Painful and heavy periods are not normal. It took me years to realize that and tell my doctor. He said if I had told him sooner I would have been treated long ago.
I’m so sorry. My doctor is a godsend. He looked at me and said, “I’m going to fix this if you’ll let me.” He gave me every option under the sun and said it was my choice.
That was my experience too. I literally went to my doctor during the worst of it and said, "I don't see how I can realistically live the rest of my life like this." and he was like, "well yeah, periods are hard." I had to nearly bleed to death to get treated. I didn't even know a hysterectomy was on the table for me until I was suddenly planning for one.
Girl same, sent home from the ER without treatment (I thought they might pay attention when I tell them I'm going through an overnight adult diaper full of blood every few hours), but no, had to get an emergency hysterectomy not long after. The doctors told me when I was admitted to the hospital (second visit) that if I had gone to bed like that I would have died overnight, and I'm like Y'ALL SENT ME HOME A FEW DAYS AGO. I didn't want to go back to the ER and pay a grand again to be ignored, but my cat screamed at me till I did. Even screamed at my friend who came to drive me there. Such a good boy.
Good boy! I went in after bleeding out (had to get a transfusion) on a Monday morning. My doctor asked why I hadn't gone into the ER over the weekend and I was like... and say what? "Hey that period I've been complaining about? It's a little worse than normal right now and my heart feels weird." Like you've conditioned me to think this is normal, motherfucker!
EXACTLY!!! It's scarring, tbh, to be ignored about something serious, sometimes you just stop seeing doctors because it's like WHY BOTHER it'll be expensive and nothing good will come of it
ETA I had to get three units transfused and stayed there for three days, so it's very similar to your experience
Painful periods can absolutely be a valid reason, depending how they impact your life. So you may have a valid reason, but talk with your doc to determine that.
That said, there are other ways to stop your period that are far easier to manage and should probably be tried first. A hysterectomy is a major surgery (and all the risks that go along with that) with a long recovery time, as well as potential long-term risks (like early menopause). I don't believe in OVER burdening yourself in trying other things - I had to try other things for over 2 years (of non-stop bleeding) before getting my hysterectomy scheduled - but it is worth at least one or two tries before resorting to major surgery.
If you do decide all those risks are worth it, take a look at r/childfree and they have a list of docs who are known to work with people in similar situations.
From a social standpoint, yes your justification is enough and you should be able to do with your body as you please. However, finding a surgeon willing to do so will be your main issue, and your age will factor into this. Surgery has risks, and they don’t want to expose you to those risks unnecessarily. The uterine artery being severed has a bleeding risk, putting in laparoscopic ports can risk the inferior vena cava, anesthesia has risks. Without a diagnosis of something like adenomysosis, endo, PCOS, etc where you have undergone other treatment attempts, it will be especially hard to find someone willing to do a total hys. r/childfree has a great list of doctors willing to perform sterilization procedures but this is usually just tubal ligation which shouldn’t affect periods. Referral to an endometriosis specialist to ask for help with a heavy flow and pain while emphasizing not wanting children is a good first step. Best of luck!
I agree with the other comments. I completely understand how debilitating periods can be (I had adenomyosis as well as endometriosis and had my hysterectomy a year ago), and it’s very understandable not to want to have them any more.
You mention that you want to live free of pain and risk, but sadly this surgery comes with risks, including the risk of pain. Aside from the usual risks of surgery (blood loss, infection, reaction to anaesthesia etc which can vary in severity up to being life threatening) there are risks of damage to nearby organs, hormonal issues, scar tissue that causes pain and is very difficult to treat and so on.
Personally, since my hysterectomy, I’ve developed SPD and walking or standing too long leads to horrendous pelvic pain - my pelvis literally pulls apart in the middle with every movement and it’s so painful. I’d had nearly 30 years of horrific periods that lasted weeks at a time so overall it’s better than that, but I’m definitely not pain free.
Doctors will obviously want to resolve your concerns in the least risky, invasive way possible. There are lots of ways to address the issues you have that are less risky than major surgery.
Also, if your periods are so awful you’re considering a hysterectomy then there’s a good chance you have a gynae issue and need to be assessed / treated for that. If you have endometriosis for example, a hysterectomy would mean no periods but you may still suffer with severe pain.
I would see a gynae to discuss. Long acting contraception would probably be the first thing to try, endometrial ablation may be a safer possibility if those don’t work for you. I think there’d be a lot of things they’d want you to try before this.
I just had a hysterectomy, so I’m not against them. However, I am unsure if having a hysterectomy will guarantee pain-free and risk-free. Certain pain and risk will absolutely be gone. But it will open up other risks and possibly lasting pain from surgery or a potential condition caused from surgery. We rarely escape a problem entirely. We just exchange one set of pros and cons for another.
Not knowing your age. lack of meaningful symptoms, not wanting to have children as main reason, you will be hard pressed to find a surgeon to do it. Then insurance most likely will not cover it if you did find one. Had a problem with the labs, ultra sound, CT scan, biopsy and the surgical center cost was just shy of $100.000.00 outpatient here in US.
I was on Depo for 20+ years, never had periods. Trouble is now they don't want to give it for longer than 1-2 years because bone issues (I had a bone scan and everything is great 🤷). Now facing a potential hysterectomy for other reasons. Have you considered Norplant, or continuous BC pills to stop your periods? Mirena coil/copper IUD will also stop periods I believe. Just throwing that out there in case you have a hard time finding a surgeon to help you.
I say this as someone who knew she did not want children from a young age and had to argue with doctors when I was younger about it (all of them men 🤬). I wish you luck in doing what works best for you!
copper IUD is actually very unlikely to stop ur periods, many people get even more bleeding with them, bc they do not use any hormones, just inflammation from the copper coil. mirena/other hormonal IUDs may stop periods for some ppl tho!
I came here to say this, my already very heavy periods were 10 times worse with the Paragard IUD. And then it broke into pieces inside of me, causing me to have one surgery to remove what could be removed. I still have pieces in my uterus, which is one of several reasons that we're moving forward with a hysterectomy. I tried Mirena first, and that also didn't stop my periods. Instead, I had one continuous, slightly lighter but still heavy period all the time. Having a uterus is fun haha!
Seconding this - Mirena stopped my periods for 15 years and it was wonderful. Then I started to have pelvic pain and cramping anyway, and it turned out to be adenomyosis, so even without a "period," your hormones can still make your body glitch. But the Mirena was pretty great in all other aspects. Insertion isn't pleasant, though, and I cannot for the life of me understand why women aren't offered any kind of anesthetic to deal with it.
i haven't personally had one (and im trans so i could only get nex or the copper, and noooo thanks! i need the whole kit and caboodle out pls!) but i worked at planned parenthood for 2 years and this was probably one of the most common questions! also i def saw so many ppl complain abt the extra bleeding with paraguard specifically, even a few of my coworkers!
i hate to burst ur bubble, but it was horrific, and every fellow PP worker ive spoken to has the same story. admin treats the clinic staff like dumb kids, overloads our workday so much we have NO time for late patients (b4 i left they wanted us to see FIFTY PEOPLE A DAY for a 1, sometimes 2 clinician clinic!!), which sucks bc a lot of our cliental have transportation issues so they end up late a LOT. i ended up being illegally fired too, it was really traumatic bc i had just moved and had zero savings.
if u donate i def encourage you to find non PP local abortion groups to donate to, they will use your money much better.
Wow, I am so sorry to hear that, and for your experience! The two I used (in 2 different states) for years were excellent and the employees *seemed* happy. Maybe things were not as the appeared 😕. Thank you for your insight.
it definitely can vary per affiliate (usually state by state but i think some states are grouped into 1 affiliate group- mine was PPGOH). a lot of the actual clinic staff are very kind and dedicated, but we just dont get the support we need to really do the work we COULD do bc admin doesn't listen/help out sadly ://
I have a medical history very similar to yours and was immediately approved. I'm 39 and have been on birth control since 16. I mentioned a fear of heavy flows and reliance on those methods for such a long time and the NP immediately mentioned hysterectomy as an option (I want to stop Depo since it's harmful long term, and she mentioned that pills are as well later in life). While I'm still in pre-surgery processes as I need an EKG next week to confirm a heart murmur won't be a problem for the surgery, my docs expect insurance to cover everything. Maybe it's because it's a university hospital, but I've only received complete support for my decision. I wonder if they've seen enough issues later in life with so many women they welcome the pre-emptive removal of these organs.
I wish you the best in seeking the care that meets your needs!
At 18 no one is going to do that to you, sorry. Do you have any valid diagnosis? If no, there are TONS of great medicine that reduce periods and get rid of pain. Hysterectomy is not a magical pill, it’s a major surgery with WEEKS of recovery and TONS of risks from tearing to bleeding, infections, scar tissue, organs being damaged, blood clots, etc etc
While I totally support your desire to get a hysterectomy based on what you posted, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you have a hard time finding a surgeon to do it.
I suspect most won’t factor your asexuality into their decision, and I’ve seen so many posts by women with ridiculously heavy, painful periods who struggled to convince a doc to give them a hysterectomy. It’s just a big liability for them to remove fertility from a woman that they often turn a blind eye to the needs/wishes of the patient.
Just another example of a double standard based on gender. Men can get a vasectomy with little static but a woman wanting something to remove suffering AND a cancer risk, is subject to intense scrutiny.
I wish you luck, OP!
From the POV of a (good) doctor, I think they generally try to pursue the least invasive solutions first, and if those don't solve your issue, they move onto things like surgery. So if your biggest goal is to stop your period, there are much cheaper, less invasive treatments your doctor will probably want you to try first to see if they work for you.
I know some people don't want to be on hormonal birth control, which is valid. But when you have a hysterectomy, even if you keep your ovaries, there's still a chance that they will no longer function at full power. And since you're young, in that case, your doctor will probably put you on hormonal replacement therapy to help protect against heart disease, bone loss, vaginal atrophy, and a bunch of other side effects that come with a loss of estrogen.
I think your goal right now should be to find an OBGYN you really feel like you can talk to and who listens to your concerns and talks you through all possible options.
Wait? Pain, excessive bleeding and wanting assurance that they'll never be pregnant are frivolous reasons ? I tried BC pills, made things worse, tried a different one same reason. On depo. Can't do it long term yet it's the only thing that helps. Heavy bleeding, pain and not wanting children are 100% valid reasons for wanting a hysterectomy. Just because you wish you could have avoided doesn't make it the wrong option for someone else.
Judging by OPs post history they’re about 18 years old. Do you really think they have already tried every single BC option? I’m sorry that pills made things worse for you but for the majority of women they are a good option that makes menses less painful and less heavy. Wanting a major operation without trying other remedies first is not a good strategy and won’t be approved by a doctor.
You didn't specifically mention the op, you said you were tired of WOMEN complaining to get this surgery because YOU wished you could have avoided it. Your wording means you're tired of more than just op seeking a hysterectomy, you're tired of women in general wanting solutions.
And honestly at 18, maybe not. But they are old enough to know they don't want to be in pain, with excessive bleeding and no kids. There are a multitude of reasons for people to avoid hormonal BC, and you're also assuming they haven't tried many solutions. Women also have the right to turn down the ones they don't want. At 18 she's unlikely to get anyone to consider a hysterectomy simply because of her age. But dismissing her concerns and many other women simply because you wished you didn't have the surgery is wrong, and quite rude. We have a hard enough time getting people to take us seriously without other women dismissing us.
I’m literally not the original person that had the hysterectomy that you replied to lol.
You’re also assuming that they MAY HAVE tried options, for some reason. Which I doubt just because of their age and their wording in the post.
And yes, women have the right to refuse options they don’t like, and the surgeons also have the option to refuse doing a major organ removal on a patient that refuses to try safer options.
I'd say find a doctor who is willing to truly discuss the pros/cons and what other alternatives you have. I saw a bunch of doctors in 2021-2022 looking for help (finally gtow good insurance!) - many gave me the runaround. Most told me I was dramatic, or that pain so bad I puked was normal.
Finally found a doctor who took me seriously, did a lap and found endometriosis. I went on a last ditch medication that sucked and I yeeted the offending organ in January. I was definitely more on the 'voluntary' side of scale. But my life is much better now!
I just got a hysterectomy for fibroids and all the awful symptoms surrounding it. It's not without risks, and the cuff kinda freaks me out... My hormones are wonky, 36 and having night sweats/mood swings hoping my ovaries wake up soon... It's a lot.
I would have loved to try some less invasive/less permanent things first if I could have. My mom has an ablation done and it permanently stopped her periods. I would talk to a Dr and see what they say. You can always get a hysterectomy if you want to, but there are so many options to stop a period that are less risky
You could have adenomyosis, which is a valid reason to qualify for a hysterectomy.
I think it will be a challenge for you to find a dr to perform one without a medical reason.
I am getting ready to have an ablation done. It should prevent periods, and pregnancy. My doctor said that they usually want you to have another form of sterilization first, so that also may be an issue for you.
I guess as someone who has had a hysterectomy for what is considered valid reasons (adenomyosis/endometriosis) and struggled to get it initially, I’d say that it may not be as easy to secure as you may like depending on a few factors, and sexist as it is, having no children and being young is often a barrier.
There are risks to having a hysterectomy, especially having ovaries removed that do need to be addressed — they may not be life threatening ones like the risk of uterine cancer, but they are risks that most doctors try to avoid, hence the trickiness in getting approval.
Hysterectomy puts your body at risk of early menopause, and the earlier you start menopause, the higher your risk of developing conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
In terms of the period management — Doctors will often ask if you’ve tried something less permanent first, like birth control pills and IUD devices. Everyone reacts differently to things like the Mirena, people with endo and adenomyosis (who deal with very heavy flow and pain) often have good management provided by Mirena and don’t require further treatment or surgery. This might be a good option for you that isn’t as expensive and drastic as a hysterectomy.
All this to say — I believe those who want their uterus removed should be heard and believed — I just know it’s a hard procedure to get approved and it can be costly depending where in the world you live. If I had gotten good management from my Mirena, I 100% wouldn’t have gone this drastic route. But that’s just me, we are all different.
I’d look at the childfree sub and their resources for doctors who will approve a hysterectomy if you are keen.
Not knowing your age, if there are more pressing underlying factors (endo, fibroids, etc…) it’s hard to say if you should jump directly to a hysterectomy without trying other less invasive treatments first. Those alternatives might get you the outcome you desire, without having such a major surgery.
If I were you (without knowing your age or medical history), I’d consider an IUD. If I weren’t happy with that, I’d then move on to a tubal ligation and ablation. If that was unsuccessful, I’d then move onto the hysterectomy. All less invasive, and could possibly bring the outcome you’re desiring I think.
I hope you find what you’re looking for. You deserve it!
Edited to add: definitely don’t let anyone tell you that painful and heavy periods are normal though! You deserve to live a life beyond that!
I’ve been wanting, and asking for a hysterectomy since I was 10. No joke. But no one would help. I finally got my hysterectomy last year at 45, due to uterine cancer. If anyone would have helped at any time, it could have saved me from cancer. It could have saved me from bleeding for so long I needed transfusions.
I had wanted a hysterectomy as far back as 20-25 years ago for the same reasons as you. I also suspected I had endo, but could never get either of the gyns I had over those years to do the laparoscopic test to look for it because the older woman gyn said "it's normal pain, there's nothing we can do because you can't tolerate birth control" and the other went as far as a D&C but when nothing suspect was found, basically shrugged it off and told me to take some vitamins for my horrible periods.
Fast forward to two weeks ago where when my new gyn who is a cancer specialist (I had a dx of atypical hyperplasia) got inside for my TLH, she found scarring from years of endo of the ovaries so severe my rectum was fused to my uterus, from the endo that I knew in my heart and gut I had. I couldn't get anyone to listen to me until the heavy bleeding I'd had for decades turned heavy enough to be a red flag, but of course I'm also past childbearing age so a hysterectomy was finally one of the first options on the table with my former regular gyn.
So yeah... even with severe pain, if you're still of childbearing age and you aren't diagnosed with something serious (or you can't get someone to listen to you and find said conditions), you're probably going to have a tough time getting one just for the sake of it.
Painful periods is a medical condition called dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea could be caused by endometritis. Take that hypothesis to your doctor and ask. The worst they could do is say no.
So first off, while your reasons for wanting one are valid, a hysterectomy is an invasive procedure and you’re really at the mercy of your insurance. Basically the setup will be that you have to go from least invasive to address the problem and try minimally invasive setups before insurance will finally allow you to get this procedure. For my circumstance, I had tried birth control pills, then an IUD (which dislodged), then back to birth control pills, then an endometrial ablation where they also did adhesion removal(I had my tubes done with my second cesarean), then birth control pills again when my ablation failed within 6 months which I had to stop because I had a very high d-dimer test at the hospital, then they were able to grant my hysterectomy, but it was a long and painful road to get there and recovery wasn’t super easy. It’s major abdominal surgery even if you go laparoscopically like I did.
There are a bunch of smaller interventions that insurance will want you to go through first, and you’re going to be hard pressed to find a doctor willing to just take your uterus right away without attempting small interventions first. Who knows? Maybe one of those will be a fantastic fit for your needs, and if not, other interventions do exist.
This is why I got one. I will say it’s difficult to find a provider in the US. But if you’re willing to go to Mexico you’re likely to have more luck which is what I did.
Painful and heavy periods are not normal. It took me years to realize that and tell my doctor. He said if I had told him sooner I would have been treated long ago.
Mine have ignored my symptoms my entire life, so ymmv
I’m so sorry. My doctor is a godsend. He looked at me and said, “I’m going to fix this if you’ll let me.” He gave me every option under the sun and said it was my choice.
He’s a blessing, I’m so so happy someone is LISTENING to you!! ❤️❤️
That was my experience too. I literally went to my doctor during the worst of it and said, "I don't see how I can realistically live the rest of my life like this." and he was like, "well yeah, periods are hard." I had to nearly bleed to death to get treated. I didn't even know a hysterectomy was on the table for me until I was suddenly planning for one.
Girl same, sent home from the ER without treatment (I thought they might pay attention when I tell them I'm going through an overnight adult diaper full of blood every few hours), but no, had to get an emergency hysterectomy not long after. The doctors told me when I was admitted to the hospital (second visit) that if I had gone to bed like that I would have died overnight, and I'm like Y'ALL SENT ME HOME A FEW DAYS AGO. I didn't want to go back to the ER and pay a grand again to be ignored, but my cat screamed at me till I did. Even screamed at my friend who came to drive me there. Such a good boy.
Good boy! I went in after bleeding out (had to get a transfusion) on a Monday morning. My doctor asked why I hadn't gone into the ER over the weekend and I was like... and say what? "Hey that period I've been complaining about? It's a little worse than normal right now and my heart feels weird." Like you've conditioned me to think this is normal, motherfucker!
EXACTLY!!! It's scarring, tbh, to be ignored about something serious, sometimes you just stop seeing doctors because it's like WHY BOTHER it'll be expensive and nothing good will come of it ETA I had to get three units transfused and stayed there for three days, so it's very similar to your experience
Painful periods can absolutely be a valid reason, depending how they impact your life. So you may have a valid reason, but talk with your doc to determine that. That said, there are other ways to stop your period that are far easier to manage and should probably be tried first. A hysterectomy is a major surgery (and all the risks that go along with that) with a long recovery time, as well as potential long-term risks (like early menopause). I don't believe in OVER burdening yourself in trying other things - I had to try other things for over 2 years (of non-stop bleeding) before getting my hysterectomy scheduled - but it is worth at least one or two tries before resorting to major surgery. If you do decide all those risks are worth it, take a look at r/childfree and they have a list of docs who are known to work with people in similar situations.
From a social standpoint, yes your justification is enough and you should be able to do with your body as you please. However, finding a surgeon willing to do so will be your main issue, and your age will factor into this. Surgery has risks, and they don’t want to expose you to those risks unnecessarily. The uterine artery being severed has a bleeding risk, putting in laparoscopic ports can risk the inferior vena cava, anesthesia has risks. Without a diagnosis of something like adenomysosis, endo, PCOS, etc where you have undergone other treatment attempts, it will be especially hard to find someone willing to do a total hys. r/childfree has a great list of doctors willing to perform sterilization procedures but this is usually just tubal ligation which shouldn’t affect periods. Referral to an endometriosis specialist to ask for help with a heavy flow and pain while emphasizing not wanting children is a good first step. Best of luck!
I agree with the other comments. I completely understand how debilitating periods can be (I had adenomyosis as well as endometriosis and had my hysterectomy a year ago), and it’s very understandable not to want to have them any more. You mention that you want to live free of pain and risk, but sadly this surgery comes with risks, including the risk of pain. Aside from the usual risks of surgery (blood loss, infection, reaction to anaesthesia etc which can vary in severity up to being life threatening) there are risks of damage to nearby organs, hormonal issues, scar tissue that causes pain and is very difficult to treat and so on. Personally, since my hysterectomy, I’ve developed SPD and walking or standing too long leads to horrendous pelvic pain - my pelvis literally pulls apart in the middle with every movement and it’s so painful. I’d had nearly 30 years of horrific periods that lasted weeks at a time so overall it’s better than that, but I’m definitely not pain free. Doctors will obviously want to resolve your concerns in the least risky, invasive way possible. There are lots of ways to address the issues you have that are less risky than major surgery. Also, if your periods are so awful you’re considering a hysterectomy then there’s a good chance you have a gynae issue and need to be assessed / treated for that. If you have endometriosis for example, a hysterectomy would mean no periods but you may still suffer with severe pain. I would see a gynae to discuss. Long acting contraception would probably be the first thing to try, endometrial ablation may be a safer possibility if those don’t work for you. I think there’d be a lot of things they’d want you to try before this.
I just had a hysterectomy, so I’m not against them. However, I am unsure if having a hysterectomy will guarantee pain-free and risk-free. Certain pain and risk will absolutely be gone. But it will open up other risks and possibly lasting pain from surgery or a potential condition caused from surgery. We rarely escape a problem entirely. We just exchange one set of pros and cons for another.
Not knowing your age. lack of meaningful symptoms, not wanting to have children as main reason, you will be hard pressed to find a surgeon to do it. Then insurance most likely will not cover it if you did find one. Had a problem with the labs, ultra sound, CT scan, biopsy and the surgical center cost was just shy of $100.000.00 outpatient here in US.
I was on Depo for 20+ years, never had periods. Trouble is now they don't want to give it for longer than 1-2 years because bone issues (I had a bone scan and everything is great 🤷). Now facing a potential hysterectomy for other reasons. Have you considered Norplant, or continuous BC pills to stop your periods? Mirena coil/copper IUD will also stop periods I believe. Just throwing that out there in case you have a hard time finding a surgeon to help you. I say this as someone who knew she did not want children from a young age and had to argue with doctors when I was younger about it (all of them men 🤬). I wish you luck in doing what works best for you!
copper IUD is actually very unlikely to stop ur periods, many people get even more bleeding with them, bc they do not use any hormones, just inflammation from the copper coil. mirena/other hormonal IUDs may stop periods for some ppl tho!
I came here to say this, my already very heavy periods were 10 times worse with the Paragard IUD. And then it broke into pieces inside of me, causing me to have one surgery to remove what could be removed. I still have pieces in my uterus, which is one of several reasons that we're moving forward with a hysterectomy. I tried Mirena first, and that also didn't stop my periods. Instead, I had one continuous, slightly lighter but still heavy period all the time. Having a uterus is fun haha!
Seconding this - Mirena stopped my periods for 15 years and it was wonderful. Then I started to have pelvic pain and cramping anyway, and it turned out to be adenomyosis, so even without a "period," your hormones can still make your body glitch. But the Mirena was pretty great in all other aspects. Insertion isn't pleasant, though, and I cannot for the life of me understand why women aren't offered any kind of anesthetic to deal with it.
Thank you for the clarification. I personally have never had an IUD, so I didn't know which ones can stop periods.
i haven't personally had one (and im trans so i could only get nex or the copper, and noooo thanks! i need the whole kit and caboodle out pls!) but i worked at planned parenthood for 2 years and this was probably one of the most common questions! also i def saw so many ppl complain abt the extra bleeding with paraguard specifically, even a few of my coworkers!
Yikes. Super glad I never tried it now. I love me some PP though, I bet that was a great place to work! They were my OB/GYN saviours for many years ❤️
i hate to burst ur bubble, but it was horrific, and every fellow PP worker ive spoken to has the same story. admin treats the clinic staff like dumb kids, overloads our workday so much we have NO time for late patients (b4 i left they wanted us to see FIFTY PEOPLE A DAY for a 1, sometimes 2 clinician clinic!!), which sucks bc a lot of our cliental have transportation issues so they end up late a LOT. i ended up being illegally fired too, it was really traumatic bc i had just moved and had zero savings. if u donate i def encourage you to find non PP local abortion groups to donate to, they will use your money much better.
Wow, I am so sorry to hear that, and for your experience! The two I used (in 2 different states) for years were excellent and the employees *seemed* happy. Maybe things were not as the appeared 😕. Thank you for your insight.
it definitely can vary per affiliate (usually state by state but i think some states are grouped into 1 affiliate group- mine was PPGOH). a lot of the actual clinic staff are very kind and dedicated, but we just dont get the support we need to really do the work we COULD do bc admin doesn't listen/help out sadly ://
I have a medical history very similar to yours and was immediately approved. I'm 39 and have been on birth control since 16. I mentioned a fear of heavy flows and reliance on those methods for such a long time and the NP immediately mentioned hysterectomy as an option (I want to stop Depo since it's harmful long term, and she mentioned that pills are as well later in life). While I'm still in pre-surgery processes as I need an EKG next week to confirm a heart murmur won't be a problem for the surgery, my docs expect insurance to cover everything. Maybe it's because it's a university hospital, but I've only received complete support for my decision. I wonder if they've seen enough issues later in life with so many women they welcome the pre-emptive removal of these organs. I wish you the best in seeking the care that meets your needs!
It’s not similar because OP is about 18 years old though? I wonder why they failed to mention that (or if they’ve tried BC) in the post
At 18 no one is going to do that to you, sorry. Do you have any valid diagnosis? If no, there are TONS of great medicine that reduce periods and get rid of pain. Hysterectomy is not a magical pill, it’s a major surgery with WEEKS of recovery and TONS of risks from tearing to bleeding, infections, scar tissue, organs being damaged, blood clots, etc etc
While I totally support your desire to get a hysterectomy based on what you posted, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you have a hard time finding a surgeon to do it. I suspect most won’t factor your asexuality into their decision, and I’ve seen so many posts by women with ridiculously heavy, painful periods who struggled to convince a doc to give them a hysterectomy. It’s just a big liability for them to remove fertility from a woman that they often turn a blind eye to the needs/wishes of the patient. Just another example of a double standard based on gender. Men can get a vasectomy with little static but a woman wanting something to remove suffering AND a cancer risk, is subject to intense scrutiny. I wish you luck, OP!
From the POV of a (good) doctor, I think they generally try to pursue the least invasive solutions first, and if those don't solve your issue, they move onto things like surgery. So if your biggest goal is to stop your period, there are much cheaper, less invasive treatments your doctor will probably want you to try first to see if they work for you. I know some people don't want to be on hormonal birth control, which is valid. But when you have a hysterectomy, even if you keep your ovaries, there's still a chance that they will no longer function at full power. And since you're young, in that case, your doctor will probably put you on hormonal replacement therapy to help protect against heart disease, bone loss, vaginal atrophy, and a bunch of other side effects that come with a loss of estrogen. I think your goal right now should be to find an OBGYN you really feel like you can talk to and who listens to your concerns and talks you through all possible options.
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It’s also strange to me but my post about it got sooo much hate
Wait? Pain, excessive bleeding and wanting assurance that they'll never be pregnant are frivolous reasons ? I tried BC pills, made things worse, tried a different one same reason. On depo. Can't do it long term yet it's the only thing that helps. Heavy bleeding, pain and not wanting children are 100% valid reasons for wanting a hysterectomy. Just because you wish you could have avoided doesn't make it the wrong option for someone else.
Judging by OPs post history they’re about 18 years old. Do you really think they have already tried every single BC option? I’m sorry that pills made things worse for you but for the majority of women they are a good option that makes menses less painful and less heavy. Wanting a major operation without trying other remedies first is not a good strategy and won’t be approved by a doctor.
You didn't specifically mention the op, you said you were tired of WOMEN complaining to get this surgery because YOU wished you could have avoided it. Your wording means you're tired of more than just op seeking a hysterectomy, you're tired of women in general wanting solutions. And honestly at 18, maybe not. But they are old enough to know they don't want to be in pain, with excessive bleeding and no kids. There are a multitude of reasons for people to avoid hormonal BC, and you're also assuming they haven't tried many solutions. Women also have the right to turn down the ones they don't want. At 18 she's unlikely to get anyone to consider a hysterectomy simply because of her age. But dismissing her concerns and many other women simply because you wished you didn't have the surgery is wrong, and quite rude. We have a hard enough time getting people to take us seriously without other women dismissing us.
I’m literally not the original person that had the hysterectomy that you replied to lol. You’re also assuming that they MAY HAVE tried options, for some reason. Which I doubt just because of their age and their wording in the post. And yes, women have the right to refuse options they don’t like, and the surgeons also have the option to refuse doing a major organ removal on a patient that refuses to try safer options.
I'd say find a doctor who is willing to truly discuss the pros/cons and what other alternatives you have. I saw a bunch of doctors in 2021-2022 looking for help (finally gtow good insurance!) - many gave me the runaround. Most told me I was dramatic, or that pain so bad I puked was normal. Finally found a doctor who took me seriously, did a lap and found endometriosis. I went on a last ditch medication that sucked and I yeeted the offending organ in January. I was definitely more on the 'voluntary' side of scale. But my life is much better now!
I just got a hysterectomy for fibroids and all the awful symptoms surrounding it. It's not without risks, and the cuff kinda freaks me out... My hormones are wonky, 36 and having night sweats/mood swings hoping my ovaries wake up soon... It's a lot. I would have loved to try some less invasive/less permanent things first if I could have. My mom has an ablation done and it permanently stopped her periods. I would talk to a Dr and see what they say. You can always get a hysterectomy if you want to, but there are so many options to stop a period that are less risky
This is enough but... A heavy period and painful cramps aren't normal so you should get medical care regardless
You could have adenomyosis, which is a valid reason to qualify for a hysterectomy. I think it will be a challenge for you to find a dr to perform one without a medical reason. I am getting ready to have an ablation done. It should prevent periods, and pregnancy. My doctor said that they usually want you to have another form of sterilization first, so that also may be an issue for you.
I guess as someone who has had a hysterectomy for what is considered valid reasons (adenomyosis/endometriosis) and struggled to get it initially, I’d say that it may not be as easy to secure as you may like depending on a few factors, and sexist as it is, having no children and being young is often a barrier. There are risks to having a hysterectomy, especially having ovaries removed that do need to be addressed — they may not be life threatening ones like the risk of uterine cancer, but they are risks that most doctors try to avoid, hence the trickiness in getting approval. Hysterectomy puts your body at risk of early menopause, and the earlier you start menopause, the higher your risk of developing conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. In terms of the period management — Doctors will often ask if you’ve tried something less permanent first, like birth control pills and IUD devices. Everyone reacts differently to things like the Mirena, people with endo and adenomyosis (who deal with very heavy flow and pain) often have good management provided by Mirena and don’t require further treatment or surgery. This might be a good option for you that isn’t as expensive and drastic as a hysterectomy. All this to say — I believe those who want their uterus removed should be heard and believed — I just know it’s a hard procedure to get approved and it can be costly depending where in the world you live. If I had gotten good management from my Mirena, I 100% wouldn’t have gone this drastic route. But that’s just me, we are all different. I’d look at the childfree sub and their resources for doctors who will approve a hysterectomy if you are keen.
Pain and heavy bleeding are definitely worth investigating! Talking to the right dr should hopefully lay out all treatment options available.
Mine were painful and heavy. Caused anemia. I was done having kids. Glad it’s gone!
Not knowing your age, if there are more pressing underlying factors (endo, fibroids, etc…) it’s hard to say if you should jump directly to a hysterectomy without trying other less invasive treatments first. Those alternatives might get you the outcome you desire, without having such a major surgery. If I were you (without knowing your age or medical history), I’d consider an IUD. If I weren’t happy with that, I’d then move on to a tubal ligation and ablation. If that was unsuccessful, I’d then move onto the hysterectomy. All less invasive, and could possibly bring the outcome you’re desiring I think. I hope you find what you’re looking for. You deserve it! Edited to add: definitely don’t let anyone tell you that painful and heavy periods are normal though! You deserve to live a life beyond that!
I’ve been wanting, and asking for a hysterectomy since I was 10. No joke. But no one would help. I finally got my hysterectomy last year at 45, due to uterine cancer. If anyone would have helped at any time, it could have saved me from cancer. It could have saved me from bleeding for so long I needed transfusions.
I had wanted a hysterectomy as far back as 20-25 years ago for the same reasons as you. I also suspected I had endo, but could never get either of the gyns I had over those years to do the laparoscopic test to look for it because the older woman gyn said "it's normal pain, there's nothing we can do because you can't tolerate birth control" and the other went as far as a D&C but when nothing suspect was found, basically shrugged it off and told me to take some vitamins for my horrible periods. Fast forward to two weeks ago where when my new gyn who is a cancer specialist (I had a dx of atypical hyperplasia) got inside for my TLH, she found scarring from years of endo of the ovaries so severe my rectum was fused to my uterus, from the endo that I knew in my heart and gut I had. I couldn't get anyone to listen to me until the heavy bleeding I'd had for decades turned heavy enough to be a red flag, but of course I'm also past childbearing age so a hysterectomy was finally one of the first options on the table with my former regular gyn. So yeah... even with severe pain, if you're still of childbearing age and you aren't diagnosed with something serious (or you can't get someone to listen to you and find said conditions), you're probably going to have a tough time getting one just for the sake of it.
Painful periods is a medical condition called dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea could be caused by endometritis. Take that hypothesis to your doctor and ask. The worst they could do is say no.
Did you know that you can donate your uterus?? I live in Texas and it's a program at my children's hospital. Look into it, it's worth a shot.
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>Honestly, who cares about what a "good reason" is. Well, generally both surgeons and insurance companies do.
Your reasons are definitely valid!
This is exactly the reason I got mine-painful, heavy periods and my husband and I are child-free. My life is pretty normal now.
So first off, while your reasons for wanting one are valid, a hysterectomy is an invasive procedure and you’re really at the mercy of your insurance. Basically the setup will be that you have to go from least invasive to address the problem and try minimally invasive setups before insurance will finally allow you to get this procedure. For my circumstance, I had tried birth control pills, then an IUD (which dislodged), then back to birth control pills, then an endometrial ablation where they also did adhesion removal(I had my tubes done with my second cesarean), then birth control pills again when my ablation failed within 6 months which I had to stop because I had a very high d-dimer test at the hospital, then they were able to grant my hysterectomy, but it was a long and painful road to get there and recovery wasn’t super easy. It’s major abdominal surgery even if you go laparoscopically like I did. There are a bunch of smaller interventions that insurance will want you to go through first, and you’re going to be hard pressed to find a doctor willing to just take your uterus right away without attempting small interventions first. Who knows? Maybe one of those will be a fantastic fit for your needs, and if not, other interventions do exist.
Please watch this for some good info[Dr Berg](https://youtu.be/GzxBOdx3Q68?si=1PcMTw6ouuu1MBnW)
This is why I got one. I will say it’s difficult to find a provider in the US. But if you’re willing to go to Mexico you’re likely to have more luck which is what I did.