A woman has revealed how she was advised by doctors against having a  hysterectomy ‘in case she later stopped being a lesbian and wanted to have children’. 

Rachel Champ is a 27-year-old County Meath agent. She began experiencing severe periods at 10 years old and had tried numerous birth control options, medication, and surgery in an effort to relieve the pain.

But she was determined to get further assistance after her pain got more severe and became chronic.

Speaking to the The Times, Rachel said she was stunned to be denied a hysterectomy and told by a consultant: ‘I don’t want you to have any regrets in case your life circumstances change, [for example]You change your sexual orientation and leave your partner.

Rachel Champ, 27, a sales agent from County Meath, has revealed how she was advised by doctors against having a hysterectomy 'in case she later stopped being a lesbian and wanted to have children' (pictured left, with her wife Karen)

Rachel Champ, 27, a sales agent from County Meath, has revealed how she was advised by doctors against having a hysterectomy ‘in case she later stopped being a lesbian and wanted to have children’ (pictured left, with her wife Karen)

Rachel, who married wife Karen in July, visited a doctor at a Dublin hospital last month to discuss a potential treatment for her excruciating periods

Rachel married Karen in July. She visited a Dublin doctor last month to talk about a possible treatment. 

Buzzfeed interviewed Rachel about her painful periods.

“She said, “I vividly remember my first period. I was in my fetal position. 

“This has become a routine that I follow every month.  

She revealed, however that her doctors had referred to it as “bad periods” and placed her on a series of medications in an attempt to control the pain.

Rachel explained that her periods had always been excruciating and that the pain had begun when she was just 10-years-old

Rachel shared that Rachel’s periods were always painful and started when Rachel was only 10 years old. 

When she turned 25, she received her first smear. It was then that her female doctor informed her that it wasn’t common for her to experience so much pain every month.

What IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?

Endometriosis happens when cells found in the lining of a womb get displaced elsewhere in the body. 

These cells respond in the exact same manner as the ones in the womb, building up, breaking them down, and then bleeding. However, blood can’t escape the body.

You may experience symptoms such as heavy periods, fatigue and pain. There is also a greater risk for infertility and problems with the bowel or bladder.

The cause of the condition is still unknown, but it could be due to genetic factors or to chemical and/or immune system problems.

Pain relief is a key component of the treatment. It may also include hormone therapy or surgery.

Source: Endometriosis UK

Rachel was referred After seeing a gynecologist, it was revealed that there were multiple cysts in her ovaries. One of these appeared to be endometriosis.

Sending an email Twitter she wrote: ‘I’ve had two surgeries (1 with ovarian drilling), tried three different contraceptive pills, the mirena coil, and have tried every combination of painkillers. It has not helped. 

At this point, you can start to s.He was suffering from chronic and daily pain that left him unable to walk or attend work.  

She met Karen earlier this month at a Dublin hospital to talk about her options.

The consultant arrived after speaking initially with a female physician.

Rachel explained she was aware of the risks of a hysterectomy but was interested in pursuing the surgery because the pain had become so difficult to manage. 

Karen also disclosed that they were considering adopting as an avenue for having children.  

She said he informed her that he would not perform the hysterectomy, as she was “clouded” by pain.

She said, “It’s important that I mention that he has not given me any medical reason as to why I cannot have a Hysterectomy.” 

‘He told me it isn’t an option because I’m too young, the pain I’m in is clouding my judgement and my life circumstances may change. No medical reason why it’s not an option.’

She said she was left shocked, adding: ‘My sexual orientation doesn’t change. That doesn’t happen — I’m 27 and I’m married.’

During the appointment, Rachel also revealed she and Karen were pursuing adoption as a potential avenue to have children

Rachel revealed to Karen that she was considering adoption for the possibility of having children. 

Instead, she was told to take new birth controls for six months.

Rachel has been given an appointment with a London specialist later in the month. She has also complained to the hospital.    

She continues to suffer from severe pain and is unable walk or stand straight due to the intensity of her condition. 

Her story went viral after she posted it on Twitter last month. Hundreds of women responded. 

After she shared her story on Twitter last month, her posts quickly went viral, with hundreds of women quickly responding

She shared her story via Twitter last month. Her posts went viral quickly, and hundreds of women replied.

One replied, “Yep, I was told that to. They said that I had already 3 children and was still single. 

I replied that we could adopt, but it is unfair for an imaginary man to have greater control of my body than me.

One wrote, “I was denied one because of my desire to have children.” Untreated Endometriosis had left me infertile and I wanted to get my fertility checked. I went along for investigations. 

“So they won’t do it in the case that I want to become pregnant, but I cannot get pregnant. 

After the post went viral on Twitter, many women were quick to share their own stories of speaking to doctors about their period pain

Many women shared their stories about speaking with doctors after the tweet went viral. 

WHAT IS A HYSTERECTOMY?

The surgical procedure of performing a hysterectomy on a woman to get her uterus out is called a hysterectomy.

There are three types:

  • PARTIAL HYSTERECTOMY Two-thirds of your uterus must be removed 
  • TOTAL HYSTERECTOMY Removing the cervix, uterus, and cervical.
  • Radical HYSTERECTOMY It removes the cervix, uterus, and vagina.

This operation is usually performed on women between the ages 40-49.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 20,000,000 American women have undergone a hysterectomy.

The likelihood of developing a serious condition in the uterus increases as women age. A hysterectomy may be recommended by doctors for the following conditions:

  • fibroids 
  • endometriosis 
  • uterine (endometrial) cancer 
  • Chronic uterine bleeding or pain 
  • Convulsions in the uterus

If a woman shows early warning signs or has a history of one of the conditions, doctors might recommend a hysterectomy to prevent further complications.

Surgeons can also take out the fallopian tube and ovaries if they have suffered damage or are at risk.

No matter her age, the removal of reproductive organs can send a woman into menopause.

It can cause side effects such as hot flashes. This is why many women need to begin hormone therapy. They take estrogen to balance their hormones.