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ORIGINAL: seleya

Have you considered either UFE, which is really great for those with only a few fibroids, or myomectomy [preferably laproscopic, which is usually possible even with really huge fibroids]? Have you had an MRI to show exactly what you're dealing with? i know far too many doctors look upon uterii as simply baby factories and anyone over the age of forty to simply be lucky no one in the medical establishment hasn't plucked them yet, but there's no need for hysterectomy for a benign condition such as fibroids. There are options, but you often have to push to find doctors who will offer them and even more for competent treatment. Try www.fibroidsecondopinion.com

I am the same age as you and am really glad I had the surgery. By the time I had surgery, I was in constant excruciating pain and dangerously anemic [went from somewhat lumpy but perfectly healthy to nearly bedridden in 6 months of medical mismanagement] My periods since the surgery have both been *normal* - no clots, no double protection, no cramps, no hassles!!! Good luck with whatever you choose.

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ORIGINAL: outhere69

I had the thermal balloon endometrial ablation, and needed some pain meds after.  It was a godsend for me.  I had "the world's falling out of my uterus" type of periods; they'd always been heavy but just got ridiculous in my early 40s.

However, if you have fibroids (I had a polyp that was removed at the same time as the ablation), you may want to explore the myomectomy or that procedure that cuts off the blood supply to the fibroids.  Your gyn (or another, for a second opinion) should know the acceptable approaches.