Thoughts on having a hysterectomy in your 20s since you have no intentionof having children.?

Answer 1

Yup, that's me. I'm only 17, but I already know that I want no kids, and a hysterectomy is probably the best way of avoiding it. If I change my mind later, I'll adopt. It's better for everyone.

Answer 2

I'm NOT going to tell you that you might change your mind. I hate it when people tell me that. It's insulting.

I feel the very same way about you and have since my teen years. I'm now 36 and haven't changed MY mind.

The reason I would advise you not to have a hysterectomy are many:

- the uterus and ovaries produce hormones that you require to have comfortable, pleasurable sex
- removing your reproductive organs throws you instantly into menopause (and we all know how awful that can be)
- women who are in their 50s and 60s who have hysterectomies have much higher risks of cancers. Since you're only 20, you would increase your incidence dramatically as you would be without these organs for much longer
- you'd have a hell of a time trying to convince a doctor to perform the surgery. My mother was 24 and already had 3 kids. When the last was born she BEGGED to have her tubes tied but the doctor resisted because she was "too young". She convinced him in the end but she was married and had 3 kids and had a tough time.
- the hormones in your reproductive organs contribute to many systems in your body, especially your brain, heart, bones, hair, teeth, skin, pituitary gland, etc. A hysterectomy affects them all. This can line you up for osteoporosis, depression/anxiety, heart problems, hair loss, unwanted hair growth, thyroid issues and a host of other problems.

Therefore, because your long-term health would be in jeopardy, I would not advise having a hysterectomy until ABSOLUTELY necessary, if at all.

Personally, I have raging endometriosis which started when I was TWELVE! So many tears, so many days in bed, such hopelessness. I understand the pain of being a woman. I've often joked to my friends that if they were out shopping and found a "home hysterectomy kit" to pick me up one. After my mother's hysterectomy, I don't make those jokes any longer. It's not a simple or easy procedure. Removing vital organs has deep, permanent effects on your entire body.

Tubal ligation (having your tubes tied) is not something a doctor would glady do for a 20 year old, either. Although there is a reverse procedure, it isn't always successful.

My solution to the endometriosis/don't want kids problem was Depo Provera. I no longer have menses, pain or worry about unplanned pregnancy. Some people cannot tolerate the drug and have serious side-effects. Considering the pain and misery I was in, I figured it couldn't get much worse. In fact, it's given me my life back.

So please explore all the options to remain child-free without butchering your body. There are tons of things you can do! Just talk to your doctor.

Answer 3

I think that it's great that we live in a time that women can decide to not have children and that is exactly what they do. Not only do women make this decision, but no one looks down on them for it. In saying that, a hysterectomy can be very dangerous if it is not medically necessary. I would not go that far. You can get your tubes tied and that is reversible if you change your mind later in life (being in your 20s is really young and you may not change your mind but you very well may). Also, you may want to consider an IUD if you would rather not go through surgery at all. An IUD is implanted in your uterus and is effective for up to 5 years. I also think that any doctor who would do a hysterectomy without there being a medical need for it should lose his/her license. I would do the research on the forms of birth control there are available to you, including getting your tubes tied.

As a side note, I hope that if you do change your mind later in life about children that you do so because you truly want children and not because someone has pressured you into it.

Answer 4

Now you are 20 right? Well are you sure that you don't want to have any kids? I mean yeah 20 is a young age to think about kids and I can see why you want to go that way, but what happens when you meet someone very special and you want to settle down and start a family and you cant? But if you truly want to get the hysterectomy then that's your choice, but i would recommend the tube tying first..

I truly hope you pick the right one and good luck to you:)

Answer 5

I know too many people who were adament that they NEVER wanted kids. But decided in thier late 30's to start a family. Two of these woman are now on their third child.

My moto is "never say never" why take that decision away for life? you can choose not to have kids but just leave that option open. Once it's gone it's gone, and all the hormonal problems can be horrendous.

THe female hormones actually protect us from certain cancers and from heart disease. And not everyone is happy with HRT.

I think it's far to bigger decision to make in your twenties.

There are so many things that can be done for problem periods if that's an issue. The marina coil can stop them all together AND is a very effective form of contraception. There really is no need to place your health at risk just because you don't want kids right now.

Answer 6

Get your tubes tied. There are all kinds of terrible things that go with a hysterectomy, even a partial.

You will have to take hormones for the rest of your life if you get a radical hysterectomy, and if you get a partial, it's rather common for your ovaries to stop working within a couple of decades, making you have to take hormones, anyways.

If you have to do something to prevent pregnancy, get a tubaligation.

Answer 7

If you find it medically necessary to have the hysterectomy, then do so. If you decide later you want children, you can always adopt. My husband and I have adopted 4 times since my hysterectomy... we changed our minds about kids a few years after my procedure, but biology isn't everything. We traveled all over the world with one backpack and our credit cards... now it's like Cleopatra's Barge when we travel. Go with what you need to in order to preserve your health.

Answer 8

Most doctors will not do this. Unless you have a specific problem that calls for a Hysterectomy, they will not do an intrusive procedure such as this. Most older women who have this done are having related problems that call for this procedure. There are many related problems such as hormonal issues that this can cause.

Answer 9

Do you have any idea how disruptive this would be to a women's body, not to mention an extremely dangerous & risky operation. It is not ever performed as a birth control method, it is undertaken when a woman's health is seriously compromised and there is no other option but to remove the uterus to prevent further health problems, ie cancer.

HTH : )

Answer 10

its a dangerous percedure, and I believe people should only risk their lives for medical not personal reasons.
as long as you keep your ovaries your hormones will be fine, but if you get the full surgery you'll be very early menopause and on estrogen pills.

It may be better to just get your tubes tied. its not 100%, but its safer. there is still the anestia risk and the fact that your body is being altered. but it isn't as invasive