"Lack of respect and options given to women in gynaecological treatment"

I had been waiting for a year and a half for an appointment at Lincoln hospital for a gynaecology appointment to deal with my large fibroid and the pain it was causing me.

When I eventually got my appointment and sat with the consultant, their opening line was - The only option I can offer is a hysterectomy. I am in my 40s and not ready to be plunged into the depths of menopause yet.

Luckily, through my knowledge of the treatment of women through medicine and given that I’d had a year and a half to research my condition, I knew there were other options. So I said told the consultant - No, I don’t want a hysterectomy. What about an ablation to deal with my heavy periods.

It was only when I had mentioned this option that the consultant said -  Oh, yes - we could do that. If I hadn’t have researched and known that procedure, I would have been given one option, which was major life-affecting surgery (hysterectomy).

I’m appalled that women are treated as one size fits all and unless you are confident, well read and advocate for your own treatment, you are given no other option.

When I eventually had my surgery, another consultant informed me that there were other options available too and they apologised for my original consultant not communicating any of those with me.

Unfortunately it doesn’t surprise me at all. I was ready to advocate for myself, which I have done in the past and for other members of my family when medical treatment has fallen short of its standards, but I shudder to think of how many other women, probably in their 40s, have been forced into a hysterectomy because they were given no other options.