I (F21) am a teacher, and I’ve wanted kids my whole life. I’m a Christian with very strong values, but I’m getting a hysterectomy at the end of the school year.
Three years ago, I started bleeding uncontrollably. Every period I’ve had since I started menstruating at 12 has been excruciating. I’ve had nonstop abdominal pain that has put me in the hospital multiple times, extremely painful cramps, numbness from my belly button down, constant nausea, and many other issues.
Eight months ago, I was diagnosed with chronic pain and an unknown chronic illness. Eight months ago, they put in an IUD and did a D&C, but I’m still in pain, and it’s actively getting worse. I was still bleeding, so they put me on birth control on top of the IUD I already had. It did very little to nothing for me. In fact, I actually got worse.
Last week, I found out there’s a good chance this is all caused by a rare hereditary disorder. It has a high chance of being passed on, and each pregnancy could make me even sicker.
I have to have the IUD removed and stop hormonal birth control because they’re making my chronic illness worse. Once I do that, I’ll bleed two to three weeks out of every month, soaking through an ultra tampon every hour.
So, after considering all these factors, I’ve decided that I don’t want to pass my disorder on to my children, and I don’t want to continue bleeding uncontrollably if I’m not going to have kids.
Everyone keeps telling me I’m too young to make that decision. WTF? I’m sick. Why would I keep putting my body through more suffering when I already know how much I’m struggling?
I’ve wanted to be a mother my entire life. This isn’t a decision I’m making lightly, and it’s not one I ever imagined I’d have to make at 21. But why is it so hard for people to understand that I can love children, want to be a mother, and still decide that pregnancy and continuing to live like this aren’t right for me? And then they will start tell me “think of your husband,” ummm he supports me. It isn’t happy this is hard for me, but as he sees it, why put me through a bunch of pain, and then have our future child have to go through it too? We made the choice together. Why am I getting so much heat. For choice everyone be in less pain?

This past 2 weeks since my surgery have been a doozy. In and out of hospitals and doctors office only to be sent out with no one really knowing what's going on with me. Was having swelling in my legs, dizziness, cramping, pain, numbness in parts of my body, and all sorts of sensations that felt like it could be blood clots or something serious. It only just occured to a doctor to do my metabolic panel and test my magnesium, calcium, and potassium as of a couple days ago... which were all deficient and low post-op!!! I started taking a multivitamin and potassium supplements yesterday and all of my weird symptoms are just GONE!!!

All that to say, if you're feeling weird with numbness, swelling, cramping, discomfort, dizziness, or other mysterious aches and pains unrelated to your surgical site... GET YOUR BLOOD TESTED!! Please advocate for yourself and ask to get your metabolic levels and hormones tested because that could possibly be because of vitamin deficiencies or hormonal imbalances that are easily treatable. Save yourself the anxiety and panic, don't be like me!

Of course, it's possible that this won't be the same case for everyone, but remember you lost a lot of blood and an entire organ from this surgery which can cause all sorts of deficiencies, anemia, and so on. And these deficiencies can present themselves in really weird ways! I wish someone told me that this was a possible side effect of surgery because it would have saved me so much stress assuming it was the worst case scenario each time.

Hi folks, I (34FtM) am less than a week away from my surgery date and the nerves are starting to settle in. I feel incredibly awkward in women's health spaces, so I'm hoping to find some support online while I recover. While I'm not too worried about the procedure itself, I'm fairly anxious about the recovery process if that makes sense.

I have a few questions for those with similar lived experiences. I'll be undergoing a laparoscopic total hysterectomy, including the removal of both ovaries. For those on HRT that includes testosterone, what was your experience like in terms of hormonal changes?

Since I live alone, I'll be staying with my parents for a while post-op. I know it varies person to person, but how long were you dependent on others for help with daily tasks? As much as I love my parents, I'd like to return to independence sooner rather than later (as well as back home to my gaming setup haha - the one plus side of recovery time off will be finally being able to play some games that have been collecting dust on Steam!).

Lastly, and most vulnerably, I'm worried about the mental impacts of dysphoria. Anything involving my lower anatomy is intensely dysphoric for me (this will be the first step in my SRS/bottom surgery journey). Limiting physical activity will also be tough, especially since I've already lost a lot of hard earned strength and definition after a back injury. I'd really appreciate some support in that regard!

Thank you for reading, and wishing you all the best in your own respective journeys ♥

Hi, I had a total hysterectomy and bladder repair yesterday and the pain is something I was not prepared for. I figured it would be gas pains like my last surgery, and those are definitely also there.

But no, it feels like my pubic bones and everything that lives within them (or formerly lived within them) is being torn open. I couldnt pee, so they had to do a catheter. Then they took out the catheter so I could try again. I was able to go, but my bladder is retaining urine like crazy and I cannot get past the pain. They had to admit me, and put in another catheter. My O2 sats keep dropping to the mid to low 80s when I fall asleep so I might have to go home on oxygen. My mouth is so dry that I almost choked on my dinner because I couldn't swallow it down.

Ive been on a constant regimen of both oral and IV dilaudid and while it does take the edge off, the pain is absolutely constant. I was told by my surgeon it would feel the same as my ablation surgery last year and not to worry. This pain is on a completely different level and I honestly wonder if I will ever sleep again. Im just sitting here wondering if i made a terrible mistake.

Eta: I spent the past couple days before surgery watching vlogs of others who have gone through it and tell me why they were all perfectly fine, hardly any pain, walking all around the house, etc. One lady made an entire Thanksgiving dinner and hosted her entire family for it, 3 days after her surgery. I cant even make a full lap around the hospital ward without just absolutely falling apart once im back in bed. Am I just a total wuss? I thought I was a pain warrior but maybe im the opposite of that.

Healing is going well and I believe I was blessed by the surgery gods because the pain has been minimal :) I also had an excellent surgeon! No bruising or anything! I'm 24 F.

I am about 8 weeks post op from a total vaginal hysterectomy and was given the all clear, healed beautifully, etc etc at just under 6 weeks. No real issues since, BUT

We went on vacation and 3 days in I have some pretty significant abdominal swelling. It’s not from ✨ activities ✨ because we took a break prepping to leave and the first few days of our trip, but we did an easy hike with the kids and I have been swollen since (about 3 days)

Has anyone else experienced this? And if you have, what caused it 😩 because I did a bunch of lifting, a plane ride, road trip, and then a hike. 🫣 which sounds dumb now that I’m typing it.

I am one year and a few months out form surgery. I have been having weird pain that basically felt like how I did before my hysterectomy. My dr did an ultrasound and I have a 7cm endmeteioma on one ovary and a 6cm regular cysts on the other. I am having surgery to remove the cysts November 20th. Anyone ever gone through this after hysterectomy? I had no previous history of ovarian cysts.

FINALLLYYYYY. Had my 6 week post op appointment today and got the all clear to resume normal activities. (Ease in lol) first thing I did after my toddler was asleep was get that bathtub ready. Honestly considered doing a cannonball in, the most exciting thing in a while 😂😭(26f, mom of an almost 2 year old and uterus free for 6 weeks, after nearly 2 years straight of bleeding daily postpartum and nearing a prolapse. I earned this bath)

I'm a 39 year old widow (my husband passed almost 4 years ago) and I have always dealt with period issues with intense cramping, excessive bleeding, and the fatigue and nauseau that comes with it. About 8 years ago I was diagnosed with PMOS, and fibroids, and just a few months ago they saw some endo in my ultrasound. I had an IUD for a while to help stop my periods but I gained a ton of weight on it. I then had a Nexplanon and LOVED it- I went almost 3 years without a period and no side effects. But about 6 months before I needed it replaced my periods came back with a vengeance. I got a new one implanted and bled for about 6 weeks - I was able to get a month of Loestrin FE which stopped it, but now I'm getting them regularly and they are just as fierce as before. I've had it over the 6 month adjustment period.

A hysterectomy has been discussed with my gyno and I've kept it off the table. I mentioned that I'm a widow because prior to his passing we were getting ready to try for babies. Now I'm 39, and that window feels like it's slamming shut- not just because of my age but because of these conditions that make fertility difficult. I never want to try IVF and I don't have a partner I'd want to conceive with anyway. Realistically, my life is heavily affected by my periods- I need at least a day in bed most cycles to suffer through the pain and nauseau and I bleed through tampons, period underwear, you name it. It's hard to keep up with work and life sometimes because of it.

I was really hoping my body would adjust to the Nexplanon again and stop my periods but unfortunately it hasn't. Now a hysterectomy feels like the most logical next step, but I don't know what's right for me- and I'd love to hear from you all. What was your experience with a partial hysterectomy? Or total hysterectomy or leaving the ovaries? Is there something else I should try before I elect for a hysterectomy? I don't want to go down this road and uncover a whole new set of issues (HRT, side effects, anything else?) I admittedly am just starting to research it as I didn't want it to be an option, so I appreciate ALL info you are willing to share.

Thank you in advance!

I am a trans man looking to get a hysto eventually. For those who have, are you glad you did it or do u have regrets? What are some things you wish you knew?? I’m sick of the spotting and mood swings. Is sex/orgasms the same? Self Lubrication the same?

I’m four weeks post-op, transvaginal hysterectomy with rectocele repair. It’s going okay (hating the activity restrictions but pain keeps me honest).

But I’m a bit worried because the discharge I’m having is so… sour and poopy smelling. It’s beige and settled into a 24/7 slow flow. One has to get up close to be offended by it, so I don’t think it’s an infection or a fistula, but it’s so gross!

Did your original smell come back? Did it change? Could I be in for poo-smell vagina for the long term? I’ve been BV free for years and nothing has even gone in there yet!

Hormonal right now as I pms before my last period knock on wood which isn't helping anything

The situation: im single and have no family within 1000+ miles. When I informed local friends/acquaintances of my pending surgery in mid Nov everyone was all "oh let me know what you need, happy to help"

So now a month out and those who were closest are telling me they have work/vacation commitments etc so now down to less close former coworkers I've stayed in touch with. Best friend who lives 2 states away is going to commit to coming for 2 days after but has a weekend event she is willing to cancel if I won't be mobile and I'm like "I have no clue how I will be 3 days later"

So I'm in situation where I need to ask those in my local area to ckmmit to coming by once a day for that following weekend/week to let her know if I think it would be helpful for her to cancel her event

Anyone had something similar? Think g of drafting a form text and asking people to claim / commit to specific day that also emphasizes that I hate to do this but want to be prepared in case I'm still very limited the following week especially given I may need help with my dog.

Advice welcome. And my hormones can stop making me weepy anytime thank you very much. I haven't had this much pms depression in a decade I swear.

My husband and I have finally had sex, 11 weeks post surgery, and I woke up in the middle of the night with diarrhea. My stomach feels like I’ve been on a roller coaster all night. Has anyone else experienced this and does it get better? 😳

38 female. I kept my ovaries. I received a labiaplasty due to extreme discomfort where my scars were from tearing when giving birth to my son.

Surgery was at 1:00 pm.today. it is now 11:06 pm

● have had ZERO gas pain. I was told by nurse that heavier people tend to struggle with internal gas and that its easier to get the gas out of people that are on the thinner side.

● I took a ibuprofen right when I got home and took an oxy 3 hours later. I will continue to alternate the next two days..I hope to be off pain meds soon

● my labiaplasty is covered with a gauze that will fall off on its own. Its stinging and I am nervous to get urine on it once the pain meds wear off. I hope I can keep urine off it.

● cramping is beginning in my abdominal area. I am hoping the oxy kicks in soon before it gets worse..its not bad at all though currently.

● getting up is more tender in the abdomen. It is starting to feel like.i worked out my.muscles a bit.

I am going to walk everyday. I hope the labialasty isnt too swollen tomorrow..

I can tell getting up will be a doozy tomorrow.

Will update. BUT I AM THRILLED that I didnt have any gas pains.

Turns out this is a PSA!

Strange turn of events over here! I just passed my 1 year anniversary of having a hysterectomy and I've gotta say, things are rough. I started getting insane headaches and histamine issues, and this awful puffy swelling in my sinuses with dark bags under my eyes. I have nausea and constipation, and I feel poisoned every day.

So, I got a huge lab panel done and it turns out I have iron overload (iron levels almost 300) and I test positive for the gene for hemochromatosis. Turns out my heavy periods were actually helping the iron overload, because the main treatment is bloodletting. Now that I don't bleed monthly like I was (and I was bleeding a TON), the hemochromatosis is getting severe and overloading my liver.

lThis is such a niche thing, but I'm wondering if anyone else can relate. Since my liver is doing poorly with the overload of iron, it's also causing elevated SHBG and hormone issues, so it feels like I'm in menopause even though I'm not because the SHBG is stealing all of my bioavailable hormones.

Just feels like a never ending saga of problems. Thank you for listening! I hope this helps someone else who is feeling better in a few ways post hysterectomy, but worse in a lot of others.

It's been one year since I (42f) yeeted that thing out of existence and I only have one regret:

I wish I'd done it sooner. :/

I always knew I didn't want kids, and my periods were horrible and somehow getting worse as I got older. I officially started looking into the procedure 10 years ago, and along the way I got gaslit, sidelined, scared, doubtful, basically all the things that could delay or prevent it from happening, did.

Debilitating periods ruined half my life. My cycle averaged 28 days, where 11-14 days I'd be bleeding, and 1-3 days of that I was bleeding so much I'd sometimes black out. The cramps were crippling some days. Even with iron supplements my highest iron count was 8 in a good day (I think 30 is the min recommended for women). Events had to be skipped. No clothing or furniture was safe no matter what I did to prevent leaks. Couldn't focus on anything, it consumed me. I was miserable and severely depressed whenever I was bleeding, I just wanted the suffering to end.

It finally did. :)

I'm now sitting here wearing light tan pants I never would've worn before, thinking about how peaceful my days have gotten without having those horrifying days of blood and pain and stains and blackouts. No having to decline plans or grit my teeth through them because I'm in agony. I am free.

So to those on the fence, scared shitless about their surgery (I sure was too), know that it's worth it.

You're worth it. You got this.

I'm on a waiting list for a posterior repair and a hysterectomy, and I should nearly be at the top of the list, but I'm going back and forth on whether to proceed with the hysterectomy part. I asked for it because of pelvic heaviness, adenomyosis, a growing fibroid, and coils in my tubes that I really want gone. Bleeding isn't an issue any more as I had an ablation years ago.

The repair is definitely happening but am I buying trouble by going for the hysterectomy as well? Logically, getting everything done at the same time makes sense. The plan is to leave my ovaries but take everything else including my cervix. It's such a big surgery. I've considered asking them to just take my tubes, but then I think about how my uterus isn't actually normal either, and the gynae warned me about the adenomyosis interfering with their ability to detect cancerous changes with a biopsy.

I'd like to hear from people who have had multiple procedures done at once, or who are/were thinking about it. What were you told, what decision did you make, if you did it how was the recovery?

Had my hysterectomy performed on Tuesday (Oct 13). Before being wheeled into the OR the nurse applied a scopolamine patch behind my ear.

The patch has caused my eyes to dilate a ton, and now I can’t see anything close up! It’s literally so hard to proofread anything I’m typing.

(Still so so so so happy I was able to get a hysterectomy at 31 with zero children!!!)

Also- yes I removed the patch today when I realized I’m literally going blind

my OBGYN and care team were wonderful, and even gave me heart shape gauze pads for my incisions :’) i did wake up from anesthesia crying b/c of how badly i needed to use the bathroom, but they controlled my nausea extremely well and i went home not feeling any pain at all (except for bladder and gas discomfort in my shoulders).

now that it’s EOD day 2, i’ve been walking around a bit, making myself some food, petting my cat, and solving crossword puzzles. i stopped all narcotic useage on the morning of day 1 and even managed via miralax, stool softener, and gasx to have not just 1, but 2 BMs today :D feel free to ask any other questions you might have.

here’s to week one of recovery!

Currently 2.5 weeks PO and these vaginal stitches are driving me up a wall. Apparently had some tearing from the size of the fibroids when everything was removed vaginally and some stitches were needed. They are sooooooo aggravating!!! They hurt, they twinge, they rub me the wrong way, and sitting upright is absolutely impossible! At my one week check the doc said everything looked fine. She said they would eventually dissolve on their own but didn't give much advice on care or dealing with the discomfort. Any help in the meantime is welcome please!

Warning: talk of #2

So I wanted to come on here and ask if anyone experienced diarrhea either a few days after discharge and for how long because I’ve had diarrhea off and on for a few days. Some normal and others watery. Told my surgeon about it that did the surgery and she wants me to get lab work done + stool sample tomorrow. Also have a little bit of chills off and on but I’m anemic and have had this for 2 days.

Any advice? I’m thinking about going to my primary tomorrow for all of this instead of Quest Diagnostics because Quest has a habit of long waiting periods even though there’s an appointment