Sterilization Log #1: The Consultation
I said I was going to document my journey so here we go. For reference, 29F, PCOS, PMDD, and Hasmimotto’s.
I did research over the past 2.5 weeks prior to the appointment so I understood all possible procedures, all risks, etc.
What I learned was tubal ligation is not typically done anymore since it’s not very effective and that bilateral salpingectomy is the gold standard . The former involved banding, burning, or clipping, the latter is fully removing the tubes. And I also looked into hysterectomy which is removing uterus and oophorectomy which is removing the ovaries. These are not as typical to have done as they have more serious long term consequences.
For me, I was interested in finding alternative ways of dealing with my PMDD because without hormonal birth control and anti-depressants I end up in a vicious cycle of self-harm, suicide attempts, and rage. That would require an oophorectomy which I knew would be the hardest procedure to get as you go into early menopause and would need HRT. I’m just sick of the side effects of these medications and I’m at the point where only one specific birth control works without an allergic reaction or me going straight into self-harm rage mode. Hysterectomy would be nice for some of the PCOS symptoms but is not a cure.
Anyways, I felt prepared after reading other people’s experiences, medical journals, and any other things I could get my hands on.
My actual appointment started off bad. The nurse working with my doctor tried to talk me out of it. I was too young. I really should wait till I have kids because how could I really know I wanted this if I didn’t have kids. She told me maybe I just need to exercise if I don’t like the weight gain from the medications. I had all of my answers prepared. I don’t want biological children because I don’t want them to inherit my medical issues and I personally don’t feel like it is ethical in today’s world. I decided this years ago and don’t want kids and my age doesn’t affect it. I have medical issues that sterilization could be beneficial for depending on what direction we go with. It’s my body at the end of the day. I am literally terrified that my birth control will become unavailable or stop working and I will kill myself because I am physically allergic to or have negative mental reactions to all other types. That got her to shut up.
My doctor came in shortly after saying if I want a sterilization, I get a sterilization. She had to go through the consult and go over everything. She was impressed by how much research I did beforehand. She will not do the oophorectomy or hysterectomy right now. She will do the Bisalp and at the same time she is going to biopsy me for endometriosis because it is most likely something I have but hasn’t been officially diagnosed. After this, we are going to play around with other treatments for my PMDD and we will re-evaluate any further removals.
After we made the plans, I had to sign 3 separate consent forms, one of which is a special form for PA where I have to wait 30 days before surgery.
The surgery including intubation and recovery is only about 1.5 hours and I will go home same day. And she told me most people have surgery on Tuesday and are back at work the following Monday, if not sooner. I will be getting a call later this week with dates, and most likely it will be January 7th or 14th. And I will get told more information then.
I feel good about all of this and will update next time I have more info. Oh and my doctor was very nice and needed to know where I learned a lot of my info, and I told her there’s a Reddit and I let her know she was even included on it as a safe provider and I think that made her day!
