Why I Chose To Have A Hysterectomy

"Don't you know a hysterectomy isn't a cure for endometriosis?"

"Have you tried *insert a million and one things including yoga and kale*, because that worked for me?!"

When I finally chose to have the big H, I reached out for support from those who have been in the same position. Sadly, I found I had to defend my choices against those that thought they knew my body better than me.

Before I go any further, I must mention that a hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis. It may help relieve some symptoms for some people. But please, as with any treatment, make informed choices for your own body.

My body, my choice!

I'm 35 and I'm just over 2 months post-total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. That basically means: cervix, womb, ovaries and tubes - gone! Recovery hasn't been easy and is still very much ongoing.

My decision to undergo this surgery wasn't taken lightly. It took 3 appointments over the course of a year to even get my consultant to consent to it and before signing on the dotted line, she made me very aware that the surgery may do nothing for my endometriosis. Something I already knew. But, it was a choice I made long before this. Baby first, then hysterectomy.

The baby route was complicated, to say the least and along the way, I found out that my body didn't work like it should. I wasn't able to have children naturally and our IVF pregnancy brought along it's own set of issues meaning that we didn't want, nor could we afford to go through another round of treatment. My reproductive system was rendered useless.

By the time I got the go ahead for surgery, I was in the midst of a 14 month period. I was exhausted and the bleeding only exacerbated my other illnesses. My periods were horrendous until the bitter end.

Did I really want to continue this way?

As long as I've had endometriosis (23 years), I hoped that something may bring relief. Sadly, nothing ever has. Would a hysterectomy finally give me that relief? Maybe. Maybe not. But, if none of it worked how it should, then what was the point in keeping it all?

My mama also played a big part. She is post-menopause and yet continues to suffer with pain and bleeding. She was never diagnosed with endometriosis, but she suffered the same as me. Mama started the menopause early and I was showing all the symptoms too. I had been eagerly awaiting the menopause for some relief and yet, she hadn't found it and I worried I would be in the same boat.

On top of all that, I suffered an ischemic colitis attack last year and endometriosis is still in the running as to the cause. Having such a serious medical emergency happen changed my perspective on a lot of things.

There are a lot of reasons behind my choice, but, only time will tell if I have made the right choice for me.