Is it irrational for me to want a hysterectomy at such a young age?

[Reecie324]

I'm sorry, this will probably be a long read, but it's much appreciated if you give your time to read it. I'm seventeen and would like to have a hysterectomy. It seems to be frowned upon to want to make this kind of decision at this age but hear me out, please. I started getting my menstrual cycle at nine years old, which is normal and everything was fine for the first year. I had very short and light cycles, but gradually, things got a lot worse. I started having unbearable pains during my cycles and had no idea why. At first I just brushed it off as my period getting a little worse because I was getting older. Then I went to my family doctor and for years he would tell me it was "growing pains." I would have dizzy spells due to these "growing pains" and would sometimes be unable to move. It kept getting worse, the pains weren't just during my cycle anymore, they were all the time. Instead of having three day cycles I was having three week long cycles. It was awful. One day, four years ago, I was cramping and bleeding very bad, when I wasn't even supposed to be on. I had decided to go to school anyways because I had dealt with worse. In the middle of class, I passed out from the pain and mom finally decided enough was enough and took me to the emergency room. And finally, after years of being told they were just normal pains, we got answers. They did many tests, and first I found out that I had a misformed uterus and a part of it was blocked and had fluid that it couldn't release and it was inflamed. We also found out that both of my ovaries were incased in cysts of different sizes and some were rupturing. I was given medicine and referred to a gyno before they sent me off. We went on to find out that I also have endometriosis, and fibroids. They also suspect adenomyosis. They've already told me that my chances of having a child a very low and the chances of being able to carry, at least to term, if I do get pregnant are extremely low and the possibility of miscarriage are high. It didn't really bothering me getting this news because when I was four, I decided I was going to adopt and my mind hasn't wavered since. They've tried many different methods to try and help me, I've had a few surgeries and during my first surgery to have endometrial tissue removed, they implanted an IUD to help with the heavy bleeding and painful cramps. So far nothing has worked for my pain. Including the wide range of medication they have me on. The IUD has helped the bleeding for the most part and I appreciate that so much but the pain has gotten even worse. My doctor went as far as having my mom pull me out of school and have me homebound because at times I have to hospitalized or can't walk due to the pain. I'm seeing several different specialists, and they've all told me that the only thing that they can think of that would officially end everything, is a hysterectomy. Thing is, not one of them is willing to do it. They feel that I am too young to make that decision and don't want me to regret not having children. And I understand that, but I'd much rather adopt and be happy with my kids and family than live my life in pain, in and out of the hospital and possibly lose any child I try to have myself. I want to live my life, not be controlled by this pain. But no one wants to help me. I've been diagnosed with depression since then and I feel that this has a lot to do with it. I'm honestly just tired now. I'm tired of being in pain, I'm tired of all this medication. I just don't feel like I can't take it anymore. I don't know what to do. I'm not even sure what I'm asking here, but anything would help. I'd really appreciate anything anyone has to say. Please and thank you.

[old_before_my_time]

You poor girl! Of course you're desperate for anything that will help hence your thinking a hysterectomy is the answer.

Did you know though that the uterus has important functions besides having babies? Those functions include hormonal, anatomical, skeletal and sexual.

As far as hormonal, the uterus works with the ovaries and tubes to produce health promoting hormones. That is why hysterectomy can cause impaired ovarian function or complete ovarian failure. The ovaries of women with all their parts produce hormones their whole lives. Ovary removal (castration) or impaired ovarian function has been shown to increase risk for heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, hip fracture, impaired memory and cognition, dementia, parkinsonism, mood disorders, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, adverse ocular and skin changes, sleep disorders, more severe hot flushes, sexual dysfunction.

The uterus has anatomical functions. It separates the bladder and bowel and keeps them anchored in their proper places. Hysterectomy displaces these organs causing dysfunction especially down the road.

Hysterectomy also destroys skeletal integrity since the uterus' ligaments are the support structures for the pelvis. Those ligaments keep the hip bones, spine and rib cage where they belong. Everything shifts after hysterectomy. This leads to back and hip problems and reduced mobility over time. It also explains why women's figures change after hysterectomy.

Studies show an increased risk of thyroid and renal cell (kidney) cancer after hysterectomy even when ovaries are left in place.

You said you had surgery to remove some of the "endometrial tissue." Was this inside or outside the uterus? Did they do a biopsy to diagnose endometriosis? If not, then they cannot say for sure if you have endometriosis. And hysterectomy with or without ovary removal is not a cure for endometriosis (endo) since endo implants / lesions exist throughout the pelvis.

I had a hysterectomy 12 years ago at age 49 and it has turned my life upside down. I aged 10-15 years in just 4 months. However, I did not live with chronic pain.

I urge you to research this subject extensively and also make sure you have a definitive diagnosis so you can research those conditions and determine proper treatments along with ALL the risks and benefits. The HERS Foundation is a good resource of the many after effects of hysterectomy.

Hysterectomy is one of the top overused surgeries (90+% are unnecessary) and women are not provided with the many negative effects from gynecologists.

I wish you the best in getting treatment that improves your situation and doesn't leave you with a whole new set of problems!