OK … considering a hysterectomy at 42

[Perriwinkles]

Right … so … I’ve been in pain all day with day 2 of my period. All my plans for the day had to be cancelled apart from meeting a friend which I powered through.

I’ve had painful periods since my first period. I remember crying at the kitchen table when I was 12 but was told to just deal with it! I took myself to the GP at age 17 and I went on the pill from age 17 to 33 and that calmed it down. Once I came off the pill, slowly but surely it all came back: the intense period pain in my back, abdomen and thighs, severe bloating (I look 5 months pregnant right now, no exaggeration) and fatigue.

I have had normal smears and an ultrasound that only showed ‘functional cysts’ which I’m told are normal. Sex has always been painful in all but the missionary position and I told the doctor this when getting a smear but she didn’t say much. I never got any pleasure out of PiV sex.

Basically … I’ve had it!

I’m so fed up …

I never got to have children and don’t plan to now & have made my peace with that.

Have any of you done this? I’m not in menopause. I still have regular periods despite some spotting before and after my period.

I’m giving a hysterectomy serious consideration as my quality of life is just gone for half the month. I get PMS for at least a week before the period to the point that I can’t trust my own decisions in that time and had post-menstrual depression as a teenager.

Would a GP entertain this? Do you know anyone who has done this? Any info? Thank you x

@tcjotm

Yeah I feel fobbing off is the norm.

@Lollyjack

It ain’t easy being a woman, that’s for sure!

Couple of thoughts - there is a book by Michelle Heaton (from PopStars - back in about 2001!) called “Motherhood, the menopause and me”.

She was diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene (I think) so had an elective mastectomy and and hysterectomy. She talks through the hysterectomy and the implications of going through the menopause in her 30s.

I am a similar age to you and (excluding when ttcing or pregnant) have been on some form of contraceptive pill or other since I was about 16. I am currently on the mini pull which seems to be pretty good - no periods - just occasional slight breakthrough bleeding. I did once - at about 18 - decide to go “natural” and come off the pill wanting to “not pollute my body with chemicals”. But then I realised how rubbish that was and speedily went back on again! (Think I lasted 2 months!)

Not sure what the pill / mini pill does to my moods - I have never really been without it.

I really think you have to keep on at them to get them to listen and keep pushing for referrals, tests etc the more information you have to throw at them the better.
I think if you call and email they'll soon realise your not going to give in. Even threaten with making a complaint against them. It's not right to have to live with these problems and have them take over your life.

Thanks @Mumoftwoinprimary and @Vanillaskystar x

I did worry about the space that will be left by my uterus but it's taking up a hell of a lot of room at the moment so would rather it be gone!