no more menstration

@schilds (410)
United States
February 20, 2008 12:49pm CST
I am done having kids. I had my tubes tied when my son was born. I have thought it very unfair that I cannot have more children but I still have to have a period every month ever since. Well, a friend of mine, who is a bit more forward, came right out and told her doctor(who is also my doctor) if she cant have kids she doesn't want to bleed. He told her they would tie her tubes 24 hrs after the baby is born, then at 6 weeks when she goes back in for her check up they will cauterize (burn) the inside of her uterus, so she will not bleed anymore. NO MORE PERIODS!! Why didn't he tell me he could do that!!!! So, my question is - would you do it? The why is fairly obvious, but if no, why not?
3 people like this
11 responses
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
21 Feb 08
To be honest I don't think I could or would ever have something like that done. I had my tubes tied when I had my son, not because I didn't want more children, because I really do, but because medically it is a giant health risk. I want to keep everything in good working order just in case it maybe becomes possible that I can have another child. I'm wondering why your friend just doesn't have everything taken out.. meaning have a historectomy? I mean she doesn't want kids anymore, and she doesn't want her period.. so well isn't she done with those parts lol.
@schilds (410)
• United States
21 Feb 08
She initial asked him to do a hysterectomy, but he will not do it without medical cause - so offered this as an alternative. Even with a history of cervical cancer (she only has 5% of her cervix left) he wont do it because she has had more than 2 years of clear paps. I hope things work out for you, and you are able to have the children you desire!
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Feb 08
Thanks.. and I wasn't trying to be insenstive so please don't think I was.. it's just I was like well why doesn't she just get it all pulled.. trust me though I understand that docs are sometimes backward and won't do things that we want but will do some lame half attmept just to shut us up lol. I wish your friend the best and hope everything works out for her.
@schilds (410)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I know you weren't trying to be insensitive. We both feel the same way - I am done having kids, and she is pregnant with her last - if we aren't having kids, why not? But, unfortunately the medical establishment has it's own ideas. I didn't think it would be an issue with her with her history of cancer, but even that isn't enough to convice them.
1 person likes this
@wjolene (265)
• Malaysia
21 Feb 08
no way! initially you'll stop period when u reach menopause
21 Feb 08
But that's two decades away for me! lol Did you know the average woman will use 10,000 tampons in her lifetime? You can add at least half again for towels. o.0
@schilds (410)
• United States
21 Feb 08
The period only gets rid of the cells that build up inside the uterus for the purpose of pregnancy. This procedure prevents those cells from building up.
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
21 Feb 08
Hello Schilds, I cannot believe that your friend's doctor offered her such an elective surgery. Would I do the same? Absolutely not! I certainly don't enjoy menses, but it is a normal, natural function of the female anatomy. When we ebrace elective surgeries that interfere with our normal proceses, it can only be expected to have residual effects on the body. For example: menstruation is a function of the endocrine system, which manufactures all of the body's necessary hormones. Take menstruation out of the equasion, and whammo!, the body is subject to massive hormonal upheaval. Hormonal balance is responsible for SO MANY functions of the human body: insulin production & release, endorfins, aging (adrenals), etc... The body is like a house of cards: take one important card out and the structure may stand for a while, but will be weakened, and eventually crumble. Personally, I'll welcome menstruation as long as my body is willing. If I'm 80 & still menstruating, I'll be content, 'cause that will mean that my body is still functioning as a much younger specimen. Which, is a pretty good indicator of health in the longevity battle.
@schilds (410)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I can appreciate your reasons for not considering this procedure, because they are also the same reasons I would prefer this over being on the pill. Longterm pill use has been show to cause thyroid problems (among others). The thyroid controls a major part of your bodies hormonal balance. I would consider menstration to be a side effect of the endocrine system. It builds the material to support a child just incase one is concieved, and if there is no baby it has to go somewhere, so we menstrate. But, I am not a dr by anymeans. It is definately something I will discuss with my dr. when I see him.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Feb 08
I don't know. I always thought your period was your body's way of cleansing itsself of the unwanted stuff. If you're still ovulating then what happens to the shedding each month if you don't bleed? It seems like you would be harboring a lot of germs. I guess research is a must. I would be worried if the procedure is safe and approved and whether or not it would effect any other part of my body or mind. Sorry but I have never heard of this being done. If you didn't want to go that route, they have a pill that only allows you to have 3 or 4 periods a year.
@schilds (410)
• United States
22 Feb 08
tying of tubes doesn't stop ovulation - just keeps the egg from reaching the uterus, and sperm from reaching the egg.
@shymurl (2765)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I had my tubes cut and tied after my last one. I was having bleeding problems and they went in and did that to my uterus. They say its suppose to last for a couple of years. For three months I didn't have a period and then I was bleeding again. Well they did it again and yet again it happened. So I had the uterus removed. Way better. But today I found out that I have two cysts on my ovaries. So now I don't know what i'm going to do. Getting the inside of the uterus burned may be good for some, but it is not permanent. Be sure to do your research on it and then ask all the necessary questions to your doctor.
@shymurl (2765)
• United States
21 Feb 08
One more thing. Its not that painful, it just feels like a really big cramp so to speak. Your good to go the next day. Now the hysterectomy thats a different story.
@schilds (410)
• United States
21 Feb 08
I will definately ask many questions of the dr. Thank you for your input, and I hope everything works out for you.
• United States
20 Feb 08
From what I've read on this subject, it may not end your periods. It can lighten them dramatically, if it doesn't stop them all together. Either way, you'd be having a surgical procedure, for the sole purpose of eliminating your periods and it may not do that. I hate having my period, but I'm not sure I'd go this routine, unless I had a medical reason to do so.
@schilds (410)
• United States
20 Feb 08
The dr said 95% of his patients have had 0 flow. The rest have been very light. I understand what your saying about surgical procedures - but then again I had a c-section, which is major surgery - because some idiot at our only local hospital made it policy. And I would rather undergo a minor procedure than take the pill for the next 20 years
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
20 Feb 08
OUCH!! That doesn't sound like a reasonable thing to go through to end your period. Ick! I'm like you, and had my tubes tied after my last pregnancy. And like you, I despise getting my period every month, because I don't see the point in it. I am VERY much looking forward to menopause. lol. Have you talked to your doctor about what you can do? I know that being on the pill can reduce periods immensely... is that an option for you?
@schilds (410)
• United States
20 Feb 08
I have an appointment next month to talk to the dr. about it. His assistant thinks I am a good candidate for something - whether it is this or a partial hysterectomy, or if the insurance will reject those options and make me take the pill - remains to be seen. The pill does help, but the side effects are bad enough I would rather suffer a week a month. I started taking the pill when I was 14 to help control the cramping a bleeding and stayed on it for over 10 years. When I quit taking it I lost 40 lbs, and realized I was a total b**** on the pill. It had been such a gradual change over the years I didn't realize how bad it had become. That is why I had my tubes tied - so I didn't have to take the pill ever again. I also worry about the effects of taking the pill for the next 20 years. This procedure is supposed to be very quick - 10 min or so - and most people are back to their normal routine by the next day. I'm really thinking a day or 2 of discomfort to stop 240 weeks of discomfort may be worth it.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Feb 08
It does sounds unfair to have a period even when you won't be having anymore kids, I however don't think I'd go through with having my uterus burned. I believe that when you have your period, it's natures way of clensing your insides. It irrigates your whole reproductive system and cleans out some waste through out that part of your body. Besides, I am a believer of nature's gift. I don't like to destroy something that God gave me. Though I feel strongly about this, I do hope your procedure goes well. Good luck.
• United States
21 Feb 08
Wow, that's something. I feel your pain, I get extreme menstrual cramps to the point where I was throwing up. Anyway, I've been on birth control and it's been better but every once in a while I'll get a bad month. Anyway, yeah extreme solution for a pain problem. I don't know if I could go through it. But I think there are reasons for it.
• United States
20 Feb 08
Due to a medicine I'm on (which will hopefully be out of my system as of two weeks from now...) I have been bleeding since the first weekend in October of 07. Since then, I have had 2 weeks (cumulatively, not consecutively) that I have not been bleeding, though I didn't get to enjoy it because I was not really aware/didn't trust my body to continue not bleeding (for good reason, because it would start up that same night.) So... Yes. I'd be up for it. That might just be me being bitter... Even if that is the case, I feel I have a right to be. 4 months of menstruation? I'm entitled to something. haha.
@schilds (410)
• United States
20 Feb 08
After 4 straight months - I wouldn't hesitate!
• United States
21 Feb 08
I personally have no problems with getting my period. So after im done having kids I think i'll just wait for it do naturally stop on its own, cause that does sound a little painful. My step mom had that done after she had my sister, but for some reason she still got her period. The doctors told her that sometimes it doesn't always work. But considering how we can have our butt fat injected into our lips, it probably is foolproof. So I say good luck and you're my hero cause that sounds alittele uncomfortable.