WWTRPD? Keep your cervix or kiss it goodbye?

My Dr. told me that if he was able he would leave at least part of the cervix because that would keep me from going into early menopause. I was all up for that, so I prayed that he would be able to leave part of it in. And he was! I don't want to deal with the menopause stuff before my time!

I was offered a vag hyst (also had large fibroids) and that means they take the cervix too. After weighing all options, I decided I didn't need it and a bonus is that I no longer need pap smears!

As far as "sensation", there's nothing worse than taking a hit to the cervix IMO so good riddance. Everything healed up just fine and it's business as usual

I recall melissa gave me (and all of us who have ever posted about these issues!) some excellent advice and that helped me decide to go with the vag hyst. No regrets at all.

ETA I did keep my ovaries so am not menopausal yet, as far as I know.

My doctor was just going to take one ovary. I told her while she was in there take everything I didn't need. She took it all. Good thing too. My Mother's doctor left her ovaries, and she passed away from Ovarian Cancer. We didn't have a history of any cancer in our family, but we do now. Early Menopause for me and no more pap's!

I had mine removed since that was the main thing giving me the trouble. As for losing sensation during intercourse, I haven't noticed any difference whatsoever

Yep 

There is no difference noted here

I really think this is a very individual situation. This decision should also take into account your personal HPV and pap smear history. If there is a history of dysplasia and HPV, I would definitely take the cervix.

The biggest issues with leaving the cervix are twofold. One is the possibility of monthly spotting from endometrium that might be in the cervix. The other is that leaving the cervix behind means some ligaments are not cut. These ligaments provide support to the vagina. If they are already stretched out, I'd probably take the cervix out. If not, there is the thought that leaving the cervix will provide more support to the vagina.

The talk on orgasms and husbands feeling it is just that, mostly talk. Some say things are better. I've never heard a woman who really needed a hyst who regretted it, especially women with excessive bleeding or very symptomatic fibroids.

I went back and forth on it up until the morning of the surgery and didn't decide until the last time my doctor checked on me before doing the procedure. In the end I chose to keep it to avoid a vaginal prolapse. My doctor also said it's easier to detect any abnormalities with the cervix than my ovaries or uterus so keeping it won't be so risky. 

I would keep it. I have read some things that indicate it may affect sexual satisfaction to remove it. Cancer? Maybe. Fibroids? I'd keep it. But then I would try embolization before hysterectomy if I could.

I've never heard of this before. Isn't it the ovaries that produce the hormones? I was keeping one ovary so maybe it just wasn't discussed.

They took out my cervix with my hysterectomy (for fibroids) but left the ovaries. I did not go through menopause. I do not miss my cervix and neither does my husband. It didn't affect orgasms. I was happy to have it out. One less kind of cancer to worry about.

So if they take the cervix you don't need Paps anymore? So how do they test for Ovarian Cancer without a pap? Or is hat just for cervical cancer? I go in next week to talk with my OB/GYN about surgical options for my fibroids and polyps (I have gone through the biopsy, ultrasound and salt water ultrasound.)