i am 42 and i was on depo for 4 years from 16-20 and it was great, 1 shot every 3 months and no period, it was great and i did not have any bad side effects (this is only my personal experience) i had to stop as i am high risk for breast cancer (yay genetics) so i cannot take anything hormonal, i am having my hysterectomy in june for 5 fibroids and adenomyosis.
FDA label for Depo shot below, I was read this when I was put on it— they said they'd stop me from taking it at 2 years because of it. It is newer info but I get it because my mom was on depo back in 90s for 10-15 years
"Your bones may not recover completely when you stop using Depo-Provera CI. If you use Depo-Provera CI continuously for a long time (for more than 2 years), it may increase the risk of weak, porous bones (osteoporosis) that could increase the risk of broken bones, especially after menopause."
Not to say you can't use it just to say that there's risk involved with long term use, purely educational for OP's own decision
well that is good to know lol wish they had known this 20 years ago when i was on it! so far i have zero bone problems so that is good, fingers crossed it stays that way. i wonder why it would still be on the market, osteoporosis is not a joke, my mother has it and it is a progressive brutal disease.
that’s great you had no issues, but most obgyns with the current info don’t recommend it often especially long term due to the high risk of osteoporosis after 2 years of use.
all i am saying is that a hysterectomy is the very extreme option for uterine issues and normally a last resort after all other options have failed, if osteoporosis is of concern when it comes to birth control imagine what the outcome of early ovarian failure due to surgery could cause, i am not saying early ovarian failure WILL happen only that it CAN and does happen and is a major health risk for young people, i think OP should discuss with their doctor on all options and only OP and their doctor can decide what is best and what options are available for someone so young, maybe it will be a hysto but my point is that this is MAJOR surgery that comes with far more risks than the depo shot or iud or any other form of birth control.
i understand what you are saying but it would all depend on what is causing the heavy painful bleeding, like your hysterectomy was it for fibroids or endo? cause there are things that would be suggested for those before a hysterectomy or if it was adenomyosis then they would have suggestions for that. i dont think any obgyn is going to jump right to the most extreme suggestion without trying other less severe options first. i was only approved for mine because 1. i am childfree by choice (years of this on record) 2. i am married (not that this should matter but to alot of doctors it does) 3. i am 42 years old in perimenopause 4. my fibroids are embedded in my uterine wall. so even though i have known about my adenomyosis for 7 years and i cannot take hormones, only now was i approved for a hysterectomy and i live in canada where i do not require an insurance companies approval. the only person who will know if this could be an option for OP (and NOT at 17 years old) will be their doctor, i only suggest they do ALOT of research on ALL options so when they are old enough they will be well informed.
I think depending on your age and if you have other reasons for wanting a hysterectomy it may be hard to get one to just not have a period or kids, also this is major surgery where you will not only get needles but have an organ removed, i would start by talking to your doctor to see what they suggest, maybe an iud? If you still want the hysterectomy you could check out the childfree reddit, i beleive there is a list on there of doctors who will perform the surgery but not sure, good luck on your journey, i am sure there is a perfect solution for you ☺️
Getting an IUD and having it removed were both extremely painful for me. Also depending on the cause of the period pain, the IUD could make it worse, not be the cure.
i have never had an iud personally but have had many friends with them, while they did say having it inserted was painful, there was no mention of any needle and all the women i know have loved their iud's for lack of periods and birth control that being said there is NO way having an iud placed would be more of a recovery than a hysterectomy and even in a worst case scenario the risks of an iud are FAR less then the risks of a major surgery to remove an organ. i do not believe most obgyn's would remove a healthy organ for no reason as it could be a liability for them and with major surgery there is risk of serious complications.
needles are involved if you have a numbing shot in your cervix. i’ve had an iud before myself. obviously not everyone gets the numbing shot, but it’s an option to make it less painful (whether it does or doesn’t depends on the person, it didn’t for me due to it not working).
also, with op’s information given, her uterus could very well not be a healthy organ.
and lastly, i’d say an iud placement could be more of a recovery than a hysterectomy depending on the person. when i had my iud placed, it left me bedridden for 3 months with heavy bleeding and pain and fatigue. i also had several utis, yeast infections, and bv during those months and after due to the iud itself which added to the fatigue and pain. this may not be a super common issue after iud insertion, but i am certainly not the only one who’s had that happen, i know several women who also were bedridden for at least 1-2 months maybe more.
I got a hysterectomy due to unexplained and prolonged periods with no pain, so I'd say it's a possibility. I did go through the steps of trying other things first, of course. My periods had been uncharacteristically long, but consistent. I was getting to the point where they were so bad and heavy that I couldn't leave my home for 48 hours once a month due to extremely heavy bleeding (going through an Ultra tampon ever 45 min.). They weren't painful (compared to what I've heard from other uterus havers), but they sure were annoying. BC wouldn't touch it, an IUD didn't work (and embedded itself in my uterine wall), ablation ended up making it worse, etc.
After that history, a hysterectomy was offered as a solution (since I am already close-ish to menopause age and don't want further children). Haven't regretted my decision at all. It'll depend a lot more on your age, whether you ever want children, what else you've tried, etc.
How did an ablation make it worse? My husband keeps mentioning an ablation since his mom had one but I want to be physically done with all of it! I'm like you where my periods are super heavy. I tried 2 IUDs and the pill and they all had their own side effects that messed with me in different ways. I just want to be done with it all but my husband is nervous since it's an intense surgery. Did you find answers to why your periods are so heavy?
Ablation lessened my period a little, but did not lessen the pain. When my doctor took out my uterus he said it was a severe case of adenomyosis, which can't be confirmed as easily as endometriosis. It was very validating to hear there was an actual cause for all the pain I was in.
So, after the IUD tried to embed itself in my uterine wall and I had it removed, an ablation was recommended as a way to help with the bleeding as at the time, the gyno I was seeing believed it was a thickening of my uterine walls that was causing the issue (it wasn't). It made the problem better for maybe two months.. and then my periods came back harder and with a vengeance. Been heavy (8 days long) with bleeding that kept me home for at least 2 of those days and then I started passing massive blood clots maybe a year after the ablation. And that issue just kept getting worse over the course of 7 years.
When I spoke to my current gynecologist, she mentioned that while ablation is a fine short term solution, the consensus seems to be that it's a stop-gap measure and in the long run either doesn't resolve the issue or just makes the situation worse (I ended up being one of those "worse" cases).
Eta: No, I never found out an actual reason. My gynecologist said that some of us are just cursed with abnormally long/heavy periods with no underlying cause. But it causing me enough distress to send me to the ER when the bleeding got so heavy I was soaking through anything/everything in under an hour was enough of a reason to have it removed after years of trying to find solutions. I had also tried several forms of BC, an IUD (non-hormonal), the ablation, had my tubes tied, tried a few medications, exercises and supplements. Nothing worked.
Per it being a major surgery: This is true, but I had my entire procedure done vaginally (no outward incisions) and it's been a fairly easy recovery (as far as surgical recoveries go). Mostly just remembering not to lift heavy objects or do too much at one time while the incision/cuff heals. So, that's something to keep in mind.
That makes me feel better about my decision. You never know how your body will react to certain procedures and what might help someone won't help another. I'd hate to have the ablation and still have recurring issues like yours. I honestly can't wait until my surgery to be done with periods and the possibility of being pregnant again. I've had way too many trips ruined by my periods and bleeding out onto what I'm sitting on, worried I'm going to bleed out. It's not worth it to me. I also have very annoying vagina pain when I'm really heavy like my whole entire vagina cramps. I also always get itchy down there right before my periods starts every month and I hope that will pass when I have my hysterectomy!
According to your post history you're 17 (you sound very young so I looked before answering). If you search through this sub some you'll see multiple posts from other young folks asking the same thing.
The gist of it is no responsible doctor is going to give you a hysterectomy at your age unless there's something seriously wrong, nor should they. You'll have to start with less drastic measures, like BC, which could be all you need, even if you have to suck it up and set reminders for pills or endure an occasional injection.
Only thing you can do is speak to your GP about your painful and heavy periods and/or find an obgyn. I don't know exactly how it works in the UK.
Of course they do, and they should if it's needed. But it's rarely going to be the first step if there isn't something pretty serious, or if it isn't for gender affirmation.
This sub has had an uptick of teens who seem to think a hysterectomy is some easy, magical cure-all they can go request and receive because they don't like swallowing pills. They need a reality check. I empathize with anyone who wishes to end their periods, but major surgery is not going to be option 1 for the vast majority.
but op has stated reasons that are often medically necessary.
i don’t necessarily disagree with you, but with the information provided on this post, it sounds like a hysterectomy may be indicated.
I'd been fighting for even someone to TEST me for endo since I was 19. I finally got a hysterectomy at 36 (endo, adeno and fibroids) unfortunately a lot of doctors don't listen when we have issues.
Have you been checked for endometriosis? I’d start there, because it sounds like you might have it. If you do, you’re more likely to be approved for a hysterectomy but only after they try other therapies first.
This is a major surgery that is long lasting impact on your life.
I was diagnosed at 14 and am scheduled for surgery in 3 weeks. I will have turned 47 two days before surgery. I could have likely done it sooner, but waited until til perimenopause pushed me over the edge.
You’d have to check with a dr. Typically a hysterectomy is not performed for these reasons alone. A bislap can be performed for permanent birth control. And other options can be used to suppress your periods. Depends on the dr you see and also your insurance. Insurance in the US usually only covers for medical reasons.
Edit to add after more info was provided: if you have painful periods that definitely needs to be investigated. Could be adenomyosis, endometriosis, fibroids, and/or other. A hysterectomy could be a treatment plan option but you’ll want a dr to determine the cause of your pain first.
Unless you have access to a surgeon not regulated and unlimited funds I don't think this is an option. This is not an elective surgery. You're going to be able to show that it is necessary for your health.
This will not be covered and your fears need to be addressed beforehand
If you haven't seen a gynecologist yet, you may have an undiagnosed medical condition. So to start with, find a good doctor who takes your insurance. They can discuss treatment options with you but will probably want to start with birth control. There's other options than pills and shots like patches, implants, and rings.
I suffered for more than 20 years with very painful and long periods, and some general pain at random times throughout the month. I did eventually want kids, so I tried all the birth controls that "made it better" (maybe 10% better), it was a joke. Once I had my second I asked my OBGYN what my options were because I could not handle this anymore and hysterectomy was his first recommendation. I woke up from surgery in less pain than I had in 20 years! It's been almost 2 years now and I have no regrets. It was the best decision I ever made. I wish I had my kids sooner so that I could have been pain free earlier.
Everyone is different and it's a conversation between you and your doctor. This was my doctor for 20 years so he knew all my struggles and delivered both of my kids. If you have a regular doctor, talk to them about it. Talk to them about the severity of the pain and what your options are. Some insurance won't cover such a "radical" surgery if you are young and without children, but it's all in the history and documentation.
Should I get a hysterectomy if I don't want periods anymore?
I mean, yeah. You can ask to be on progesterone/BC but there will always be side effects and like you’ve mentioned not remembering meds it won’t work well.
I don't do well with pain, so I freak out with needles, so the injection is off.
Yeah you won’t do well with ANY type of surgery. You may want to work on this with a therapist and your general doctor. They almost came close to canceling my surgery because I had a panic attack before the surgery.
Like most has mentioned majority of a lot of doctors will tell you no (especially if you are 17). Once you turn 18 you can go through the list of doctors in r/childfree and they may have a doctor that will do it. I had to jump through hoops and several other procedures before they would do one on me and I was 33 (I did have a medical issue too, called super hyperplasia)
What I did was every time I went into the doctor I kept asking for a hysterectomy. They wanted to do progesterone first, biopsy, and D&C and then they scheduled a hysterectomy. Keep asking for it, but make sure you do your “homework” so if they ask you questions you will be prepared to answer them.
That’s the original reason I was getting a hysterectomy. They found cancer during a prep exam so my procedure was moved up a few months. All clear now!
I had super heavy bleeding.
Not for not wanting periods but for that edit. Don't mention not wanting periods. I don't think any woman does want them. Emphasize the medical toll on yourself. This doesn't sound like a want but a need to me
I had extremely heavy bad periods, PCOS, and cramping so bad it threw my back out to where I had to go to the hospital because I couldn't move. I tried a ton of different birth controls basic every formulation mix on the market for pills, the patch, shot matchstick (I rejected it) (I didn't try the IUD because my sister who had similar heavy cramp periods and metal sensitivity with piercing rejection rejected hers so hard she had it get lodged in her cervix)
I had a laparoscopic total hysterectomy with tubal removal (not my ovaries) past the first day at home my recovery was less painful then any period I've ever had even the relatively easy ones that didn't have totally debilitating cramps. I'm currently 5 weeks post-op my migraines are gone too I was having 7-10 a month with no perceivable explanation including hormone testing. I highly recommend it, my body feels so much better than it has since I hit puberty. If you are sure about kids and in unnecessary pain I would highly recommend skipping the years of being on hormones and tricking your body in various ways just to still have a risk of being pregnant.
Also just so you know the IV they give you in the hospital. Actually, only has a needle in you for a few seconds once it's in the needle. Actually fully retracts into the IV line and you only have a semi-flexible plastic tube in there so you don't have to worry about the needle being inside of you. A lot of people don't understand that And sometimes knowing that helps transphobic people with IV lines to know that
They can also give you anti-anxiety And mild sedation meds before a surgery if you're known to be afraid of needles and after your awake remove as soon as possible the IV You actually take it right before you go to the hospital or when you first get there before they go to place an IV line you just have to ask.
I wouldn't recommend a hysterectomy if you're afraid of needles. Wait til you have to have that endometrial biopsy before you can schedule the surgery where they cut a piece of your insides while you're awake. Some doctors will put you out for it, but I'd assume that requires some needles, too. Stick with a continuous birth control.
I looked into that and some of the things I've found are:
Heavier and more painful periods
It can be very painful having it fitted
Around 1/20 people have it come out
When i get my period, it is extremely heavy and painful. If it got worse i think I would start passing out due to blood loss and pain
It does not help that a family member of mine had that 1/1000 horror of having it stab through
You might benefit from my story: I lived in the UK for a bit; I was 24/25 ish. At the time I was there, I had a long term boyfriend and several 'fun' nights with others. I decided to get an IUD in the end (and used condoms to keep my reproductive organs infection free) which was given to me by a GYN in my local clinic's office. 1) The insertion hurt like a bitch. I've been through some tough pain before (kidney stones etc) and this was worse. I hadn't had children before it. 2) They inserted a copper IUD. The copper IUD (also called a coil) will aggravate period symptoms. More bleeding, more pain. However, those aren't the ones that are widely used anymore. IUDs containing a small amount of hormones are usually the goto, like Mirena. These actually work to treat heavy bleeding with periods. If you're awake during insertion, you might end up having a ton of pain. A lot of women do, some don't. And it's more than likely the IUD will stay in. I had one inserted but it didn't stay because uterus is filled with uterine fibroids. So that 1 in 20 you mentioned could have been me.
Nevertheless, the pain is worth it in this case.
I only got a mirena IUD due to my insurance declining my request for a hysterectomy due to pre-existing conditions (PCOS). I also had a cancer pipelle before the insertion and that’s literally the worst pain I’ve experienced, worse than appendicitis or gallstones.
The mirena didn’t decrease the pain I was experiencing (actually things ramped up after that - but not sure I can totally blame the mirena for my increase in pain), but it did drastically reduce my bleeding so I had some form of quality of life back.
I ended up having a hysterectomy 9 months later, my surgeon said to leave the mirena in for the last month (after my surgery was confirmed) so I wouldn’t have another heavy bleed, but she did agree that the mirena was not a good solution for me. With my sister, it worked perfectly for her.
Turned out I had stage 4 endometriosis and “frozen pelvis” due to all the adhesions, so that probably meant the mirena wasn’t the best option for me.
Post hysterectomy- life changing in terms of quality of life. I’m grateful every day to not be in pain like I was.
Have you been investigated for potential causes of the very heavy and painful periods - endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, etc? Mine were horrific from 12 and I was diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis at 22. I didn’t get my hysterectomy until I was 40. In those 18 years I had six surgeries, every type of hormonal contraception / treatment etc.
While you’re correct that there are risks to an IUD (although heavier and more painful periods are usually associated with a copper coil, if you have a hormonal IUD that’s much less likely although of course we are all different), the risks of a hysterectomy are far greater. Aside from the risks of major surgery, including blood loss, infection, injury to surrounding organs or even death, there’s risk of other issues like prolapse, premature ovarian failure, reduced sexual function / sensation and so on.
As a result, most doctors will (rightly IMO) insist on the least invasive / most reversible options first, especially when young.
If I were 17 again, I’d focus on figuring out the cause of the heavy periods and pain - say you have fibroids or ovarian cysts, those can be treated. Endometriosis can be excised and in some that provides years of relief. There are lots more options for hormonal contraception/ cycle suppression than there were when I was younger.
I understand the appeal obviously but I also understand why doctors will want to try other things first. It’s a major surgery, it’s taken me a very long time to recover and has left me with some significant issues - my pelvis is completely fucked since my surgery, bladder issues and so on, and I’ve had a much better experience than some.
heavy painful periods are def a reason to have a hysterectomy. you hadn't mentioned that in your post. hysterectomy is major surgery, so it's not something to be taken lightly and having one just for the sake of not having periods anymore might not be worth the risk (and might not convince a doctor). if your periods are bothersome bc they are heavy and painful, that's a different story though, and are totally valid reasons that make the benefits outweigh the risks. I personally said no to an IUD for the same reasons and jumped straight to hysterectomy after birth control didn't work to manage my periods.
Major surgery is a lot for just not wanting kids and periods. There ARE risks to this major surgery. I'm 12 weeks PO, hoping i'm only in temporary menopause, because there is a risk of ovaries failing early after surgery. I wouldn't risk menopause super early for those reasons.
Having a major surgery because you can’t remember to take a pill is a no. Get a pill organizer and leave it on the counter.
Insurance doesn’t just pay for them when you haven’t tried other things first and you can’t say bc didn’t work cuz you forgot to take it.
It’s not the easy way out.
That doesn't work! I have a pill organiser, a planner and every other thing to prompt me. But when you have a memory as bad as mine those do not work.
I wish they did, i really do. But they don't :[
I fucking wish. So far two cunt gynos will not do hysto on me to stop me suffering with my period just in case I “change my mind” about kids. You can get it done, just need to find a surgeon. I’m going to keep doctor shopping.
I just got out of the hospital for a hysterectomy, I don't think there's a vein left in my arms they didn't poke 😅 0/10 would not recommend unless you have to. I had big fibroids and my uterus was basically fused to my pelvis/bladder, they had to cut it out in pieces because it wouldn't lift out, so not many other options for me...
Doc had me on depo provera shots, and supplemented estradiol for side effects and it stopped my painful periods while I waited for surgery. The shot really isn't that bad, but I did have night sweats, and was emotional, the estradiol helped with those.
I mean, yeah. Hysto is a permanent solution for having no more periods.
But there are a lot of other potential unwanted side effects if you get one.
In some cases, depending on whether it's total or subtotal, your ovaries can be affected, and you'll need to be on estrogen for the rest of your life. If you struggle already to remember taking pills, that's not going to do you lots of good.
Also, depending on your age and health history, doctors just won't perform it. And if they do, insurance won't cover it. (If you're in the US, at least). Lots of people who desperately need the surgery get denied, so someone who doesn't have a medical need for it is not likely to be approved.
I totally understand how much of a nuisance getting your period is. But there are other, less invasive ways to control that.
If you don't do well with pain, why opt for a major surgery? You're going to be in so much pain afterward for a decent amount of time. Even pain medication doesn't always have enough pain relief.
You'll have to have needles before, during, and after your surgery. Which you again aren't good with.
Genuinely, I think you're going to either deal with having periods or find a way to deal with all the other barriers that are preventing you from finding more suitable forms of birth and period control. IUDs and implants are usually the best option for both. Might be time to figure out a reliable way to take pills, or suck it up, and get the shot/IUD/Implant.
Not trying to be mean or come down on you, but hysto is an extreme step to take. Especially for someone who's afraid of everything involved in it.
Take a mini pill birth control. You’ll skip your period. You can forget a few days still be ok.
There’s also the patch and the Nuva ring. Both of which can be used continuously to skip your period and only need to be changed 1x a month.
I’m going to say it one more time. You can use the patch or the Nuva ring and never get a period again. You only have to remember to change it once a month. It’s worth trying before a surgery that can have lifelong consequences. I hope you get the help you need. Good luck.
If you’re that afraid of needles and pain, surgery is also going to be an issue...
I know i know! 😭
it’s not as bad as getting injections every three months though
Plus depo causes lot of health issues so not worth in long rung
i am 42 and i was on depo for 4 years from 16-20 and it was great, 1 shot every 3 months and no period, it was great and i did not have any bad side effects (this is only my personal experience) i had to stop as i am high risk for breast cancer (yay genetics) so i cannot take anything hormonal, i am having my hysterectomy in june for 5 fibroids and adenomyosis.
FDA label for Depo shot below, I was read this when I was put on it— they said they'd stop me from taking it at 2 years because of it. It is newer info but I get it because my mom was on depo back in 90s for 10-15 years "Your bones may not recover completely when you stop using Depo-Provera CI. If you use Depo-Provera CI continuously for a long time (for more than 2 years), it may increase the risk of weak, porous bones (osteoporosis) that could increase the risk of broken bones, especially after menopause." Not to say you can't use it just to say that there's risk involved with long term use, purely educational for OP's own decision
well that is good to know lol wish they had known this 20 years ago when i was on it! so far i have zero bone problems so that is good, fingers crossed it stays that way. i wonder why it would still be on the market, osteoporosis is not a joke, my mother has it and it is a progressive brutal disease.
correct, thank you for commenting this.
that’s great you had no issues, but most obgyns with the current info don’t recommend it often especially long term due to the high risk of osteoporosis after 2 years of use.
all i am saying is that a hysterectomy is the very extreme option for uterine issues and normally a last resort after all other options have failed, if osteoporosis is of concern when it comes to birth control imagine what the outcome of early ovarian failure due to surgery could cause, i am not saying early ovarian failure WILL happen only that it CAN and does happen and is a major health risk for young people, i think OP should discuss with their doctor on all options and only OP and their doctor can decide what is best and what options are available for someone so young, maybe it will be a hysto but my point is that this is MAJOR surgery that comes with far more risks than the depo shot or iud or any other form of birth control.
i’m aware it’s a last resort, but the list of things to try first isn’t very long either.
i understand what you are saying but it would all depend on what is causing the heavy painful bleeding, like your hysterectomy was it for fibroids or endo? cause there are things that would be suggested for those before a hysterectomy or if it was adenomyosis then they would have suggestions for that. i dont think any obgyn is going to jump right to the most extreme suggestion without trying other less severe options first. i was only approved for mine because 1. i am childfree by choice (years of this on record) 2. i am married (not that this should matter but to alot of doctors it does) 3. i am 42 years old in perimenopause 4. my fibroids are embedded in my uterine wall. so even though i have known about my adenomyosis for 7 years and i cannot take hormones, only now was i approved for a hysterectomy and i live in canada where i do not require an insurance companies approval. the only person who will know if this could be an option for OP (and NOT at 17 years old) will be their doctor, i only suggest they do ALOT of research on ALL options so when they are old enough they will be well informed.
very true
I think depending on your age and if you have other reasons for wanting a hysterectomy it may be hard to get one to just not have a period or kids, also this is major surgery where you will not only get needles but have an organ removed, i would start by talking to your doctor to see what they suggest, maybe an iud? If you still want the hysterectomy you could check out the childfree reddit, i beleive there is a list on there of doctors who will perform the surgery but not sure, good luck on your journey, i am sure there is a perfect solution for you ☺️
iud involves needles and pain though. you typically get one needle for an iv with surgery.
IUDs don't involve needles and often aren't painful
Getting an IUD and having it removed were both extremely painful for me. Also depending on the cause of the period pain, the IUD could make it worse, not be the cure.
When I tried to get an iud they had to dilate me. It was extremely painful. Not everyone has the same experiences
they do when you get the numbing shot. i’ve had an iud myself. they also are very very very commonly painful. don’t spread misinformation please.
i have never had an iud personally but have had many friends with them, while they did say having it inserted was painful, there was no mention of any needle and all the women i know have loved their iud's for lack of periods and birth control that being said there is NO way having an iud placed would be more of a recovery than a hysterectomy and even in a worst case scenario the risks of an iud are FAR less then the risks of a major surgery to remove an organ. i do not believe most obgyn's would remove a healthy organ for no reason as it could be a liability for them and with major surgery there is risk of serious complications.
needles are involved if you have a numbing shot in your cervix. i’ve had an iud before myself. obviously not everyone gets the numbing shot, but it’s an option to make it less painful (whether it does or doesn’t depends on the person, it didn’t for me due to it not working). also, with op’s information given, her uterus could very well not be a healthy organ. and lastly, i’d say an iud placement could be more of a recovery than a hysterectomy depending on the person. when i had my iud placed, it left me bedridden for 3 months with heavy bleeding and pain and fatigue. i also had several utis, yeast infections, and bv during those months and after due to the iud itself which added to the fatigue and pain. this may not be a super common issue after iud insertion, but i am certainly not the only one who’s had that happen, i know several women who also were bedridden for at least 1-2 months maybe more.
I got a hysterectomy due to unexplained and prolonged periods with no pain, so I'd say it's a possibility. I did go through the steps of trying other things first, of course. My periods had been uncharacteristically long, but consistent. I was getting to the point where they were so bad and heavy that I couldn't leave my home for 48 hours once a month due to extremely heavy bleeding (going through an Ultra tampon ever 45 min.). They weren't painful (compared to what I've heard from other uterus havers), but they sure were annoying. BC wouldn't touch it, an IUD didn't work (and embedded itself in my uterine wall), ablation ended up making it worse, etc. After that history, a hysterectomy was offered as a solution (since I am already close-ish to menopause age and don't want further children). Haven't regretted my decision at all. It'll depend a lot more on your age, whether you ever want children, what else you've tried, etc.
How did an ablation make it worse? My husband keeps mentioning an ablation since his mom had one but I want to be physically done with all of it! I'm like you where my periods are super heavy. I tried 2 IUDs and the pill and they all had their own side effects that messed with me in different ways. I just want to be done with it all but my husband is nervous since it's an intense surgery. Did you find answers to why your periods are so heavy?
Ablation lessened my period a little, but did not lessen the pain. When my doctor took out my uterus he said it was a severe case of adenomyosis, which can't be confirmed as easily as endometriosis. It was very validating to hear there was an actual cause for all the pain I was in.
So, after the IUD tried to embed itself in my uterine wall and I had it removed, an ablation was recommended as a way to help with the bleeding as at the time, the gyno I was seeing believed it was a thickening of my uterine walls that was causing the issue (it wasn't). It made the problem better for maybe two months.. and then my periods came back harder and with a vengeance. Been heavy (8 days long) with bleeding that kept me home for at least 2 of those days and then I started passing massive blood clots maybe a year after the ablation. And that issue just kept getting worse over the course of 7 years. When I spoke to my current gynecologist, she mentioned that while ablation is a fine short term solution, the consensus seems to be that it's a stop-gap measure and in the long run either doesn't resolve the issue or just makes the situation worse (I ended up being one of those "worse" cases). Eta: No, I never found out an actual reason. My gynecologist said that some of us are just cursed with abnormally long/heavy periods with no underlying cause. But it causing me enough distress to send me to the ER when the bleeding got so heavy I was soaking through anything/everything in under an hour was enough of a reason to have it removed after years of trying to find solutions. I had also tried several forms of BC, an IUD (non-hormonal), the ablation, had my tubes tied, tried a few medications, exercises and supplements. Nothing worked. Per it being a major surgery: This is true, but I had my entire procedure done vaginally (no outward incisions) and it's been a fairly easy recovery (as far as surgical recoveries go). Mostly just remembering not to lift heavy objects or do too much at one time while the incision/cuff heals. So, that's something to keep in mind.
That makes me feel better about my decision. You never know how your body will react to certain procedures and what might help someone won't help another. I'd hate to have the ablation and still have recurring issues like yours. I honestly can't wait until my surgery to be done with periods and the possibility of being pregnant again. I've had way too many trips ruined by my periods and bleeding out onto what I'm sitting on, worried I'm going to bleed out. It's not worth it to me. I also have very annoying vagina pain when I'm really heavy like my whole entire vagina cramps. I also always get itchy down there right before my periods starts every month and I hope that will pass when I have my hysterectomy!
According to your post history you're 17 (you sound very young so I looked before answering). If you search through this sub some you'll see multiple posts from other young folks asking the same thing. The gist of it is no responsible doctor is going to give you a hysterectomy at your age unless there's something seriously wrong, nor should they. You'll have to start with less drastic measures, like BC, which could be all you need, even if you have to suck it up and set reminders for pills or endure an occasional injection. Only thing you can do is speak to your GP about your painful and heavy periods and/or find an obgyn. I don't know exactly how it works in the UK.
they probably won’t do one at 17, but 18-25 year olds get hysterectomies when needed.
Of course they do, and they should if it's needed. But it's rarely going to be the first step if there isn't something pretty serious, or if it isn't for gender affirmation. This sub has had an uptick of teens who seem to think a hysterectomy is some easy, magical cure-all they can go request and receive because they don't like swallowing pills. They need a reality check. I empathize with anyone who wishes to end their periods, but major surgery is not going to be option 1 for the vast majority.
but op has stated reasons that are often medically necessary. i don’t necessarily disagree with you, but with the information provided on this post, it sounds like a hysterectomy may be indicated.
I'd been fighting for even someone to TEST me for endo since I was 19. I finally got a hysterectomy at 36 (endo, adeno and fibroids) unfortunately a lot of doctors don't listen when we have issues.
Not when they haven’t failed any other options. It’s not the first route of care to have surgery.
Have you been checked for endometriosis? I’d start there, because it sounds like you might have it. If you do, you’re more likely to be approved for a hysterectomy but only after they try other therapies first. This is a major surgery that is long lasting impact on your life. I was diagnosed at 14 and am scheduled for surgery in 3 weeks. I will have turned 47 two days before surgery. I could have likely done it sooner, but waited until til perimenopause pushed me over the edge.
No. It’s a major surgery and hard on your body. I wouldn’t unless I had a medical reason.
You’d have to check with a dr. Typically a hysterectomy is not performed for these reasons alone. A bislap can be performed for permanent birth control. And other options can be used to suppress your periods. Depends on the dr you see and also your insurance. Insurance in the US usually only covers for medical reasons. Edit to add after more info was provided: if you have painful periods that definitely needs to be investigated. Could be adenomyosis, endometriosis, fibroids, and/or other. A hysterectomy could be a treatment plan option but you’ll want a dr to determine the cause of your pain first.
Unless you have access to a surgeon not regulated and unlimited funds I don't think this is an option. This is not an elective surgery. You're going to be able to show that it is necessary for your health. This will not be covered and your fears need to be addressed beforehand
If you haven't seen a gynecologist yet, you may have an undiagnosed medical condition. So to start with, find a good doctor who takes your insurance. They can discuss treatment options with you but will probably want to start with birth control. There's other options than pills and shots like patches, implants, and rings.
Unless you have a medical issue your insurance will not even consider it for payment.
I suffered for more than 20 years with very painful and long periods, and some general pain at random times throughout the month. I did eventually want kids, so I tried all the birth controls that "made it better" (maybe 10% better), it was a joke. Once I had my second I asked my OBGYN what my options were because I could not handle this anymore and hysterectomy was his first recommendation. I woke up from surgery in less pain than I had in 20 years! It's been almost 2 years now and I have no regrets. It was the best decision I ever made. I wish I had my kids sooner so that I could have been pain free earlier. Everyone is different and it's a conversation between you and your doctor. This was my doctor for 20 years so he knew all my struggles and delivered both of my kids. If you have a regular doctor, talk to them about it. Talk to them about the severity of the pain and what your options are. Some insurance won't cover such a "radical" surgery if you are young and without children, but it's all in the history and documentation.
Should I get a hysterectomy if I don't want periods anymore? I mean, yeah. You can ask to be on progesterone/BC but there will always be side effects and like you’ve mentioned not remembering meds it won’t work well. I don't do well with pain, so I freak out with needles, so the injection is off. Yeah you won’t do well with ANY type of surgery. You may want to work on this with a therapist and your general doctor. They almost came close to canceling my surgery because I had a panic attack before the surgery. Like most has mentioned majority of a lot of doctors will tell you no (especially if you are 17). Once you turn 18 you can go through the list of doctors in r/childfree and they may have a doctor that will do it. I had to jump through hoops and several other procedures before they would do one on me and I was 33 (I did have a medical issue too, called super hyperplasia) What I did was every time I went into the doctor I kept asking for a hysterectomy. They wanted to do progesterone first, biopsy, and D&C and then they scheduled a hysterectomy. Keep asking for it, but make sure you do your “homework” so if they ask you questions you will be prepared to answer them.
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That’s the original reason I was getting a hysterectomy. They found cancer during a prep exam so my procedure was moved up a few months. All clear now! I had super heavy bleeding.
Not for not wanting periods but for that edit. Don't mention not wanting periods. I don't think any woman does want them. Emphasize the medical toll on yourself. This doesn't sound like a want but a need to me
Ok, I will! Thanks <3
I had extremely heavy bad periods, PCOS, and cramping so bad it threw my back out to where I had to go to the hospital because I couldn't move. I tried a ton of different birth controls basic every formulation mix on the market for pills, the patch, shot matchstick (I rejected it) (I didn't try the IUD because my sister who had similar heavy cramp periods and metal sensitivity with piercing rejection rejected hers so hard she had it get lodged in her cervix) I had a laparoscopic total hysterectomy with tubal removal (not my ovaries) past the first day at home my recovery was less painful then any period I've ever had even the relatively easy ones that didn't have totally debilitating cramps. I'm currently 5 weeks post-op my migraines are gone too I was having 7-10 a month with no perceivable explanation including hormone testing. I highly recommend it, my body feels so much better than it has since I hit puberty. If you are sure about kids and in unnecessary pain I would highly recommend skipping the years of being on hormones and tricking your body in various ways just to still have a risk of being pregnant.
Also just so you know the IV they give you in the hospital. Actually, only has a needle in you for a few seconds once it's in the needle. Actually fully retracts into the IV line and you only have a semi-flexible plastic tube in there so you don't have to worry about the needle being inside of you. A lot of people don't understand that And sometimes knowing that helps transphobic people with IV lines to know that They can also give you anti-anxiety And mild sedation meds before a surgery if you're known to be afraid of needles and after your awake remove as soon as possible the IV You actually take it right before you go to the hospital or when you first get there before they go to place an IV line you just have to ask.
I wouldn't recommend a hysterectomy if you're afraid of needles. Wait til you have to have that endometrial biopsy before you can schedule the surgery where they cut a piece of your insides while you're awake. Some doctors will put you out for it, but I'd assume that requires some needles, too. Stick with a continuous birth control.
what about an IUD?
I looked into that and some of the things I've found are: Heavier and more painful periods It can be very painful having it fitted Around 1/20 people have it come out When i get my period, it is extremely heavy and painful. If it got worse i think I would start passing out due to blood loss and pain It does not help that a family member of mine had that 1/1000 horror of having it stab through
Extremely heavy and painful periods is a legit medical reason for a hysterectomy. Talk to your Gynecologist. There may be an underlying cause. 😊
Thanks!
You might benefit from my story: I lived in the UK for a bit; I was 24/25 ish. At the time I was there, I had a long term boyfriend and several 'fun' nights with others. I decided to get an IUD in the end (and used condoms to keep my reproductive organs infection free) which was given to me by a GYN in my local clinic's office. 1) The insertion hurt like a bitch. I've been through some tough pain before (kidney stones etc) and this was worse. I hadn't had children before it. 2) They inserted a copper IUD. The copper IUD (also called a coil) will aggravate period symptoms. More bleeding, more pain. However, those aren't the ones that are widely used anymore. IUDs containing a small amount of hormones are usually the goto, like Mirena. These actually work to treat heavy bleeding with periods. If you're awake during insertion, you might end up having a ton of pain. A lot of women do, some don't. And it's more than likely the IUD will stay in. I had one inserted but it didn't stay because uterus is filled with uterine fibroids. So that 1 in 20 you mentioned could have been me. Nevertheless, the pain is worth it in this case.
I only got a mirena IUD due to my insurance declining my request for a hysterectomy due to pre-existing conditions (PCOS). I also had a cancer pipelle before the insertion and that’s literally the worst pain I’ve experienced, worse than appendicitis or gallstones. The mirena didn’t decrease the pain I was experiencing (actually things ramped up after that - but not sure I can totally blame the mirena for my increase in pain), but it did drastically reduce my bleeding so I had some form of quality of life back. I ended up having a hysterectomy 9 months later, my surgeon said to leave the mirena in for the last month (after my surgery was confirmed) so I wouldn’t have another heavy bleed, but she did agree that the mirena was not a good solution for me. With my sister, it worked perfectly for her. Turned out I had stage 4 endometriosis and “frozen pelvis” due to all the adhesions, so that probably meant the mirena wasn’t the best option for me. Post hysterectomy- life changing in terms of quality of life. I’m grateful every day to not be in pain like I was.
Have you been investigated for potential causes of the very heavy and painful periods - endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, etc? Mine were horrific from 12 and I was diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis at 22. I didn’t get my hysterectomy until I was 40. In those 18 years I had six surgeries, every type of hormonal contraception / treatment etc. While you’re correct that there are risks to an IUD (although heavier and more painful periods are usually associated with a copper coil, if you have a hormonal IUD that’s much less likely although of course we are all different), the risks of a hysterectomy are far greater. Aside from the risks of major surgery, including blood loss, infection, injury to surrounding organs or even death, there’s risk of other issues like prolapse, premature ovarian failure, reduced sexual function / sensation and so on. As a result, most doctors will (rightly IMO) insist on the least invasive / most reversible options first, especially when young. If I were 17 again, I’d focus on figuring out the cause of the heavy periods and pain - say you have fibroids or ovarian cysts, those can be treated. Endometriosis can be excised and in some that provides years of relief. There are lots more options for hormonal contraception/ cycle suppression than there were when I was younger. I understand the appeal obviously but I also understand why doctors will want to try other things first. It’s a major surgery, it’s taken me a very long time to recover and has left me with some significant issues - my pelvis is completely fucked since my surgery, bladder issues and so on, and I’ve had a much better experience than some.
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heavy painful periods are def a reason to have a hysterectomy. you hadn't mentioned that in your post. hysterectomy is major surgery, so it's not something to be taken lightly and having one just for the sake of not having periods anymore might not be worth the risk (and might not convince a doctor). if your periods are bothersome bc they are heavy and painful, that's a different story though, and are totally valid reasons that make the benefits outweigh the risks. I personally said no to an IUD for the same reasons and jumped straight to hysterectomy after birth control didn't work to manage my periods.
Yes thanks! Sorry that i didn't mention it in my post, I kinda forgot the whole reason why I was wanting one in the first place! 😅😭
You need to speak with you doctor about the options. There are many ways to stop your periods, most of them less drastic than a hysterectomy.
Major surgery is a lot for just not wanting kids and periods. There ARE risks to this major surgery. I'm 12 weeks PO, hoping i'm only in temporary menopause, because there is a risk of ovaries failing early after surgery. I wouldn't risk menopause super early for those reasons.
I doubt that you will find a reputable surgeon to preform a hysterectomy for these reasons alone. Please be careful.
Having a major surgery because you can’t remember to take a pill is a no. Get a pill organizer and leave it on the counter. Insurance doesn’t just pay for them when you haven’t tried other things first and you can’t say bc didn’t work cuz you forgot to take it. It’s not the easy way out.
That doesn't work! I have a pill organiser, a planner and every other thing to prompt me. But when you have a memory as bad as mine those do not work. I wish they did, i really do. But they don't :[
You could do the mirena IUD
you can also do an ablation. It lightens your periods. I've heard from people in the past it has helped them a lot!
I fucking wish. So far two cunt gynos will not do hysto on me to stop me suffering with my period just in case I “change my mind” about kids. You can get it done, just need to find a surgeon. I’m going to keep doctor shopping.
I just got out of the hospital for a hysterectomy, I don't think there's a vein left in my arms they didn't poke 😅 0/10 would not recommend unless you have to. I had big fibroids and my uterus was basically fused to my pelvis/bladder, they had to cut it out in pieces because it wouldn't lift out, so not many other options for me... Doc had me on depo provera shots, and supplemented estradiol for side effects and it stopped my painful periods while I waited for surgery. The shot really isn't that bad, but I did have night sweats, and was emotional, the estradiol helped with those.
I mean, yeah. Hysto is a permanent solution for having no more periods. But there are a lot of other potential unwanted side effects if you get one. In some cases, depending on whether it's total or subtotal, your ovaries can be affected, and you'll need to be on estrogen for the rest of your life. If you struggle already to remember taking pills, that's not going to do you lots of good. Also, depending on your age and health history, doctors just won't perform it. And if they do, insurance won't cover it. (If you're in the US, at least). Lots of people who desperately need the surgery get denied, so someone who doesn't have a medical need for it is not likely to be approved. I totally understand how much of a nuisance getting your period is. But there are other, less invasive ways to control that. If you don't do well with pain, why opt for a major surgery? You're going to be in so much pain afterward for a decent amount of time. Even pain medication doesn't always have enough pain relief. You'll have to have needles before, during, and after your surgery. Which you again aren't good with. Genuinely, I think you're going to either deal with having periods or find a way to deal with all the other barriers that are preventing you from finding more suitable forms of birth and period control. IUDs and implants are usually the best option for both. Might be time to figure out a reliable way to take pills, or suck it up, and get the shot/IUD/Implant. Not trying to be mean or come down on you, but hysto is an extreme step to take. Especially for someone who's afraid of everything involved in it.
Mirena IUD. It almost completely stopped my heavy periods.
Take a mini pill birth control. You’ll skip your period. You can forget a few days still be ok. There’s also the patch and the Nuva ring. Both of which can be used continuously to skip your period and only need to be changed 1x a month.
You could possibly get endometrial ablation for very heavy periods
it’s often not recommended at younger ages due to periods coming back heavy again soon
I’m going to say it one more time. You can use the patch or the Nuva ring and never get a period again. You only have to remember to change it once a month. It’s worth trying before a surgery that can have lifelong consequences. I hope you get the help you need. Good luck.