Choosing whether or not to have children is one of life's biggest decisions and can have a huge impact on your future relationships. While some women grow up longing for large families with multiple kids, others are opposed to the idea of pregnancy and opt to have hysterectomies.
One women with no desire to have babies has had her reproductive system removed at 28 - and says it's the best decision she's ever made. Brynne Zuri Hunt, from Portland, Oregon, US, has spent the last 10 years battling an undiagnosed chronic condition which put her in a lot of pain.
As well as heavy and elongated periods, Brynne suffered severe cramps - but medical professionals still refused to put her forward for a hysterectomy.
The actress, who was determined to never have kids, came across a female OBGYN - a doctor who specialises in female reproductive health - and was finally granted permission to have the procedure.
On August 2, Brynne had a full hysterectomy with her whole reproductive system removed, except for her ovaries for hormonal purposes, and is now looking forward to a life without children and pain.
"I've never had the maternal instincts that other women in my family have," Brynne said.
"I make a great auntie, and love my nieces and nephews, and shower any adoration I have on my friends' kids as well, but motherhood has just never been for me.
"I was bought up in a very religious Mormon environment, where the stereotypical woman is there to have children and be a housewife.
"A lot of the women in my family, including my mother, had really terrible pregnancies, and I guess that was somewhat of a catalyst for me never wanting to have children.
"I have two dogs, two cats and a leopard gecko who are basically my children in animal form, they take up enough of my time and money and are extremely spoiled!
"Alongside that, I've had this undiagnosed chronic pain issue since I turned 16, and to not have to deal with that ever again is what I'm looking forward to the most after my four-week recovery period."
After advocating for years for a hysterectomy, Brynne often received a lot of back-lash from medical professionals.
She said: "It took me so long to get to this point, and I had so many medical professionals telling me that I wouldn't know if I was ever going to want to have children.
"I got all the usual comments like 'what if your partner wants children', 'you haven't met the right man yet'.
"It was incredibly infuriating and upsetting especially when there was no one to adequately diagnose what caused my extreme periods and cramping.
"Male health professionals were always extremely dismissive, especially because I had menstrual cycle issues.
"They put me on every different type of contraceptive from a range of pills, three different IUDS and the implant.
"It got to a point where I just stopped going to the doctors anymore, and kind of gave up on even asking for a hysterectomy.
"[Last] January, I got health insurance and went on a visit to my current OBGYN who is just wonderful.
"She listened to my concerns and allowed me to explain that it has never been my wish to have children.
"By the second appointment, she booked me in for the surgery. It felt like this huge weight was taken off my shoulders.
"Especially after the overturning of Roe V. Wade, having a hysterectomy has allowed me to decide and choose what to do with my body, rather than the old white men in power."
Despite their shock at Brynne having the procedure, her family and friends have been very supportive and are eager to help her through the recovery process.
"When I told my family I was going ahead with a hysterectomy, they were all pretty shocked," Brynne added.
"But since I explained my intentions, and reasons why, they've all been so supportive.
"My friends have also been there for me from the start, which is amazing, I've got friends who are pregnant going through their personal journeys and here I am going through mine of never having children.
"My parents had four children, and my sister already has two kids, so I feel like I'll never have that pressure to provide more grand kids.
"Having a hysterectomy is the best decision I have ever made, and I'm looking forward to a child-free life."
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