Just had a scan and they have found two 20 cm fibroids so my womb is like a 25 wk pregnancy. Have an appt with the gynaecologist on 31st Oct and not sure what they will recommend. The sonographer seems to think I will need a hysterectomy which scares me. Has anyone had this or similar and what was the outcome?

I had exactly as you describe, when I lay flat on my tummy in the bath I felt like I was pregnant, it was as firm and as large as when I was pregnant.  I had a hystectomy in March 09 and I can honestly say it was the best thing I ever did. The surgery went really smoothly and having had 2 C sections before I found the recovery from this easier.  The surgeon had to do a vertical cut in my tummy and said he wrestled it out like a rugby ball which made me laugh!  I was in hospital for less than a week, up on my feet the next morning (surgery was about lunchtime) and once staples were removed they discharged me.  I would recommend it, what scares you?  Is it the thought of surgery? 

I think a great deal depends on age here.  I was found to have fibroids when I was in my late 40's.  I didn't suffer to any great extent.  Had always had very heavy periods, but knew they wouldn't last forever.  Knowing that once my hormones changed, the fibroids would shrink, I decided to wait and see.

After all, hysterectomy is pretty major surgery.  I had my last period aged 51, and the deterioration in hormone levels made my fibroids shrink away.  I suffered no ill effects.  So it is definitely an individual decision depending on age and circumstances.

Good point on age Jean, I was 45 and my ovaries (so I menopause naturally) and cervix (to keep pelvic floor intact) were left retained.

I was 50 in Jan. Started menopause about two years ago and have been taking HRT for 3 months because of flushes and sweats.

I had a hysterectomy for fibroids last October (aged 48) and it was definitely the right thing for me.  It is scary, but the benefits are immense.  There is a really good forum worth joining - http://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk.  You will find lots of people with similar worries on there!

All the best with your decision.

> I was 45 and my ovaries (so I menopause naturally) and cervix (to keep pelvic floor intact) were left retained.

That's interesting.  Did your consultant recommend that?  I am not sure I would have chosen to leave ovaries behind beyond the age of 45 or the cervix. 
Some women say keeping the cervix improves sensation for both they and their partner but then others claim the opposite and both these bits of anatomy can bring you "silent" troubles that, personally, having worked in gynaecology for over 20 years, I would be more than glad to be assured of avoiding.

I had one on 17th february this year!!! I am 35, a landscape gardener and a runner. All started at the begining of August last year that I found out a 5cm fyboid was cauasing the problems. I asked for cancellations and hasd a l;aparoscopy to confirm what they all thought in the september, had a chemically induced menopause for 6 months then had the hystorectomy!!!
I would be able to work then have to go home mid after noon as I would be in pain from the fubroid sitting on my leg.
Sionce the hysterectomy my life has go more manic as we are now fighting for custody of my 5 year old step daughter, but my nails have got harder, I am no longer worried if the blood donors will take my blood as went after and my blood dropped straight away so no longer bordering on anemic and I could go on!!!
I am only 35 and yes I do worry I will worry that I wont be able to have kids, especially from the situation now, but it IS the best thing I ever did and I am only 18 weeks ish in and back to work in a very physical job, and I am not worried aboy lifting etc, I also started running 9 weeks in!!!
I had a sub total (kept my cervix as my bladder was sat over it so too difficult to remove) abdominaL hyserectomy!!!
A member on here sent me to a site that kept me sane before and after. They are all lovely on there.
http://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/forums
If you want to know anything just PM me.
You will near deffinatly need an abdominal hysterectomy as they will not be able to do it vaginally.
I am better than I have been for years and more and more things are coming out now that are better than before I thoutght was normal!!!!
Good luck and {{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I was terrified and VERY nearly chickened out. Only reason I didnt was because my partner was there on the ward!!!
But yes, best thing I ever did!!!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Lea xxxxx

My step mother (who is 10 months younger than me) had a hysterectomy for this reason about 5 years ago now (so just over 40 years old). 

Unfortunately she had serious endimetriosis (they had always thought she had IBS) so they were unable to leave her ovaries, so it meant she went straight into menopause.

The sudden loss of hormones and HRT not agreeing with her gave her a lot of trouble.

My Mums cousin (a few years older than me) kept her ovaries and sailed through the hysterectomy which again was needed due to fibroids and endemetriosis that cause excessive serious bleeding during periods, so for her for the first time in her adult life she was free from painful periods.

As removing the uterus will generally bring the menopause forward, at 45 it seems a little pointless to me to leave the ovaries.
Some women do struggle with HRT but the majority do not and therefore achieve all the benefits to the heart etc which, largely, is obtained by the age of 50 anyway.

Seems strange replying to this thread as a guy, but please do whatever the Gynaecologist recommends.  The thought of a hysterectomy is scary, but fibroids can grow and grow and can be dangerous - that's got to be even more scary.  A hysterectomy is a big op for a woman, but it can help to eliminate a lot of risk associated with some gynaecological problems. 

My surgeon told me, and there is evidence and research to support this that leaving the ovaries at 45 reduced the risk of ovarian cancer after a hysterectomy, the ovaries continue to release small amounts of hormones after the menopause giving woman more protection from heart disease, stroke, breast cancer etc.  Ovaries are only left behind if the surgery was required for non-cancerous reasons. The ovaries don't shrivel up and die after menopause they still have a function.  Well that was what he told me, and at the time I researched it and went with his advice.  As regards the cervix he advised leaving it to prevent bladder and bowel problems, damage to surrounding pelvic floor during surgery and sexual function, again it would not be left if there was a history of abnormal smear tests or higher risk of cancer.  I still have smear tests.

That was his advice, I researched all the pros and cons at the time and agreed to it, therefore it is very much a decision between the surgeon and the patient with full medical history known.  This was recommended for me, it's a decision taken on an individual bases for each patient, we are all different, what suited me may not suit the next person. 

He told me removing the whole package was old fashioned and because more is known about the function of the ovaries now after menopause surgeons are less likely the whip the whole lot out!

Fair enough but it seems to me the lowest risk of all for ovarian cancer is to not have any ovaries :)

Very strange reading this, I was in hospital this time last year for various reasons including fibroids and a small cyst on one of my ovaries and an infe/cted ovarian tube
I had my ovaries/tubes removed and the fibroids taken out, only golf ball size apparently, I saw the pictures.
My consultant advised against a hysterectomy as she was of the view that it worked as scaffold holding things in place and a prolapse was more likely in later life.
Strange how different specialists have different views
I was only in over night and then had 6 weeks of being careful, not lifting/driving etc. then in view of my job another 6 weeks off to get back to strength.
This meant I went back to work at a really busy time, christmas, but my employers put me on light duties till January, drove me nuts.
I now feel better then I have for a long time :)