An elective hysterectomy – the surgical procedure in which a woman’s uterus, and sometimes her ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix are removed – can be a controversial decision for a woman.
Many women have shared stories online of doctors refusing or strongly discouraging a hysterectomy for painful conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, or heavy bleeding, arguing that a person can be too young to decide on an irreversible procedure and that they may regret it if they decide they want children.
This debate has been raging on TikTok after user ‘itsokayitsalright’ posted a video showing them in recovery from not just a hysterectomy, but a vaginectomy (the surgical removal of all or part of the vagina:
@itsokayitsalright_ #hysterectomy #surgery #trauma #sa #disability
♬ Cinderella (Instrumental) – skyemane & nimphia
“everyone who said i would regret my vaginectomy and hysterectomy. i do not. im finally not in severe pain in that area since surgery. i feel euphoric and safe from ever having another rape pregnancy. i feel so happy that i got the surgery.”
“i feel so happy that i got the surgery”
In another video, itsokayitsalright told her story and provided some context for these surgeries:
@itsokayitsalright_ ♬ original sound – m
In the video, they describe constant sexual abuse at the hands of their family and others since they were a baby until the age of 24, covering what they describe as “thousands of instances of sexual assault and abuse and molestation”. They describe becoming so used to being abused that it became “normal” to the point that “I didn’t defend myself”.
In addition, itsokayitsalright’s profile describes them as “intersex”, with multiple “medically complex” conditions.
Even so, another video indicates that they faced opposition to vaginectomy and hysterectomy, with a post-surgery video captioned “dont get the surgery, what if you want kids one day”:
@itsokayitsalright_ #womenshealth #hospital #disability #surgery #mybodymychoice
♬ mrblocku says no more fortnite – ethan
The replies are supportive, with some detailing their own experiences with this surgery and how it’s improved their lives. One says, “I had my hysterectomy in 2024 and it’s made life so much easier for many reasons both physically and mentally!” Another says, “You deserve to be comfortable in your body. Here’s to a restful recovery”. Another pointed out that this speaks to a wider debate in women’s health:
“Women should have easier access to care when they need it like this imo, we are not incubation wombs, we are humans who deserve to not be in constantly pain”
But there are naysayers, with one saying, “You should’ve had kids because you could’ve provided a life you never had, for them”. Replies to that describe this as “disrespectful”, with itsokayitsalright themselves intervening to say “thats a horrible reason to have kids, actually so selfish”.
