to have a hysterectomy aged 25?

[Kimberly343]

I have two DCs, I always imagined my life with two children. We live in a 3 bedroomed home with no wish to move and love that the DCs each have their own 'space'. Another DC is definatley off the cards, my second DC was born with a genetic disease that limits their life dramatically so any further children we would either need to pay privatley for PGD IVF or run the risk of another child affected/terminate a pregnancy after testing. All of these would be a great strain on us all.

I spoke to my GP about a hysterectomy as I don't get on well with hormonal contraception, had a coil fall out and have horrendous periods. The GP practically laughed it off and said I am far too young to be considered and I am likely to change my mind. I definatley will not, regardless of my circumstances I 100% don't want any more children, shall I see another GP or am I silly to do this?

I had a hysterectomy at 30 years old for extremely heavy periods that left me anaemic and barely functioning. I would bleed for 24 days out of 30, be unable to leave the house for the first 6 days and have awful pain and diarrhoea as well (sorry if TMI).
I didn't want any more children and, quite frankly, it was the best thing ever for me. Yes, I had an early menopause but I also got my life back.

I doubt many drs would be happy to sterilise, or do an ablation on someone age 25 for the very reasons I've said. Too permanent for a woman who is wanting to end her fertile life at an age younger than the average age for having a first child!

Coming from someone who had a hysterectomy last year, don't.

I had a barrage of gynaecological issues including cervical cancer cells, so I NEEDED the surgery.

However, they fail to tell you the downside. Menopause (even with hrt) adult onset asthma, bone issues, bad skin, weight gain, thyroid issues. The list goes on.

I was 33.

Having one for contraceptive reasons is just bizarre and you e obviously not researched it properly.

OP, you're failing to understand that it's not just about you wanting to have no further children.

At your age and with no pre-existing medical conditions it just would not be feasible on the NHS. And even if you went private you'd have to find a doctor and a surgeon as high as fuck to agree to it.

Mavis Thank you for your comment, I'm also anaemic, which alongside my underactive thryoid leaves me knackered despite taking iron and trying to get an iron rich diet, I just feel rubbish all the time.

I have thought about different 'scenarios' in my life and none make me reconsider, most of the women on my side of the family have had menopause in their early 40s.

No I do understand its more than just me saying I don't want more children, but I just don't understand why age has so much bearing on any form of sterilisation, at what age can a woman be 'ready' and then surely at the other end of the scale what would be the point if you are nearing your age of fertility it would also then be a waste of money as you wouldn't have many fertile years left.

I had a hysterectomy about six years ago and had everything out, I was 43 and had sound medical reasons for it.

At 25 you are quite rightfully being refused such major surgery, it's a huge mental and physical hurdle to overcome once done.

I DON'T think YABU.
You've clearly done some serious thinking and research about this decision and you have very clear reasons as to why this is important to you personally and your families future. It's YOUR body and you should be supported by your health care professionals. Good luck 🍀

I'm 35 got 2 boys youngest has a autism. I recently have been so anemic I lost my taste I ended up having a iron transfusion.

This is all down to my periods, they are not wanting to even sterilise me, and looked like I had grown a extra head when I asked for a hysterectomy.

There will not be any Gp willing to put you forward to have a hysterectomy, even if they referred you. When you got the consultant appointment they would never agree to it.

Why would your husband not get a vasectomy instead? My husband got the snip age 30, we had no issues from docs. My husband went to the appointment, explained he had three kids and if we all died he would not want anymore with me, or with anyone else. He was quite certain and it was done within 12 weeks. So much easier, and less invasive for men to deal with permanent contraception.

Again OP there are numerous women with heavy periods , anaemia and thyroid problems that still doesn't necessitate having major surgery especially when the NHS are strapped for cash . I'm sorry but if you want it , save and pay for it and in the meantime keep pushing for a sterilisation for either you or your partner .

I got my tubes tied at 26 after having 2 children. My doctor was totally supportive. I knew I didn't want any more, and I'm 44 now and have never regretted it. If you can't get yours tied, get your husband to get a vasectomy. Not having to worry about getting pregnant is awesome.

No gynaecologist who enjoys their licence to practice will consider a hysterectomy for those reasons. You can be referred to a gynaecologist but they are more likely to recommend the Mirena coil as a first line and your GP will know this too

I've had the Mirena coil, I have tried almost every type of contraceptive, including both the combined, and progestrone only pill, the implant, injection, the copper and mirena coil. None of these control my periods and most just make me feel awfully hormonal using. I am now on the progestrone only and condoms as this is the 'better' of all the options I've tried.

Getting sterilised is hard enough, under my local health authority, they prefer doing vasectomies. Until I had my consultation to be sterilised, I didn't realise the potential complications, the amount of time I would have needed off work and the fact the success rate isn't great and the procedure can't be repeated if it doesn't work.

Would your DH consider a vasectomy? DH's was done within 3 months of deciding to get it done and he missed 2 days of work compared to the 4 months I was recommended to take.

Ok, so there is far more to it than just contraceptive needs.

Have you spoken to your GP?
I don't think that a referral for a conversation with a gynaecologist would be unreasonable.

You will be asked to consider uncomfortable questions: if you were with a new partner who did not have children, might you regret the fact you could not have kids with him? If (careful, most awful of all considerations coming up) you lost one of your DCs, are you sure you might not feel the need to consider a further pregnancy??

IMO you need to speak to a doctor in RL, somebody who knows you and your past medical history

For the record, I know more than one woman who had hysterectomies in their 20s, for various reasons (not cancer).

No harm in exploring your options, but you do need to be realistic about what you are asking for.

And, as a gynaecologist once said to me, you can never undo an operation; once operated on, anatomy is for ever altered.

I had a hysterectomy 19 years ago at 33. it was the best thing that had ever happened to me and I got it for heavy periods. I also had the well meaning 'you're married to an older man who works a dangerous job what if...' stuff. I knew that I would never want another child, no matter what happened.

I had tried everything before it - the best had to be when told that I would not get a period the same week as a D&T and I flooded for 5 days... Stick to your guns. A genetic disease is something they should take into consideration. You definitely need to be referred to a specialist. An early hysterectomy does not necessarily mean early menopause or any other problems.

What abut sterilisation and an ablation
? I d an ambulatory done at 43 for horrendous periods and haven't had one since. They really effected me

No I do understand its more than just me saying I don't want more children, but I just don't understand why age has so much bearing on any form of sterilisation, at what age can a woman be 'ready'

This may be hard for you to accept, but it's recently been shown (by psychologists etc) that adolescence lasts to age 25.
I know you feel very mature at 25 as you have 2 children and yes, everyone is different.

However, this is the reason that such operations are denied for lifestyle reasons. The unpalatable truth is that people change.

You haven't engaged with the question 'what if one of your children died' or 'what if both your children and DH died'. You cannot be 100% sure you'd not want more children.

Drs, in their role, and the first rule being 'Do no harm' are always going to be cautious about operations that destroy fertility in women your age.

This should not be too difficult to understand.

My mother had a hysterectomy in her 30s for period problems, then took HRT for 30 years or so.

This was in the late 70s, and her kind of problem would now be treated differently (likely ablation).

You haven't engaged with the question 'what if one of your children died' or 'what if both your children and DH died'. You cannot be 100% sure you'd not want more children.

I genuinely find this scenario very bizarre. If my DH or DCs died, they can never be 'replaced' and I wouldn't suddenly want more children or a new family.

You'll probably struggle to find a GP willing to refer you. I'm 37, I have 6 children (5 biological) including 2 with health issues, one of whom will likely need lifelong care. My two youngest were a result of contraception failure and my DH has been advised not to have any unnecesary procedures due to blood clotting issues and a problem with anaesthetic. I still cannot get any GP's in my practise to agree adn refer me. I've had to begin a complaints procedure as I actually 'qualify' going by the guidelines for my area.

Well, I'm a GP and I would refer you.

You'd still need to find a surgeon/gynaecologist who is prepared to remove an organ at your request.
I suspect they will advise sterilisation + ablation as a first and less permanent/less risky step.