If you suffer with fibroids, here are the questions you should ask yourself before deciding on your course of treatment:

• What are my symptoms?
• What am I seeking relief from?
• Are these symptoms tolerable to me?
• What does the doctor think is causing my condition?
• What are my preferences and feelings — about having a child, keeping my uterus, premature menopause?
• What are my treatment options?
• Are less invasive procedures possible?
• Will some form of limited treatment help me?
• Would some kind of medication help?
• Can I wait to see if the problem clears up on its own?
• What if I don't do anything?
• Are there some options the doctor doesn't know about?
• Where can I get more information about my condition?
• What are the risks and benefits to me?
• Will there be pain, and how can it be handled?

If you're considering a hysterectomy, here are the questions you should ask:

• How long will I be hospitalized?
• How long is recovery?
• Will I need help with chores and children for awhile?
• How will I feel afterwards?
• Will it impair my sex life? For how long?
• What will be done exactly?
• Is it vaginal or abdominal?
• Which organs will be removed?
• Will I have a scar?
• What anesthesia will be used?
• What are the risks?
• What will it cost me?

What else you should know about hysterectomy:

While hysterectomy is almost always effective in stopping excessive bleeding and resolving pain or urinary symptoms, there can be complications, including post-operative bleeding and fever.

In addition:

• Recuperation can take several weeks.
• You will no longer have periods or be able to get pregnant.
• You may have menopause-like symptoms.

Types of hysterectomy:

• Subtotal — Only the uterus is removed. Ovaries, cervix and fallopian tubes remain.
• Total or "simple." — The uterus and cervix go, but not the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
• Radical or "bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy." — Everything goes — uterus, cervix, ovaries and tubes.