TAH: Hysterectomy here I come

After 10 years of struggling with endometriosis and lots of pain I am finally getting a hysterectomy, but because I am only 23 I am having to go to Mexico to get it done. I got fed up with doctors telling me I am too young and I can just wait it out, but I can not and should not have to wait. I have tried at least seven different kind of birth controls. Depo Lupron. A laparoscopy and really strong prescription pain pills, but nothing worked.

I have dealt with this since the very beginning and I am just so relieved it's all finally coming to an end.

My strongest advice is it really pays to be your own advocate. If you know something is wrong with your body than fight to get it fixed, because no matter how old you are you deserve relief.

You really are very young. I'm sure you've educated yourself and i pray God gives you peace about your decision and a complete recovery. When will you have your procedure?

Thank you 05Knights for the prayers. I am going to get my eggs frozen so fertility isn't completely lost. I have not decided on a date not sure if it would be best to wait until after the holiday season to have it. Any advice about the recovery would be much appreciated.

I am sorry you are dealing with this at such a young age. Since I had my own hysterectomy at the age of 25, I can understand much of what you are going through.

I would caution you to reconsider your current plan. A surgery out of the country comes with some unique risks and off the top of my head I could not even recommend a surgeon in Mexico who would be known world wide as an endometriosis specialist. If you have complications, what will your contingency plan be? Will a doctor locally care for you if you develop complications later? I have traveled for surgery, though not out of the country, so I know this can be a unique experience that requires much more planning and expense. I also had complications following my hysterectomy so I am very aware of what all that can entail.

Are you aware that a hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis? The key is excision of the implants, not the removal of our organs. It doesn't matter in which country you have surgery, if the surgeon does not remove every speck of existing endometriosis then it doesn't matter if you have a uterus and/or ovaries. The remaining the endometriosis can continue to cause issues, especially since endometriosis can create its own supply of estrogen.

Rather than travel out of the country, I would suggest you locate an endometriosis specialist in the United States and send your records for review. Then, s/he could help you come up with a plan that may be best for you. Excision surgery with a specialist could offer you the pain relief you are looking for whether or not a hysterectomy is necessary.

If you have not had a chance to do so, you may want to check out our Endoemtriosis articles. There is one with tips for finding a doctor, and one lists the names of some doctors who have helped others in the past. You could also check out our Endometriosis Support forum.

in there!

Please don't go to mexico its not very safe there right now.