No Date: Surgery request placed!

Hello everyone!

I’ve finally decided to move forward and asked my provider to submit the surgery request to my insurance. I recently turned 30 so I am very nervous that the request will be denied due to my younger age.

I’ve had very heavy periods ever since I started menstruating at 13. I’ve always filled super plus tampons within 2 to 3 hours and always have to wear a pad as well. I have bled onto my sheets so many times when using only overnight pads. I was started on birth control pills at 19 due to my low iron levels in hopes that continuous birth control would cut down the amount of blood loss. Instead I had breakthrough bleeding every time that I tried to skip a period and was forced to have one anyways. I put up with this for years and switched to the NuvaRing at 23. This worked slightly better but I still wasn’t thrilled but I kept with it for a couple of years too. I ended up talking to some friends that had the nexplanon and decided I might as well try it. The first year was amazing! I only had one period and it was so freeing. I wasn’t tied to figuring out how I was going to change my tampon when it was full. Year 2 of the nexplanon led to more periods and heavy bleeding. I never know when I would have a period and some cycles were 20 days and others were 60. Each consisted of heavy bleeding. I tried having the nexplanon replaced in hopes that my bleeding would cease again but I had no such luck.

I started working in an OBGYN clinic as a receptionist and so many patients swore by the Mirena IUD. I found a provider and had a consult. We decided it was worth trying the Mirena. The insertion had minimal pain but I had such bad cramps that weekend. The cramps radiated into my groin. Things got less crampy after a couple weeks. I’ve had the Mirena for 10 months. Unfortunately, for the last 4 months, I’ve been having almost constant crampy pelvic pain. Some days it isn’t bad but other days it radiates into my groin and I can’t do much. My periods are significantly lighter but I’m still having a monthly period and it can last up to a week. Between the fact that I am still bleeding and am having pain most of the time, I’m not keeping my IUD for much longer.

My provider ordered a ultrasound to confirm that the Mirena was positioned correctly and to make sure that I didn’t have any cysts or fibroids that could be causing my issues. My ultrasound was completely normal. Mirena was perfectly located and not a single cyst or fibroid present. My provider said I could remove the Mirena and go back to one of the hormonal options that I’ve tried previously or if I wanted to permanently stop the bleeding, a hysterectomy was an option but an extreme one.

I started to cry and explained that I had been thinking about a hysterectomy for awhile now. I’m somebody that has not ever had sexual activity nor do I have any interest in ever being sexually active. I do not want children and my uterus is more of a waste and causing me anemia issues and pain. I asked if my other option was to be on hormones until I hit menopause, which would likely be another 20 years. My provider explained that was likely to be the case since an endometrial ablation would like only be successful for a short amount of time.

I’ve spent the last month really thinking about if moving forward and having a hysterectomy is what I really want to do. I’ve been reading a lot of posts and articles across the internet and I truly think my life will be better. My doctor stated that pelvic pain could still be an issue post hysterectomy but I definitely would not have the bleeding issues anymore. I questioned about which type of approach and he said total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy. He said he would absolutely leave my ovaries due to the hormonal benefits and my lack of cystic issues.

I guess after all of that, I’m wondering if anyone else has dealt with similar bleeding and challenges using hormonal options. Anyone go through having a hysterectomy at such a young age? Did you have trouble having insurance authorize your surgery? I’m nervous that they are going to deny the request which then what are my options? I’ve tried most of the hormonal options except the Depo shot because I have severe depression and the Depo is more likely to cause mood issues.

For those that have read this, thank you.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Jh9 Hello everyone! I’ve finally decided to move forward and asked my provider to submit the surgery request to my insurance. I recently turned 30 so I am very nervous that the request will be denied due to my younger age. I’ve had very heavy periods ever since I started menstruating at 13. I’ve always filled super plus tampons within 2 to 3 hours and always have to wear a pad as well. I have bled onto my sheets so many times when using only overnight pads. I was started on birth control pills at 19 due to my low iron levels in hopes that continuous birth control would cut down the amount of blood loss. Instead I had breakthrough bleeding every time that I tried to skip a period and was forced to have one anyways. I put up with this for years and switched to the NuvaRing at 23. This worked slightly better but I still wasn’t thrilled but I kept with it for a couple of years too. I ended up talking to some friends that had the nexplanon and decided I might as well try it. The first year was amazing! I only had one period and it was so freeing. I wasn’t tied to figuring out how I was going to change my tampon when it was full. Year 2 of the nexplanon led to more periods and heavy bleeding. I never know when I would have a period and some cycles were 20 days and others were 60. Each consisted of heavy bleeding. I tried having the nexplanon replaced in hopes that my bleeding would cease again but I had no such luck. I started working in an OBGYN clinic as a receptionist and so many patients swore by the Mirena IUD. I found a provider and had a consult. We decided it was worth trying the Mirena. The insertion had minimal pain but I had such bad cramps that weekend. The cramps radiated into my groin. Things got less crampy after a couple weeks. I’ve had the Mirena for 10 months. Unfortunately, for the last 4 months, I’ve been having almost constant crampy pelvic pain. Some days it isn’t bad but other days it radiates into my groin and I can’t do much. My periods are significantly lighter but I’m still having a monthly period and it can last up to a week. Between the fact that I am still bleeding and am having pain most of the time, I’m not keeping my IUD for much longer. My provider ordered a ultrasound to confirm that the Mirena was positioned correctly and to make sure that I didn’t have any cysts or fibroids that could be causing my issues. My ultrasound was completely normal. Mirena was perfectly located and not a single cyst or fibroid present. My provider said I could remove the Mirena and go back to one of the hormonal options that I’ve tried previously or if I wanted to permanently stop the bleeding, a hysterectomy was an option but an extreme one. I started to cry and explained that I had been thinking about a hysterectomy for awhile now. I’m somebody that has not ever had sexual activity nor do I have any interest in ever being sexually active. I do not want children and my uterus is more of a waste and causing me anemia issues and pain. I asked if my other option was to be on hormones until I hit menopause, which would likely be another 20 years. My provider explained that was likely to be the case since an endometrial ablation would like only be successful for a short amount of time. I’ve spent the last month really thinking about if moving forward and having a hysterectomy is what I really want to do. I’ve been reading a lot of posts and articles across the internet and I truly think my life will be better. My doctor stated that pelvic pain could still be an issue post hysterectomy but I definitely would not have the bleeding issues anymore. I questioned about which type of approach and he said total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy. He said he would absolutely leave my ovaries due to the hormonal benefits and my lack of cystic issues. I guess after all of that, I’m wondering if anyone else has dealt with similar bleeding and challenges using hormonal options. Anyone go through having a hysterectomy at such a young age? Did you have trouble having insurance authorize your surgery? I’m nervous that they are going to deny the request which then what are my options? I’ve tried most of the hormonal options except the Depo shot because I have severe depression and the Depo is more likely to cause mood issues. For those that have read this, thank you.

I guess I don't understand having an IUD if you're not sexually active. Was it to try to regulate periods?

I tried to follow your story but not a lot seemed abnormal. I started my period at 13, in my 20s was prescribed iron pills. Yes, tampons with pads, changing tampons frequently and 8 day periods was simply par for the course for my body. Did that until I went into menopause.

Only age 30, many things can change in my opinion. I married at 32, children after that.I don't know that I'd make such a drastic choice then.

For the depression and stress this is causing, would be good to have a OBGYN recommended therapist to talk to. Depression should be addressed, but perhaps as a separate issue.

Hope you find the right path.

I’m 31, married, no children and I just had my hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. I had a similar story as yours with excessive bleeding and mood issues with birth control. I’d always had excessive bleeding and irregular periods- I could skip a month or two at a time then bleed for 10+ days the next. In my early 20’s I started birth control, and while it helped, I couldn’t stand how it made me feel mentally. My mood swings were off the charts so I discontinued use. Then I started having severe pelvic pain by my mid 20’s, and they found that I had 2 decent sized cysts and suspected endometriosis. Endo, cysts, and fibroids all run in my family so I wasn’t surprised. But as I was military at the time getting set to transfer, I never had the chance for the surgery so I just dealt with it. Over the years I brought my case up to numerous OBGYN’s, but none ever took me seriously and they only pushed birth control options. When I was to the point that I was bleeding through 4 super plus tampons over the course of 5 hours multiple days in a row, and pelvic pain to the point that I couldn’t walk, I decided I’d had enough. My cousin referred me to a specialist and given my history and family history, as well as my current/ ongoing symptoms he recommended a hysterectomy with excision of endo. I knew I’d never want children and neither did my husband, so I agreed that it would be best. I didn’t think my insurance would approve it either given my age and lack of children but they did.
Overall I guess it comes down to your insurance provider and their policies. Some are stricter than others with their requirements regarding testing and alternate options that have been tried and failed. Have you looked into that for your policy? I totally understand how stressful it can be to try to find relief and get the treatment you need, but find only obstacles. In the event it may be declined, has your doctor provided any other promising options? Best of luck to you!