Hi, my mom is not that computer savvy, so I told her I would do this for her. Five years ago or so my mom started having really heavy periods that would last for a long time. She went to the doctor a little over a year ago and found that she had some fibroids in her uterus. My aunt (my moms sister in law) had been going through the same situation and around Christmas time had an emergency hysterectomy. She says she's never felt better and told my mom she should think about having it done. My mom is confused, she wants to go through menopause naturally if she can, but isn't sure what to do. She also doesn't know what will happen to her fibroids if she goes through it naturally. I know these are questions she should ask her doctor, but she either forgets or feels that she doesn't ask the questions right so they don't answer her questions right. I have gone to the doctor with her before so I can ask her questions for her, but now I live three hours away and can't really do that. So here are her questions.

1. when does it become necessary for a woman to have a hysterectomy?
2. if she doesn't what could happen to her fibroids? (could they get bigger, multiply)
3. how do you know what stage of menopause you are in?

If anybody could help her out. A little bit any advice I could relay to her would be great thanks.

My mom had fibroids in her uterus and had to have a hysterectomy. But she still went through menopause symptoms like cranky all the time, hot flashes, etc... It was not fun to be around... I don't know when it becomes necessary to have a hysterectomy though, she should really ask her doctor when/if she should get one. Goodluck

That brings up a good point. I know that when you have a hysterectomy it puts you right into menopause, so that's one of the reasons she wants go go through it naturally, she doesn't want it to be that sudden.

I don't think my mom went straight into having menopause. If she did, I didn't notice until quite a few years later. I don't know maybe I just didn't realize she was going through it right away.