I am a 45-year-old Black woman. I learned in early 2025 I was going through perimenopause. As I experienced what was my new norm of mood changes, anxiety, migraines, and once again heavier periods, I found vitamins to help with some of my perimenopause symptoms, but not all. I decided to make an appointment with a gynecologist.

I made an appointment with the first available GYN since I hadn’t seen my primary GYN in about seven years. (Note: I have seen a GYN over the past seven years, just not my primary one.) My first appointment was by video, and I explained my experience with perimenopause and brought up a hysterectomy. She said that a hysterectomy was major surgery and it wouldn’t solve my problems. She wanted to break down each symptom individually to find a solution. I also mentioned previously being anemic. The conversation seemed satisfactory, and the doctor ordered blood work.

I got the blood work done, and the results were not in yet, but I decided to contact the GYN whom I was working with because I was on my period and my migraines were bad. In my message, I inquired if an ultrasound could be scheduled because I was concerned my fibroids were growing back because of the migraines. I received a quick response that fibroids do not cause headaches and I can make an appointment with my GYN to have them schedule an ultrasound.

I was surprised by the response because she was the GYN I made the appointment with. In our meeting, we were going to break down each symptom to find a solution. So, I responded to the message that I did not agree with her. I stated her response does not line up with my research and other medical professionals. I explained how fibroids lead to heavier periods, which can lead to headaches.

Shortly afterwards, the blood results came in, and the doctor said I was not anemic. She never responded to my previous message nor mentioned next steps. As I read her test results, I was confused because I know I didn’t make this up.

During this time, I began to believe I didn’t need a hysterectomy and maybe I was doing it because people I knew had one. Despite believing this, I decided to make an appointment with a GYN who I worked with before and after my uterine artery embolization (UAE) procedure a couple of years ago.

The second opinion: Finding validation

Our first appointment was via video, and she asked what the purpose of the appointment was. I explained my experience with perimenopause, and I admit I spent unnecessary time venting about the previous GYN. Eventually, the GYN redirected the conversation and asked me what I wanted to do. We decided on the ultrasound to be sure the fibroids were not regrowing.

I went to my ultrasound appointment and had a follow-up call with the GYN when the results came in. Based on the lab results from the ultrasound, the fibroids had not grown back since my UAE. However, there were still numerous fibroids and an enlarged uterus. The fibroids had pushed my intrauterine device (IUD) low, and one of the fibroids was connected by a thin stem to my uterus.

During this call, we revisited my blood results with the last GYN. She explained that I was anemic prior to my UAE because of the heavy bleeding (I would soak pads in one to two hours), but now the bleeding is not as heavy; therefore, the recent results showed me normal. This explanation made more sense.

As well, we considered challenges of dealing with the perimenopause symptoms because of migraines; for example, some hormonal medications can cause the fibroids to grow back or were not recommended for someone with migraines. More importantly, we talked about solutions involving a hysterectomy (which would also remove the fibroids), doing nothing at all, medication, or a UAE. We were unsure how the UAE would improve the situation because they had not grown back and the fibroid stem attached to my uterus could fall off, leading to an infection. Finally, my GYN said she would send me a couple of videos about hysterectomy, perimenopause, and other things so I can decide what to do next. I still had questions over the next couple of days and sent them to my GYN, who responded to them. After speaking with the GYN, peers, and doing my own research, I decided to move forward with the hysterectomy.

The biopsy hurdle

After I shared my decision with my GYN, she advised me to make an appointment online for a biopsy. Ugh, the B-word: biopsy. I had to have a biopsy before my UAE about four years ago, and I had to make three trips to the GYN because they could not obtain enough tissue to get results. There was a fibroid in the way, so it was painful on each visit. I believe we proceeded without having the results.

I followed the directions and took the first available appointment with another GYN. On the first visit, it was painful, and I cried. I think the tears were more about the trauma of having to do this again. The GYN said she has to do it if I want a hysterectomy but said she could give me an injection to my uterus to numb the pain. So the GYN gave me the injection and made another attempt to obtain the tissue. She was able to complete the task. Soon after the results came in, there was not enough tissue to get a result, and my GYN emailed me to make another appointment.

On the second visit, with a different GYN, I shared with the GYN what happened on the previous visit and asked her to give me the numbing injection. She did as advised and gave me a little extra because she wanted to get enough tissue. She took the tissue, showed it to me, and was confident she got enough.

The reason for the biopsy is to confirm the bleeding is due to the fibroids and not cancer. If it was cancer, then the hysterectomy would spread the cancer. The results came in, and it still was not enough tissue to get a result.

My GYN, who I had been working with, called me and said she spoke with another doctor about the situation. The previous biopsies were done at the doctor’s office; they recommended having it done at the hospital. At the hospital, I would be put under sedation with a camera inserted into my vagina. This felt less painful and costly, so an appointment was made for this procedure.

The biopsy was completed with no problems. My IUD was missing, and a replacement was inserted. There was a lot of cramping and drowsiness the first day and some abdominal soreness over the next two days. Results came in, and they had enough tissue to confirm there was no cancer; we could proceed with the hysterectomy, and an appointment was made.

The surgery and the surprise

Prior to my appointment, I met in person with the surgeon on what to expect. She explained they would remove my uterus and fallopian tubes. She explained how my uterus was enlarged and they would have to cut it into smaller pieces to remove it. I should expect the surgery to be two to three hours with one to two hours of recovery.

On December 18, 2025, at 6:45 a.m., I arrived at the hospital to check in, and shortly after checking in, a nurse came to get me. After changing clothes, checking blood pressure, and taking a pregnancy test, I met with nurses, the anesthesiologist, the surgeon, and the surgeon’s resident trainee. A surprising detail: The resident for my hysterectomy was also the resident with another doctor/hospital for my biopsy the previous month.

I entered the surgery room smiling and woke up later in a room with others. I was in and out but realized it was pretty late. Later, my surgeon came and spoke with me. She explained they had issues with my uterus removal and fibroids and found a second IUD. They had to bring in a specialist, and the surgery took six hours. I finally left around 9 p.m. and my recovery began.

Validation in the numbers

A few days later, I received an email of my test results from the surgery and specifics about my uterus. My surgeon warned me my uterus was enlarged, but when I researched normal dimensions versus mine, it was mind-blowing.

• Normal uterus: ~8 x 6 x 3 cm (thickness); weight 50–100 grams.
• My uterus: 16 x 15 x 6.5 cm; weight 349 grams.

Additionally, I had numerous fibroids with some partially calcified, disrupted fibrous, or with degenerative changes.

Receiving this information led me to do more research. For instance, I had lower back pain issues, and it gets worse when I am on my period. I tied it to my age and didn’t think to bring it up to the GYN during any of my visits. Likely, the weight of my uterus and calcium on the fibroids was the reason for those pains. Furthermore, I had frequent urination but always tied it to getting older. It is unbelievable how I was walking around with a uterus that size.

After my experience with the GYN whom I initially started this journey with, I was considering living my life with pain and misery. I would count down the days until I start menopause and hope my symptoms decrease. I am proud of not giving up. I started over with a familiar GYN who helped and heard me before. Despite the hurdles, I persevere. I am now on day 15 of my recovery, and as each day goes by, I feel better. After speaking with people who had fibroid issues and proceeded with a hysterectomy, they told me I would have no regrets. After seeing those results, they were correct.

Sonya Linda Bynum is a patient advocate.