EastEnders star Rita Simons revealed having a total radical hysterectomy felt like an 'attack on her femininity'.
The soap actress, 45, underwent the surgery after years of suffering and said it was 'good for her mental health'.
She had debilitating and irregular periods, which worsened her OCD and anxiety, and began speaking to a consultant.
At first, Rita was given hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone – but it ended up making her feel extremely sick.
After trying her options, she was told she needed to have surgery, leaving her heartbroken at the fact she won't be able to have more children.
"The doctor said, ‘The only option is to remove everything'," she recalled the difficult conversation.
"Health comes first. I feel like it’s all been an attack on my femininity but my good mental health is good for my kids, it’s good for [her partner] Ben," she told OK! Magazine.
"They have felt my wrath when I’m premenstrual and they don’t deserve it."
Rita's womb, cervix and both ovaries were removed in the hysterectomy and she has spent the last few days recovering.
Her partner Ben Harlow, who said he's 'proud of her', has been supporting her throughout.
The soap actress was previously married to hairdresser Theo Silverston for 14 years before splitting in 2018.
They share twin daughters Jaimee and Maiya, 16.
She previously opened up about falling into a deep depression following the demise of her marriage.
Rita admitted she fell into a "depression" and "deep sadness" during the separation.
Admitting that she felt like she wasn't able to work, the actress said she had to force herself to 'get out there' because she's a "grafter".
Despite Rita's determination, while touring with the play The Cold House on Cold Hill in 2019, the star said she reached 'crisis point'.
Speaking to The Sun she said: " “There were some stairs on the set that I came on stage on, quite high at the top.
“And I thought I could just chuck myself down. I didn’t want to die. I just wanted to hurt myself enough to go to hospital and have someone look after me. That was scary.
“There was my anxiety, depression and OCD, but in the centre of all of that there was a really sad divorce happening.”
Despite the "cold, clinical" divorce, Rita says the couple are still friends and have an amicable relationship.
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