I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis, Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids and over 100 Polyps removed in March 05. My GYN is great and wanted to do the hysterectomy, but Blue Cross Blue Shield has these "rules" they have to go by, since so many unnecessary ones are done each year - personally it's BS, and they are just trying to save money.

Basically with the Adenomyosis and Fibroids, I look like I am 6 or 7 months pregnant all the time. Even though I had surgery, these conditions/diseases are persistent and keep returning.

I shudder at the thought of going back on hormones - talk about Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde - wow I'm lucky I could stand to be around myself! After 3 months, I threw them all down the toilet and told them never again.

From the Mayo Clinic (all links here are from Mayo Clinic):

If your pain is severe and menopause is years away, your doctor may suggest removing your uterus (hysterectomy). Removing your ovaries isn't necessary to control adenomyosis.

For younger women with presumed adenomyosis who wish to preserve their fertility, in rare cases it might be possible to surgically remove (excise) only the area in your uterus affected by adenomyosis.

However, this treatment approach is limited to removing adenomyosis that is contained in one area of the uterus and won't work to resolve adenomyosis that is diffusely spread throughout the uterus

Adenomyosis

Signs and symptoms

Among some women, adenomyosis is "silent" — causing no signs or symptoms — or only mildly uncomfortable. But other women with adenomyosis may experience:

• Excessive menstrual bleeding; heavy or prolonged
• Severe cramping or sharp, knife-like pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
• Menstrual cramps that last throughout your period and worsen as you get older
• Pain during intercourse
• Bleeding between periods
• Passing blood clots during your period

Your uterus may increase to double or triple its normal size. Although you might not know if your uterus is enlarged, you may notice that your lower abdomen seems bigger or feels tender.

Forward to 2011 - my symptoms and pain have worsened to the breaking point - my gyn and insurance approved a total hysterectomy due to major changes in my ovaries and fallopian tubes; plus worsening of the other female organs...Now I'm closer to menopause I can't emotionally go through with having it done.