when your guy kisses with some extra passion, maybe blows on your ear a little, nuzzles your neck, just makes you want it. That’s what I was thinking anyway as she was talking to me so I said, “Yep! That totally makes sense”.
She then asked me if I knew where sex went to die? Ummm, no. I just looked at her a little confused and kinda shook my head. Her reply, “that’s what happens to sex in a lesbian relationship because it isn’t something that women think about like men”. I was dying! We both laughed, keep in mind I’m still in the stirrups so that in itself is hilarious. Moving on again.
How an Estro Patch Can Be Amazing After a Hysterectomy
Anyway, after wrapping my exam up and getting up out of the stirrups, we discussed a few more things. I had been struggling with lots of hot flashes and night sweats. The kind of night sweats that make you think you peed your pants when you wake up dripping wet everywhere. I really wanted to be over them already. She ended up prescribing me an estro patch. It is a small clear patch that goes on your skin, usually in your lower belly, and you change it twice a week. Let me just say that it has helped so much! I have hardly any hot flashes and can’t remember the last time I had a night sweat. It has also helped me focus a little better, sleep better, just feeling better for sure.
Alright, well this might have been a bit personal to share and definitely TMI. However, I hope it made you smile and shed some light on heading in for that annual after a hysterectomy. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about things that might help with your peri or post menopause symptoms! Enjoy your day:)
Talk to you soon!
Sarah ~ Wife at Midlife