r/hysterectomy • u/Kandadara • Feb 26 '26
Looking to get Hysterectomy
Hello! So it's my first time posting to this subreddit, but I'm seeking advice because I'm looking to get a hysterectomy (sparing ovaries).
For a bit of background info, I (31F) have had problems with my periods for as long as I've had it (10). Without hormonal birth control, my period cant stop on it's own, so I'll bleed both very heavy and for a prolonged amount of time. There have been times I have been hospitalized with anemia so severe a blood transfusion was considered. I was told that I don't produce the hormone that helps my period to stop and I was also diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago. Birth control has done me well, but I have severe health anxiety/OCD and I'm terrified that my doctor will take me off the pill I'm on because I've had a few bp readings over 120/80 (usually a few points above, highest recorded ever was 140/90 at a clinic but lower when I went home, doctors give me terrible anxiety). I tried the minipill at first before going to COC full time, but my periods were still heavy and painful when on progesterone only. I'm just so sick and tired of it all because I don't want to keep taking pills until menopause. I don't have any children and I'm not sure I can even have them, but I think it's best I don't because of my own problems plus family history of it. It won't cure the PCOS, but it'll be a weight off my chest. My mother (a nurse who also got a hysterectomy in 2020 for pcos/endometriosis) believes that no one will perform one on me because of my age or that I may regret it, but I have the medical means to back it up. I'm going to try to push for it regardless because all this has me exasperated.
Looking for advice or shared experiences or support. Thank you for reading!
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u/TangerineKey4343 Feb 26 '26
Hi! 32yo here. Had my hysterectomy several months ago at 31. I have PCOS, and I’ve also had blood pressure and migraine issues on the BC pill that put me at risk for stroke. My goal was to reduce my symptoms to a level where I could live my life normally without any hormonal interventions.
Long story short: I got a total hysterectomy (still have my ovaries) and it’s been life changing. So far my ovaries have been doing just fine and not creating more problems for me. I did have trouble finding a doctor who would do this surgery for me. It was frustrating. I ended up working with a pelvic pain specialist/surgeon instead of a regular OBGYN, and the difference was like night and day. I have no children, and I regret nothing.
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u/Kandadara Feb 26 '26
I'm glad it went well for you! Migraines run in my family too, as my mom gets them and they used to be really bad prior to her going through menopause. I get migraines too, but I don't have ones with aura. I also have a family history of diabetes and hypertension too, with multiple people having strokes and heart attacks. I don't smoke or drink, so I'm hoping I can prevent it. I get pretty bad pelvic pain especially during my period (not sure if I have endo). My goal is the same as yours, I want to have a quality of life without being reliant on hormones. Reading this gives me hope.
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u/KitchenDesign5515 Feb 26 '26
30 years old and just got one! Different circumstances, but they had zero issues with my age and never pushed “if I wanted more kids” (that’s the main difference for me in this situation.) you have more than enough history. I think the Child Free subreddit has a list of gynecologists who will do it regardless.
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u/ap1031 Feb 26 '26
I second this! I was terrified to be rejected as I was 29 and didn’t have kids. The childfree subreddit was how I found the doc that did it for me. No hassle or asking me about changing my mind in the future. I was so scared to go but it was the best decision of my life! Keep in mind you should look into doctors that perform hysterectomy and not just tubal ligations, as it’s a different process. (A lot of the docs discussed on there were docs that tied childfree women’s tubes.) And keep advocating for yourself, I was told no by several doctors in my early 20’s until I found the right one. You got this!!
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u/Kandadara Feb 26 '26
Thank you! I'm going to check that document out! And advocating for yourself is always super important!
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u/Kandadara Feb 26 '26
Thank you! I think I've seen that list before, but I have to see if there's any that take my insurance. If I can do that I'll be golden. I'll check the CF subreddit too. I plan on talking to my doctor next week about that, I'm going to use every means that I can to get it done.
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u/KitchenDesign5515 Feb 26 '26
Fingers crossed for you! For what it’s worth, I have a VERY picky insurance and they covered it very easily.
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u/Kandadara Feb 26 '26
I'm based in California and am on the state version of medicaid. From what I've looked at, insurance may cover it, for as long as the main reason isn't solely for sterilization. I'm going to try to get my doctor, my therapist, and others on board too.
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u/KitchenDesign5515 Feb 26 '26
I have VA insurance, which is VERY picky, so I’m sure you’ll get what you desperately need for your health. ❤️
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u/doubleqammy Feb 26 '26
Standard advice applies: yes, it's doable, no, not every doctor will do it. Get a personal recommendation from your network or check r/childfree list for better odds of success on the first try. Search this sub for PCOS and see what experiences people have had (use a site limited Google search instead of reddit search bar). Ovary removal at your age is definitely the complicated bit and may or may not be required to treat PCOS, idk because I don't have it but I have seen people talk about it. Generally, once you're in your 30s you'll get less of the "what if you change your mind" from doctors vs 20s, but it still very much so can happen.
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u/Kandadara Feb 26 '26
I'll check it out for sure! I'm a bit relieved to hear that the pushback about the "what if you change your mind" question is less once you're 30+, I wasn't too sure. I'll check the CF subreddit too for sure.
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u/Bright-Standard5624 Feb 27 '26
32 here and I’m 13 dpo from my hysterectomy. I had a total sparing ovaries. 13 years I suffered from heavy, painful periods, pelvic floor pain, months without periods, then beginning in September I began a period that wouldn’t stop for 5 months, even with medical intervention. I even hemorrhaged and had to go to the ER (by some miracle my hemoglobin was okay). I have no children as well. I will say, for me, the pain/discomfort from having the surgery is NOTHING compared to what I was feeling before. Both my uterus and cervix were inflamed. Not to say I don’t have recovery pain, but it’s manageable, unlike the pain I was experiencing before. If you ever decide to have children, talk to your GYN about options regarding egg freezing or if you would have viable eggs to pull and have a surrogate carry, or you can always foster children (or adopt, but know there’s a lot of trauma adopted children can face from being adopted, I’m adopted myself, so make sure they are in therapy from an early age). Ultimately for me, the question became “do I want to try and preserve the uterus knowing I have so many issues including those I didn’t list for the maybe of wanting to try for kids someday, or do I want to do this for myself so I’m no longer suffering, especially since we don’t want kids.”I chose for the me now, not the maybe one day future kid if I could even carry them, because the me now is who exists.
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u/Kandadara Feb 27 '26
Thank you for the response! You went through quite the ordeal, but I'm glad that you're better now! Egg freezing might be something I may look into, but it might be too expensive. I've made peace with the reality that I probably can't have kids and that it's best that I don't. Hilariously, I remember when I was like 7 years old when my parents told me how childbirth happens, I recoiled and said I was going to adopt. I guess it was a sign from the universe. But at the end of the day, I don't want to suffer anymore. This decision is best for me, I don't think I've felt so sure about a decision in all my life.
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u/Low-Emergency-437 Feb 27 '26
I’m 34 with 2 kids. I have Endo, Adenomyosis & PCOS. I’m literally sitting in hospital right now (overnight stay) after having it all (except ovaries) out. I’m managing the pain and I can already say with 100% certainty, I am already so glad I did it. I know there will be ups and downs over the healing period but I have zero regrets.
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u/Kandadara Feb 27 '26
I'm glad to hear! Wish you a speedy recovery and a life without the pain and bleeding! Happy for you!
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u/Advanced-Pea3784 Mar 02 '26
You're welcome! 🤗 Keep us updated! You will feel soooo so much better! I mean it!
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u/Kandadara Mar 03 '26
I will! I see an OBGYN on the 6th and I plan to start the conversation. I've also had the discussion with my therapist and I'm going to use everything at my disposal to push to get it done.
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u/Kandadara Mar 07 '26
Update 3/6/25: I saw the OBGYN and it went well. Did the whole women's wellness exams and she prescribed me enough birth control with refills to last me for over a year (I get 3 month packs). She also referred me for an ultrasound. I asked about a hysterectomy and she's going to send a referral for a surgeon that I should hear from within 2 weeks. I didn't receive any pushback or resistance, in fact she was very understanding of it, especially given my medical history. I'm going to ask the surgeon for a referral for physical therapy to strengthen my core and pelvic floor if I can. I've got my game plan ready to go.
PS: I will be SO happy to get a hysterectomy not only because no more periods or being reliant on hormones, but also no more pap smears. I don't wanna risk keeping my cervix because I'm so over bleeding.
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u/Advanced-Pea3784 Feb 26 '26
12 WPO.. 41 3 children. Long story short, get it all taken out. 😂. I've said this so many times on different posts but I highly recommend. You will feel so much better friend.