My entire life I have had bad periods. For the last 22 years of my life, for 7–10 days (if you include the duration of my period and the severe symptoms that come before) each month, I have been miserable. No exaggeration. My symptoms each month included most or all of the following: severe fatigue, extremely painful cramping, mood swings, blood clotting, excessive blood loss, low iron, nausea, vomiting, pelvic pain, bloating, diarrhea, lightheadedness, depressive episodes, headaches, backaches, anxiety, and night sweats.
Day‑to‑day life is difficult during those days, and yet the expectation, and the necessity to keep a career, is to continue life as if nothing is wrong. You get really good at it. The blanket kept at the office to help apply additional heat and pressure to your abdomen while suffering at work. Always keeping large amounts of ibuprofen on hand just in case. Never leaving the house without backup hygiene products. A heating pad that works overtime. And my personal favorite; perfecting the answer of “I am fine, just a little tired” when people ask if you’re okay when you clearly look like hell.
I saw doctors. I saw gynecologists. Everyone always assured me everything was “normal” and that I “just had bad periods.” A few doctors tried to help. One doctor convinced me that if I got an IUD, it would cure everything. Spoiler it didn’t. It actually caused more issues and, for a while, made my cycle come twice a month. I was told to manage my pain by cycling ibuprofen and Tylenol every two hours. Which is a lot of painkillers for one person to take every month.
So I just lived with it. Because “it’s normal.” “All part of being a woman.”
Fast forward to 2025. There were several events over the last year that led my new OBGYN, Dr. Hopper in Watertown, to refer me to the Women’s Health Clinic in Sioux Falls to see Dr. Hansen and his team. I had little hope, but with encouragement from my loving husband, we went.
It was quickly discovered that I have uterine fibroids. Fibroids are very common, non‑cancerous muscular tumors that grow in or on the wall of the uterus and are often overlooked by healthcare professionals due to how common they are. Seventy to eighty percent of women have them in some capacity, but most women don’t even know. I was assured that even though they are common, they are not something to just write off, especially considering that 30% of women with them have severe symptoms aligning with mine.
After a few months of bloodwork, several tests including an HSG and an MRI, and several video calls with Dr. Hansen, it was determined that I had several fibroids not only growing outside my uterus but also within my uterine cavity. From what they could determine, they were more than likely growing in both size and number. It seemed my best bet at a better life and future was surgery. Two options:
1. A hysterectomy—completely removing the uterus
2. A myomectomy—cutting out any visible fibroids to create a “clean slate” uterus
Being only 31, Alex and I discussed the pros and cons of both but decided to take the risk and go for the myomectomy.
On February 20th, we drove down to Sioux Falls, checked in, and I got prepped for surgery. Due to where the uterus is located in the body, they disclosed to me that it wouldn’t be totally clear what exactly would need to be done until they were able to operate. I knew I was in great hands, and they estimated my surgery would take about four hours. Before I knew it, I was kissing my hubby and climbing onto the cold operating table.
Almost six hours later, I awoke in recovery and gained two new nurse friends whose names I couldn’t remember if you paid me . I was admitted to the hospital overnight to ensure everything went smoothly.
During surgery, Dr. Hansen found that I needed “a lot more work” than originally expected. Using a robot, he removed endometriosis, a few polyps, scar tissue, and 15 fibroids from my uterus—ranging in size from a centimeter all the way up to the size of a large orange (over 10 cm). The “big one” was growing directly out of my uterine wall into the cavity of my uterus. For reference, that one fibroid was as big as my entire uterus.
I spent a long night and part of the next day in the hospital. I had some minor “issues,” and while they offered another night, I was given the option to go home if I felt I could handle it. Of course, I chose the “go home” option.
In hindsight, I probably should have stayed, but it was good to be home and soaking up love from the animals and my wonderful husband.
Recovery has been exactly what you’d expect from a surgery where they cut into you, rearrange your insides to get to an organ, slice it open, and remove a bunch of stuff . The first five days were brutal. Moving was painful. Day 6 was a little better, and days 7–10 have been manageable but I still struggle being up and moving for more than about an hour before needing to sit back down. My body is screaming for rest, and I’ve napped more in the last week than I have in the last ten years.
I will be able to return to work on March 9th for half days in the office and half days working from home until March 23rd. I am beyond grateful for my supportive colleagues and my boss for allowing flexibility in my job, which has allowed my recovery to be shortened from the standard 4–6 weeks off work to this schedule.
I have to take a moment to appreciate the Sanford Women’s Health Center and Surgical Center in Sioux Falls. I have never in my life received or witnessed such fantastic healthcare. Every person we met over the last few months, from the nurses all the way to the financial advisors, has been top‑tier. As a self‑proclaimed doctor‑going hater, I cannot say enough wonderful things about my experience especially the care before, during, and after surgery from Dr. Hansen. That man has plenty of patients yet continued to personally check in on me throughout my recovery. He is the most empathetic doctor I’ve ever met.
My husband gets three gold medals, not only for taking such good care of me, but also for scolding me every time I think I’m “fine” and for calling me out when I downplay what my body has been through. My two besties get two gold medals for flying and driving into Watertown to spend time with me and help around the house for a few days reminding me to still celebrate my birthday.
I want to be clear that I know I am extremely lucky. My condition is not cancerous. It is not life‑threatening. I will continue to live a healthy life. But I am not going to be quiet about the need for greater advocacy and understanding in women’s health. I am lucky I found Dr. Hopper, who referred me to Dr. Hansen.
I did the math…the average is 2,244 days. That is 6.15 years. Six out of my 32 years of life spent in a constant state of misery, only to be told by doctor after doctor that “it’s just part of being a woman.” And I know I am not alone.
Every time I researched fibroids or asked why they happen, the answer was always, “no one really knows.” Something that affects 70–80% of women has minimal research, often goes undetected, and has very little research focused on prevention.
If you read this and have similar symptoms, my advice to you is this: Ask questions. Listen to your body. Surround yourself with proper support. Don’t back down. And don’t downplay it.
We deserve better.
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