Sorry in advance - gory details
Hi Becca
Big ((((((hugs)))))) to you as I know what you are going through.
I had all sorts of problems - ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, prolapse - not to mention pregnancy related problems, too. I was 40 when the decision was made for a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophrectomy. I had bled constantly for 54 days before then and couldn't wait to get rid of the "trouble maker".
I'm not saying it was an overnight success as the op itself was difficult as I had so many adhesions and bled profusely (borderline for transfusion but didn't need it in the end). It took a good 2.5 years to really get over it but by then my lupie symptoms had manifest themselves and then started another batch of consultants.
As I couldn't have HRT due to previous pulmonary embolism (start of APS????) I hit the menopause before I had even left the hospital. I was having nightly hot flushes and feeling most peculiar. So the consultant prescribed Dixarit (can't remeber the generic name) to control the hot flushes. This is an actylcholine suppressor (messes with the brain) which I had been prescribed about 20 years previously for migraine (ah ha! another APS symptom). They did work as the brunt of the flushes stopped and when I weaned off the Dixarit a year later they didn't come back too badly - probably had only 10 or so before they fizzled out completely.
Didn't have time for mood swings as I tried to get back into work and I don't think I am very prone to them anyway. One positive effect is that they have slowed the growth of hair on my legs (less shaving!) and underarms.
The main positive effect is that I don't have to worry about my "bits" anymore. I don't have the awful pain I used to get prior to my periods and periods that were so awful I would have to take to bed. I didn't have to have any more operations for cyst drainage or removal and I don't have such awful pain going to the toilet (bladder was stuck to uterus and uterus was stuck to bowel). Also I don't have to "be prepared" all the time with sanitary equipment and now can wear more or less what I like with confidence that I am not going to have an "accident". (Plus not having to worry about contraception, either

.)
On the whole it has been for the better, if you discount the autoimmune stuff. There is a lot to take into consideration as it is a major operation. I weighed the pros and cons considerably before going ahead but my gynae sort of made the decision for me as there really was no alternative.
It is a big step but I was very glad I made it.
Wishing you all the very best.
Much love
Judi xx