After enduring years of debilitating symptoms, a 36-year-old woman from the UK, Sheena Murray-Green, has taken the significant step of undergoing a hysterectomy to reclaim her quality of life. For Murray-Green, the decision was fuelled by the persistent issues caused by a large fibroid, which weighed approximately four pounds and resulted in heavy bleeding that severely disrupted her daily activities.
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Murray-Green, who works as a medical assistant and is also a content creator, describes the challenges she faced before her surgery. Her experience involved managing excessive menstrual bleeding to the extent of needing double protection: a pad and period-proof underwear. This relentless condition often led her to seek refuge in bathroom stalls, where she would have to manage large clots, and at times, she would wake up in the night to discover her clothes stained with blood.
Diagnosed with a fibroid about six years prior, Murray-Green noted that her symptoms became increasingly severe after the birth of her son. Alongside heavy bleeding, she developed anemia that persisted despite undergoing iron infusions and taking supplements. This condition left her struggling with brain fog, extreme fatigue, and rendered routine tasks challenging.

In an attempt to avoid a more permanent solution, Murray-Green had resorted to birth control and underwent a procedure aimed at shrinking the fibroid in early 2023. However, despite these efforts, her symptoms continued to worsen. The bleeding issue began dictating various aspects of her life, from work commitments to everyday errands and her evening preparations.
Eventually, Murray-Green recognised that a hysterectomy appeared to be her best option. After consulting with her doctor about the potential benefits and risks—ranging from the possibilities of infection and blood clots to injury of surrounding organs—she weighed these against the definitive consequence of losing the ability to conceive another child. Ultimately, the year of distress and disrupted life led her to conclude that the risk of surgery was worth the potential for significant relief and improved quality of life.
Murray-Green underwent what is known as an exploratory laparotomy with an abdominal supracervical partial hysterectomy, a surgical procedure that involved the removal of her uterus while preserving her cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This choice, as explained by her doctor, would mean that she would not be thrust into menopause immediately, given that her ovaries would continue to produce hormones.
During her recovery, a poignant realisation came to light for Murray-Green; she would no longer experience menstrual cycles. This moment spurred an emotional reflection, which she later shared on TikTok, revealing the bittersweet nature of her newfound freedom. While she embraced the end of her days filled with worry over unexpected bleeding, she also mourned the loss of her ability to bear more children—a larger aspect of her identity that she had not fully prepared to relinquish.
Now free from the burdensome symptoms that had plagued her for years, Murray-Green appreciates the newfound liberation in her daily life. Activities that once required careful planning around her cycle no longer pose the same obstacles. However, both her physical and emotional recovery from surgery has proven to be more challenging than expected.
Murray-Green has shared insights on the complexities of healing, highlighting that it encompasses more than just physical recovery. She states, “Healing isn’t just about my body — it’s also about grieving what I lost while being grateful for the freedom and new chapter I’ve been given.”
With her experience fresh in mind, Murray-Green urges other women contemplating a hysterectomy, especially those in their 30s, to do their due diligence. She advocates for extensive discussions with medical professionals regarding the procedure’s specifics, including details on what parts of the reproductive system will be removed or retained, as well as potential impacts on fertility and hormonal balance.
Murray-Green also encourages seeking second opinions and taking ample time to fully understand all available options before arriving at such a significant decision. Her message aims to shed light on the multifaceted implications of having a hysterectomy at a young age, particularly for women who might be grappling with the thought of expanding their families in the future.
