At what point is a hysterectomy allowed by the Church?

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Convert_in_99

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I know the Catholic Church is extremely pro life and pro fertility. At what point does the Church allow a hysterectomy? Must there be life threatening disease or can it be done for the severe pain associated with Endometreosis, even though it’s not life threatening. After 22 years of severe all cycle long pain and symptoms and a devistating miscarriage (my chances of miscarriage are very high with this disease) I’m ready to be freed of this heavy cross. Please don’t bash me for asking, the pain is intense. I’m not trying to be closed to life, I just want freedom from pain and symptoms.
 
Convert_in_99 said:
I know the Catholic Church is extremely pro life and pro fertility. At what point does the Church allow a hysterectomy? Must there be life threatening disease or can it be done for the severe pain associated with Endometreosis, even though it’s not life threatening. After 22 years of severe all cycle long pain and symptoms and a devistating miscarriage (my chances of miscarriage are very high with this disease) I’m ready to be freed of this heavy cross. Please don’t bash me for asking, the pain is intense. I’m not trying to be closed to life, I just want freedom from pain and symptoms.
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Do you have a Catholic physician?
 
My mom had a hysterectomy. She had fibroid tumors. They were not cancerous, but caused her to have very heavy periods.

As Catholics, we aren’t to be “sterilized”. Hysterectomy to treat a diseased uterus is permitted.

I’m sorry for your suffering.:hug1:
 
Convert_in_99 said:
I know the Catholic Church is extremely pro life and pro fertility. At what point does the Church allow a hysterectomy? Must there be life threatening disease or can it be done for the severe pain associated with Endometreosis, even though it’s not life threatening. After 22 years of severe all cycle long pain and symptoms and a devistating miscarriage (my chances of miscarriage are very high with this disease) I’m ready to be freed of this heavy cross. Please don’t bash me for asking, the pain is intense. I’m not trying to be closed to life, I just want freedom from pain and symptoms.
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Your doctor would be a good source for understanding your options for treating this disease- we are not allowed to give medical advice on this board. That being said, a hysterectomy is considered theraputic treatment for severe endometriosis and is morally acceptable. The idea is that the surgery is there to correct a serious medical problem and sterility is merely an unintended side effect so to speak and not the primary reason for the procedure.
 
AnnArbor said:
More importantly, what does your doctor say?
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Even more importantly, what does God say? Have you prayed about this? I have endometriosis and was thisclose to getting a hysterectomy (in my late twenties, good lord), prayed about it and knew that it was not God’s will for me to have this done, though everyone else was pushing for it. Even though it caused me much suffering (and not just physically), I’m glad I followed His will. Wasn’t even a Catholic at the time. My advice? Take it to The Boss.
 
Thanks everyone. I’m definitely not seeking medical advice. I have a Napro doctor who wants me to have another surgery, but my last one was just two years ago, I don’t want a surgery ever two years for the rest of my reproductive life. Everone says how wonderful Napro is, but when you suffer from the mother of all girly problems there isn’t much more they can do than a regular GYN. I’m 33 and my mom was in her late fifties when she went through menopause! That’s like 13 more surgeries before it’s over! :eek:

I could easily get a regular GYN to give me a hysterectomy. But I still have a Catholic conscience. We are not trying to conceive anymore and are using NFP to avoid. The risk of another miscarriage is just too high with my condition and my emotional health couldn’t sndure the death of another child. So children aren’t in our future, it would be so easy, so freeing. I don’t even take the Birth Control Pills that can help my symptoms some, because it is frowned upon by the Church, even with medical reasons.
 
Convert_in_99 said:
Thanks everyone. I’m definitely not seeking medical advice. I have a Napro doctor who wants me to have another surgery, but my last one was just two years ago, I don’t want a surgery ever two years for the rest of my reproductive life. Everone says how wonderful Napro is, but when you suffer from the mother of all girly problems there isn’t much more they can do than a regular GYN. I’m 33 and my mom was in her late fifties when she went through menopause! That’s like 13 more surgeries before it’s over! :eek:

I could easily get a regular GYN to give me a hysterectomy. But I still have a Catholic conscience. We are not trying to conceive anymore and are using NFP to avoid. The risk of another miscarriage is just too high with my condition and my emotional health couldn’t sndure the death of another child. So children aren’t in our future, it would be so easy, so freeing. I don’t even take the Birth Control Pills that can help my symptoms some, because it is frowned upon by the Church, even with medical reasons.
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Eh, that last thing is false.

It’s not wrong for Catholics to use birth control pills to control gynecological issues (heavy bleeding, pain, etc).

If you have concerns, I think you should talk to the National Catholic Bioethics Center people.
 
Convert_in_99 said:
Thanks everyone. I’m definitely not seeking medical advice. I have a Napro doctor who wants me to have another surgery, but my last one was just two years ago, I don’t want a surgery ever two years for the rest of my reproductive life. Everone says how wonderful Napro is, but when you suffer from the mother of all girly problems there isn’t much more they can do than a regular GYN. I’m 33 and my mom was in her late fifties when she went through menopause! That’s like 13 more surgeries before it’s over! :eek:

I could easily get a regular GYN to give me a hysterectomy. But I still have a Catholic conscience. We are not trying to conceive anymore and are using NFP to avoid. The risk of another miscarriage is just too high with my condition and my emotional health couldn’t sndure the death of another child. So children aren’t in our future, it would be so easy, so freeing. I don’t even take the Birth Control Pills that can help my symptoms some, because it is frowned upon by the Church, even with medical reasons.
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The Church condemns neither the use of birth control pills for medical purposes nor necessary surgeries that even render one infertile, such as a hysterectomy. Follow your doctor’s advice.
 
Xantippe said:
Eh, that last thing is false.

It’s not wrong for Catholics to use birth control pills to control gynecological issues (heavy bleeding, pain, etc).

If you have concerns, I think you should talk to the National Catholic Bioethics Center people.
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I know that. But many, many Catholics will give you a hard time for it. When it comes up in conversation I usually get “have you tried Napro?” Um yeah that didn’t work either. :rolleyes: Napro is great and helps lots of women and infertile couples, but even Napro can’t cure Endometreosis. It’s too powerful.
 
Convert_in_99 said:
I know the Catholic Church is extremely pro life and pro fertility. At what point does the Church allow a hysterectomy? Must there be life threatening disease or can it be done for the severe pain associated with Endometreosis, even though it’s not life threatening. After 22 years of severe all cycle long pain and symptoms and a devistating miscarriage (my chances of miscarriage are very high with this disease) I’m ready to be freed of this heavy cross. Please don’t bash me for asking, the pain is intense. I’m not trying to be closed to life, I just want freedom from pain and symptoms.
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To say the Church is ‘extremely’ pro fertility is a bit far fetched given the question of your health.

I suppose hysterectomies used to be performed as a means of birth control, but given the many other methods this can be accomplished today, I doubt this would be the way to do it.

Your doctor is doing this hysterectomy to protect you from further medical problems down the road, one of those being cancer. I would not talk to a priest about this, I’d talk to your doctor.

Get better.
 
First of all, I have never believed that God wants people to suffer, and I doubt very much that 13 more surgeries will make you a better Catholic.
Convert_in_99 said:
I know that. But many, many Catholics will give you a hard time for it. When it comes up in conversation I usually get “have you tried Napro?” Um yeah that didn’t work either. :rolleyes: Napro is great and helps lots of women and infertile couples, but even Napro can’t cure Endometreosis. It’s too powerful.
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Second of all, what business is it of theirs? It’s no business of theirs.
 
on_the_hill said:
Second of all, what business is it of theirs? It’s no business of theirs.
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Yes.

These people are getting way too much information from the OP.

It’s not that the “Church frowns on it”–it’s that people that don’t know their religion and like minding other people’s business frown on it. A big difference.

You have two reasonable choices–a hysterectomy or BCP and they are both morally acceptable and you know they are. Figure out which one is more suitable for your situation with your doctor.
 
porthos11 said:
The Church condemns neither the use of birth control pills for medical purposes nor necessary surgeries that even render one infertile, such as a hysterectomy. Follow your doctor’s advice.
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You have done everything possible it seems to avoid a hysterectomy and even pills which would not have been against Catholic teaching to help treat you.

The above is correct. Have NO guilt about treating a medical condition with surgery.

Mary
 
For those who are unfamiliar with the problem, there are two quick and easy ways to find out.

One is the Hyster Sisters website, which includes a page for men (“Mr. Hyster Sister”) and alternative treatments when possible.

The other is the Tim Taylor (a.k.a. Tim Allen) definition:
“Your mom’s garbage disposal is stuck in the ON position. Fortunately she doesn’t need a garbage disposal.”
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That’s for fibroids.

It’s asking a lot to have her wait 10-20 years until menopause i.e., the electric company cuts the power for non-payment. After all, the malfunctioning appliance could start a fire if it’s running for that much time.

To extend the metaphor, endometriosis is the garbage disposal spewing up and splashing the walls of the kitchen. The waste begins to slime up and eat through the paint and into the plaster or drywall. Also, it attracts insects (it spreads disease). Even if you scrub it clean today, it will just happen again the next time the disposal is turned on. It’s broken.

The woman in St. Mark 5:25-34 waited for 12 years for a miracle. Sending up a prayer that what you believe and what you need are a match … because you should be able to get one and no worries, I think.
 
Convert_in_99 said:
I know that. But many, many Catholics will give you a hard time for it. When it comes up in conversation
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How exactly does this personal situation “come up” in conversation.

Don’t talk about this with people anymore, it’s not their business!
 
Convert_in_99 said:
I know that. But many, many Catholics will give you a hard time for it. When it comes up in conversation I usually get “have you tried Napro?” Um yeah that didn’t work either. :rolleyes: Napro is great and helps lots of women and infertile couples, but even Napro can’t cure Endometreosis. It’s too powerful.
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When it comes up in conversation? :confused:

Why?

How strange.

My wife takes hormonal medication to treat endo and PCOS and we do not discuss that with anyone (expect her doctor…and you good people here, anonymously).

I can’t give medical advice, but I can say that in my wife’s case her treatment has been a great blessing and quite successul to now. She may still need a hysterectomy at some point, but that is a major operation with serious complications and delaying it for as long as possible (and hopefully obviating it altogether) is a possitive outcome for now.
 
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