Finding the Positives about Hysterectomy
If your doctor has recommended a hysterectomy, it may be difficult to come to terms with the surgery. The procedure may come as a surprise, especially if you were planning to have more children. Many women report feelings of depression. You may feel out of control in your own body, grieving the loss of future pregnancies or feeling less feminine and less of a woman.
Yet, some women rejoice in the opportunity to have the procedure. Whatever emotions you feel, it’s normal and more common than you might think to be happy or sad about a hysterectomy procedure. Here are a few reasons why a hysterectomy can be worth celebrating.
You’ll save money
Women save an estimated $1,200 a year from buying pads, tampons and replacement underwear after they were stained by menstrual blood. Take that money saved and treat yourself to a vacation.
No more cleaning blood out of the bed sheets or underwear
Get a better night’s sleep and wear white pants. You’ll never toss and turn, paranoid about leaking on your bed sheets. No outfit is off limits once a month anymore when you no longer menstruate.
No need to plan ahead or pack tampons and pads
Have you ever left the house for the day but forgot to pack your tampons and pads? Rush trips to the drug store to overpay for a small package of pads will no longer be a necessary detour.
No more planning vacations around your period
Your dreams of a tropical getaway are quickly obliterated when you remember that you’ll be expecting your period on the week of your vacation. From now on, you’ll be able to lay on the beach in a swimsuit, sans cramping and misery.
Easier medical paperwork
This may seem trivial but not having to pull out your calendar to report your last period to your doctor makes life easier. Simply write N/A or “not applicable” on your medical paperwork.
Bloating and other PMS symptoms disappear
No need to buy Midol or loose fitting clothing. Bloating, cramps, mood swings and mess will all disappear after your hysterectomy. If there’s a section of your closet for dressing when you feel a bloated mess, donate them. Take your clutch out on date night because you won’t need extra room for packing tampons. Mark the other small changes in your life that can come from the positives of having a hysterectomy.
A hysterectomy leaves you more time to pursue your hobbies, spend time with family and stop being on a constant countdown to your next week of misery. Remember: You are no less of a woman simply because you no longer have one particular organ in your body. If you are struggling with the idea of having a hysterectomy, join HysterSisters to chat with other women and receive advice for your hysterectomy procedure.
Content provided by Dr. Lynn Kowalski of Nevada Surgery and Cancer Care. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, NVSCC treats gynecologic cancers including Ovarian, Cervical, Endometrial, Vulvar and Vaginal. NVSCC specializes in Da Vinci robot-assisted surgery, treating fibroids, endometriosis and other complex gynecologic conditions with a minimally invasive approach.
