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 feel like some posters are getting the issue confused.

A hysterectomy is NOT an elective surgery an OP is completely unreasonable for wanting one to address heavy periods and contraception.

OP can get sterilised, the NHS is pushing back but I'm sure she can find a private doctor who will do it. And in fact all we've seen is that she spoke to her GP who said she's too young, she hasn't even pursued all roads within the NHS for us to know for sure they definitely won't give her one.

If OP struggles with the side effects of Mirena honestly a hysterectomy which can cause premature menopause, increased risk of heart disease, and prolapse - plus a very lengthy recovery period - does not seem like something she will be able to handle.

pencils , don't be so ridiculous , do you think the many female gynaecologists there are would go round doing hysterectomies and sterilisations on all and sundry without having a good reason . Stop trying to make it into an issue that it is not .

I am agreeing with Pencils. When I said to my gynae about a hysterectomy- he said 'This isn't the 70s you know! We don't just whip out women;'s wombs'.

laudable sentiments- except I was 48, with heavy periods causing anaemia, fibroids, two auto immune diseases and NO desire to have children. So I had to have a Mirena- under GA as my cervix wouldn't open.

And then the bloody thing became dislodged by a fibroid and I had to have it removed.

I think if you would need IVF/PIGT to have any other children anyway, they would sterilise you on the NHS. There are normal age guidelines but a Dr can make an exception. My DH was sterilised without a fuss under 35 as I could die if I fell pregnant again.

If OP wants more children, and needs IVF and embryo selection anyway, tied tubes don't make much difference. The do make a difference to accidental pregnancies.

A hysterectomy seems a bit drastic-any reason why you can't have a tubal ligation? As for your GP-what ac* (pun intended). You can always just pay to have the procedure done privately, they normally do what you ask in the private sector.

'This isn't the 70s you know! We don't just whip out women;'s wombs'.

I understand how this will have sounded to you, but many gynaecologists will have been around to remember huge numbers of hysterectomies being carried out for heavy bleeding and the complications this cost. There is not doubt that statistically speaking many, many women have been spared post-op complications due to the availability of IUS/ablation etc.

Again, having said that, your body, your choice as long as it's an informed choice.

Now, define 'informed'.
More difficult that one might think.

Floralnomad, women absorb society's prevailing attitudes just as much as men, especially when the attitudes are unconscious, not talked about or taboo.

That's why so many women judge other women on appearance (esp. lack of effort IME) or the state of our homes. It's why so many women think rape is usually at least partly the woman's fault and why so many women think body hair is dirty. It's why so many women prefer a male boss or think the pay gap isn't real because if women didn't choose to have babies they could work as hard as men and earn just as much.

I think society's prevailing attitudes around male vs. female sterilisation are built on a very strong unspoken taboo. It's not OK for a woman to say, 'that's it, I no longer want to be fertile ever again. I don't want to have to even think about it.'

Patriarchy was built on the control of women's fertility so this stuff runs very deep.

Hello! please do consider endometrial ablation which can be done without open surgery and will make a big difference . It basically removes most of the lining of the womb without taking the womb itself. Also if you are not on tranexamic acid, please ask your doctor if you are suitable. and certainly take lots of iron. Hope you are referred to a good gynae. also do you know the reason for the bleeding - is it a fibroid, for example? if you do have a hysterectomy you would need to do something to maintain bone density etc but if you can't take hormones that could be an issue. anwyay good luck and do get referred to a gynae. I made the mistake of tolerating too much bleeding too long and got dangerously anaemic. it can affect your heart....