By: Anonymous
Updated: April 22, 2021
Originally Published: November 26, 2017
Image: Joos Mind / Getty Images
I got my first period at the tender age of 11. By 12, my mother consulted a pediatrician who suggested I start taking birth control to manage my heavy periods and excruciating cramps. At 14, I tried continuous birth control in hopes of skipping my periods entirely, but they still seemed to appear at the most inconvenient times. Painful periods were my norm, and doctors never expressed concern. It was just how life was for me.
At 20, I switched to a new OB-GYN, and our conversation was refreshing. She asked, “If you’re only sleeping with women, why are you on birth control?” I shared my struggles with heavy, painful periods, and she recommended the Mirena IUD, which I had inserted a week later. It significantly reduced my periods to only minor bleeding every few months, and for a while, life seemed manageable.
One February morning, after a Pure Barre class, I felt something was terribly off. Despite the discomfort, I met a friend for brunch. One mimosa in, I knew I needed medical help. By the time I arrived at the ER, I was in agony. The triage nurse took one look at me and rushed me in, ignoring the cold floor as I collapsed in pain. After a series of pain medications that didn’t seem to help, they discovered I had an ovarian cyst.
“It’s just my usual ovarian cysts,” I thought. But then came a transvaginal ultrasound that pushed me over the edge. The on-call OB-GYN, after assessing my distress, recommended an exploratory surgery. I agreed without hesitation.
When I woke up in the recovery room, my mother and sister were there. The doctor informed me that my right ovary had twisted due to adhesions and that I had endometriosis. This condition involves cells similar to uterine lining growing outside the uterus, causing lesions that bleed during a menstrual cycle, leading to severe pain and scar tissue. It all finally made sense; the years of pain and discomfort I experienced were dismissed by doctors.
Despite leaving the hospital, my pain persisted. A few months later, another OB-GYN performed excision surgery on the endometriosis, but it was unsuccessful. I endured four surgeries and spent 63 nights in the hospital that year, determined to find relief. After three ER visits in five days, I reached out to one of my OB-GYNs, begging for help. He referred me to another specialist who listened intently, asking questions no one had before.
He pondered aloud about the possibility of other conditions like adenomyosis and severe adhesions. When he suggested a hysterectomy, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I didn’t need to think twice; I knew it was the right choice. I texted my sister and best friend for support, but the reactions were mixed. Some warned me against the decision, citing regrets and fears about my youth. My mother, while skeptical, promised to support whatever I decided.
After a few days, I scheduled the surgery. I read stories from women who expressed gratitude for their hysterectomies, often thanking their uteruses for the children they bore. But I was 25 and childless, and my uterus had consistently let me down. On the day of my surgery, an anesthesiologist questioned my decision, and I felt a surge of anger.
Once in the operating room, my surgeon assured me that if everything looked fine, he would leave my uterus intact. But deep down, I realized that was unlikely. After a long surgery, he revealed that my uterus was severely adhered to my abdominal wall and intestines, and it contained fibroids and more endometriosis. He explained that my uterus would never have supported a pregnancy, and the hysterectomy was necessary to free my organs from their painful entrapment.
Hearing those words was all I needed. My hysterectomy has become one of my best life choices. I wake up and go to bed without pain. My life has transformed; I no longer feel like my insides are tearing apart. I share my experience with every woman I meet, hoping to provide a positive perspective on hysterectomies.
I want everyone to know that I had a hysterectomy and emerged stronger. I can still achieve my dreams of motherhood through adoption, and my sexual health is intact. My identity as a woman remains unchanged. I have no regrets. My hysterectomy was a pivotal moment in my life, and it truly changed everything for the better.
For more insights on the journey of starting a family, check out this post on couples’ fertility journeys. If you’re interested in home insemination, BabyMaker offers valuable resources. Additionally, for comprehensive information about IVF, visit Healthline.
Summary:
At 25, I underwent a hysterectomy due to years of debilitating pain from endometriosis and ovarian cysts. Despite mixed reactions from others, the decision has transformed my life for the better. I no longer live in pain, and I embrace my identity as a woman without regret.
Keyphrase: My Hysterectomy Journey
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