u/Puzzled-Sentence-881

Can we talk about the mental toll of fibroids?

This might just be my experience, but because fibroids are common, or perhaps because they’re thankfully not considered life-threatening, I find that people can be quite dismissive of the seriousness of fibroids and the havoc they can wreak on women’s bodies.

For me, whenever fibroids came up in conversation, someone usually had a friend, aunt or cousin who had them, and the conversation was often pretty flippant. To be clear, I was never looking for sympathy, but I realized that over time I stopped sharing the effects fibroids were having on me, especially the impact on my mental health, because it just didn’t seem like a big deal to a lot of people.

And I want to be clear that I’m not someone who wants fibroids to define me or become my whole identity. I’ve continued living my life through all of this. But I also think there’s value in acknowledging how deeply the experience affected me rather than just brushing it off because fibroids are common.

I know fibroids aren’t considered “serious” in the way some other illnesses are, but that doesn’t mean the experience can’t be deeply distressing or even traumatic.

I’m sure many of you can attest to some of this. For me, my body no longer felt like my own, and I felt completely out of control of what was happening to it. I questioned whether I’d be able to have children. My stomach became so enlarged that I looked pregnant. I dealt with heavy periods, constant discomfort and pain, and frustrating experiences with the healthcare system. And then, after everything, I saw (at my own request) the surgical pictures of these giant tumours that had been growing inside my body. Traumatic!!!

I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on how I’m feeling, processing everything that happened and figuring out how to move forward after the last two years of my life. And I really want to encourage the ladies in this group to pay attention to your mental health while navigating your own fibroid journey.

You don’t have to be dealing with something life-threatening for what you’re going through to take a toll on you. Give yourself permission to acknowledge that, for a lot of us, this is hard. It can be scary, frustrating, exhausting and sad. And if you need support, please seek it.

I’m so grateful for this group. I spent countless nights searching for information, reassurance and, honestly, just some camaraderie from women who understood what I was going through.

Sometimes knowing you’re not the only one going through it can make all the difference.

I’ll start by saying the most important thing: please follow your doctor’s instructions and listen to your body. Everyone’s recovery is different, so please don’t use my timeline as a guide for your own recovery. I’m sharing this simply as one person’s experience, because I remember how much I needed to hear something hopeful when I was preparing for surgery.

One of the hardest parts of preparing for my open myomectomy was the thought of losing something I had worked really hard to build.

Before surgery, I was very active. I had been lifting heavy, pushing sleds, rowing, etc. for almost two years, and I absolutely loved it. The gym had become such a big part of my life. It was where I challenged myself, got stronger, moved my body, and honestly just felt really good. I had also built a little community there that I genuinely loved being part of.

So when I found out I would need an open myomectomy, I was devastated at the thought of having to stop all of that. I knew I would have to take time off, but I was scared I would lose all the strength and progress I had worked so hard for and have to start completely from scratch. Going from feeling strong and capable in my body (minus the fibroids) to suddenly having to be incredibly careful with it was an emotional adjustment. I knew intellectually that recovery takes time, but that didn’t make it any easier.

But I’m now 7 weeks post-op and I’m back in the gym!

And honestly, my body has surprised me. I’m not quite lifting what I was before surgery, but I’m honestly not as far off as I expected to be. Most importantly, my body feels so happy to be moving and challenging itself again.

During my recovery, I went for walks and started very gently. Around week 3, I started doing some very light core-focused exercises at home. I found Lauren Fitter on YouTube, who has some great C-section recovery workouts (the incision/recovery can be somewhat comparable), and I really liked how gentle and progressive they were.

Around week 4, I also started doing 10–20 minutes of light, weight-free workouts with Monika Fit on YouTube. Again, I went slowly, paid attention to how my body felt, and stopped when something didn’t feel right. Eventually, I felt ready to start going back to the gym, and I’m so happy I did.

If you’re someone who loves being active and you’re gearing up for surgery or currently recovering, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Your body went through something major, and it deserves patience and care, but it’s also incredibly resilient.

Give yourself time. You don’t have to rush your recovery or prove anything. The gym will still be there, and when your body is ready, you’ll find your way back to the things you love.

Does anyone else feel anxious about what to eat after a myomectomy because you’re worried the fibroids will grow back?

I’ve decided to try following more of an anti-inflammatory diet (to help with my hormones), but I’m not sure if that’s enough. The thought of going through surgery and recovery, and having them come back feels devastating.

For anyone who’s had a myomectomy, how did you manage those fears? Did you make any lifestyle changes that gave you peace of mind, or did your doctor recommend anything to help reduce the risk of recurrence?

I’m in my late 30s and have lived alone for 15 years. Never married, no kids. Lately, I’ve had the desire to get a pet. I went back and forth between a cat and a dog, and realized how much I adore dogs.

The only problem is I can’t shake the feeling that this little creature would completely change my life, and that terrifies me a bit. I work from home and tend to be a homebody, though I do enjoy travelling a couple times a year, so I know I could provide a great home for a furry friend. But making the leap still feels scary.

I’m used to doing things on my own schedule, being lazy when I want to be, and I’m also a bit of a clean freak. At the same time, I really want something to love and that loves me back.

So for those who have pets, or for those who decided against it, how did you make your decision?

Edit: I read every single response. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, advice, and practical tips. You’ve honestly given me a lot to think about, and I really appreciate the thoughtful perspectives. I especially like the idea of fostering first.

And just to reassure some commenters, I don’t take this decision lightly at all. I would never bring a pet into my home without a lot of research, planning, and a genuine desire to give it a loving, stable home.