Every year, over 600,000 hysterectomies are performed, and only a small percentage of these are actually medically necessary. The average age of undergoing hysterectomy is less than 40 years of age and some women are even less than 30 years of age!
Today we are going to talk about hysterectomy and answer some popular questions about when to get a hysterectomy and what happens if you have a hysterectomy at a young age, and more, including:
- Why do women choose to have their uterus removed?
- How old do you have to be to get a hysterectomy?
- Can I get a hysterectomy at 20 or 25?
- Do younger women regret having a hysterectomy?
Why Do Women Choose Elective Hysterectomy?
Women who choose to have elective hysterectomies primarily make this choice because they are dealing with such debilitating symptoms that their quality of life is suffering and they just want to find relief. In many instances, they are given no other options, so they feel like it is their only choice.
A joint research study looked at data that spanned more than four decades and reported that at least 60% of the hysterectomies performed were done for benign conditions and that in most of these cases, there were no notations that any alternative forms of treatment were attempted before the surgery. In 18% of these cases, there were no clear indicators of why the patient was even having the hysterectomy.
Are There Age Requirements To Undergo A Hysterectomy?
Typically, patients must be at least 18 years old to be considered for hysterectomy surgery. Still, there is not a specific ceiling as far as age requirements and it would depend on the patient’s current state of health and circumstances. This means if you are wondering, “Can I get a hysterectomy at 25?” the answer is yes, as you meet the minimum age requirement.
Do Women Regret Having A Hysterectomy, And Does It Depend On Their Age?
If you research regret after hysterectomy, you will find that a large number of women have responded, saying they did not regret having the surgery because their quality of life improved and they were happy that they were no longer suffering painful symptoms or very heavy bleeding. This is interesting because their ability to accurately answer the question (whether they regretted having the surgery) would depend on whether they knew that a non-surgical option may have effectively provided them with the same level of relief. In one 2020 study, responses showed an overall regret level of about 8% of the 422 women surveyed.
The results of a more recent study were published in Obstetrics & Gynecology that was designed to understand the level of regret younger women had after they had undergone a hysterectomy for underlying issues that were non-cancerous. The 241 participants were divided into two groups that included women 30 years old and younger and women between the ages of 31 and 49. The study focused on two areas, including:
- Regret about the surgery itself;
- Regret over the loss of fertility.
The study revealed that around 33% of women who were 30 years old or younger reported significantly higher levels of regret of having the surgery compared to about 9% in the older group. 39% of the younger group regretted losing their fertility, but only 13% of the older group responded similarly.
What Contributed To These Higher Regret Levels?
Besides removing the possibility of having a baby in the future, there were other reasons that women cited for their regret. Some women continued to have ongoing pelvic pain and did not experience the relief from the symptoms they were expecting. Women who have endometriosis often do not find complete relief from their symptoms by having a hysterectomy, and their quality of life can actually become worse.
Also, women who experienced complications after their surgery were more likely to express regret. Regardless of their fertility history or other treatments, younger women still showed higher rates of both surgical and fertility regret compared to the older age group.
It is important to note that this study looked at data from patients who were about 7 years post-hysterectomy. Many of these women may begin to experience regrets due to health issues they did not expect that were directly related to their hysterectomy.
Health-Related Reasons Women May Begin To Regret Hysterectomy Surgery
Having your uterus removed at a young age can cause many short-term challenges and long-term health issues.
Undergoing a hysterectomy, especially with the removal of the ovaries at a young age can bring a range of health challenges tied to the sudden loss of estrogen. Estrogen is crucial not only for reproductive health but also for protecting the body against several age-related issues.
First, when the uterus and ovaries are both removed, the abrupt reduction in estrogen can trigger and bring on the symptoms of menopause with a vengeance like hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. When women go through menopause naturally, these uncomfortable symptoms usually manifest gradually over several years. It is important to understand that leaving the ovaries in place during a hysterectomy does not guarantee they will function properly and continue to produce an adequate amount of estrogen.
Additionally, studies show that women who lose their uterus at a younger age also have an elevated risk of:
- Sexual dysfunction: loss of libido, loss of orgasm;
- Cognitive issues, including memory problems, dementia, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease;
- Loss of bone density and higher risk for osteoporosis;
- Stroke;
- Cardiovascular conditions: Research from the Mayo Clinic shows that a hysterectomy (with or without removing the ovaries) is linked to a 33% higher chance of developing coronary heart disease. What is even scarier is that for women who are under 35 years of age who undergo a hysterectomy, these risks are increased by a staggering 250%;
Psychological Reasons Women May Regret Hysterectomy Surgery
For many women, especially those who are younger and in their childbearing years, the emotional impact of losing reproductive organs can be devastating. Many women feel grief, anxiety, and depression stemming from the loss of a future they had envisioned.
Also, having a hysterectomy lowers the vital estrogen that helps maintain your skin’s hydration, tone, and elasticity, which can cause premature signs of aging to manifest and cause her to feel self-conscious about her appearance.
A hysterectomy can also cause sexual dysfunction and negatively impact their relationships. One study reported that women experienced feeling less feminine or attractive, a reduction in sexual desire, decreased sensation, vaginal dryness, and an inability to reach orgasm, which caused them to avoid sexual relations because of a combination of pain, unfulfillment, and anxiety.
When To Get A Hysterectomy
Uterine fibroids are the most common reason why women undergo hysterectomy. Fibroids are benign tumors and do not turn into cancer. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is an outpatient, nonsurgical solution for women suffering from symptomatic uterine fibroids. It has a 90% success rate. UFE gives women the relief of symptoms they are looking for while avoiding the significant risks and long recovery associated with surgery, and they get to keep their uterus (which is so very important even in women who are not interested in fertility). Therefore, a hysterectomy should be an option of last resort for women suffering from fibroids.
Now that researchers have made the connections between hysterectomy and significant side effects, UFE should be the option for women look into that are suffering from symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Women With Regrets After Hysterectomy
Listen to this young woman talk about her regrets after undergoing a hysterectomy.
Here Are Some Other Women’s Thoughts On Hysterectomy Regret
If you do some online research, you will come across hysterectomy regret stories on social media like the following:
“It (hysterectomy) destroyed my whole life! I am in pain every day with massive discharge that requires adult diapers, lost all my sensitivity, which eliminated my sex life, and I have become severely depressed. I would have rather died than have had this surgery. It was a huge mistake, and it has ruined my life. I feel like a dead body, like a zombie.”
Another woman explained:
“I had a hysterectomy when I was 29, and I didn’t know how much it would affect me or how it would throw everything out of whack. Even though I kept one ovary, I went into deep depression with extreme mood swings. I constantly felt physically weak, and sex became painful.”
Should You Get A Hysterectomy At 25 For Fibroids?
No, regardless of your age, if you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and have not looked into uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), this is NOT the time to get a hysterectomy.
The vast majority of women suffering from fibroids never hear about UFE from their doctor. Every woman is entitled to know all of their options; not just the surgical ones. Almost every single patient who has been told that they are a surgical candidate for hysterectomy for their fibroids will be a candidate for UFE.
Therefore, you are most likely a candidate for this nonsurgical UFE procedure that will eliminate your fibroids without compromising or removing your uterus. Numerous children have been born after UFE; many of whom never thought that it would ever be possible for them. Because of what happens to women after hysterectomy, if you’re suffering from fibroids please consider reaching out to the Atlanta Fibroid Center and set up an appointment to learn more about UFE and how we can help you save your uterus, preserve your fertility, and improve your quality of life.
Listen to this Atlanta Fibroid Center patient talk about how Dr. Lipman and the UFE procedure changed her life.
Patient: "Don't Get a Hysterectomy!"
Read women's regrets of having a hysterectomy at a young age. Learn about the emotional and physical impact, and ways to avoid fibroid hysterectomy.
