Should I consider a hysterectomy?

I am 46 and have had some heavy periods lately. I'm in perimenopause. The doc asked me if I wanted to have a hysterectomy and I said no. He gave me some pills to make the period less heavy. Has anybody had to make a similar decision and what was the outcome?

You don't need to start off with a hysterectomy. Try the mirena intrauterine system, endometrial ablation unless there is a reason why you need the hysterectomy besides just heavy periods.

Do you have fibroids? That could be causing the heavy periods. If you do have large fibroids I might consider having the hysterectomy. They can be diagnosed with a pelvic ultrasound.
No i have nice light periods. Sorry i couldn't help more.
If you want to know about a hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a woman's uterus. In some cases, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed; this procedure is called an oophorectomy. See an illustration of the female reproductive system.

Each year about 600,000 women in the United States have a hysterectomy. While it continues to be the second most common surgical procedure performed in the United States, this number is declining. Because women now have more treatment choices for reproductive system (gynecologic) conditions, hysterectomy can sometimes be avoided.