After Suffering Adenomyosis For Years, Mom Says Hysterectomy Was 'Best Decision' She's Ever Made

Adenomyosis was one of the most common reasons for hysterectomy procedures in the Philippines from January 2011 to June 2014, according to the Health Research and Development Information Network, a platform under the DOS-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus through surgery.

Another government online health information under the Department of Health, Healthy Pilipinas, reports that “between 20 and 35 percent of women have adenomyosis” and that it “affects more women who have had children than women who have never had children.”

Fabrienne “Faves” Carbonell, wife to husband Jherson and mom to Caeden, 7 and CK, 14, perhaps understand these figures better than most women. In August 2023 she had undergone a hysterectomy after years of suffering the symptoms of adenomyosis. “I had dysmenorrhea since I was young and even before I had my first child. I thought it was only normal. In 2018, it became more severe,” she recalls.

Apart from dysmenorrhea, she also experienced cramping and the pain radiated to her pelvis and lower back, all the way to her legs. She also had dyspareunia or pain during intercourse. She managed the pain and the bleeding by taking medication. However, since most of her medicines were prescribed, she wasn’t allowed to take them whenever she had her monthly attacks.

“My adenomyosis was diagnosed last year 2022 [but before that] all my ultrasounds were normal. My doctor said that adenomyosis was difficult to diagnose,” she adds.

The Mayo Clinic site explains that adenomyosis occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrial tissue) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. “The displaced tissue continues to act normally—thickening, breaking down and bleeding — during each menstrual cycle. An enlarged uterus and painful, heavy periods can result.”

The cause of adenomyosis is not known but the painful symptoms usually resolve after menopause, according to the same site.

Hysterectomy at 37

At just 37, Faves has more than a decade to go before menopause and is still of childbearing age. This is what made the decision to go for a hysterectomy more complicated for her and her husband.

“Having a hysterectomy was a hard decision. Before I consulted an OB-gyn-Oncologist, I said to myself that I would never have a hysterectomy,” Faves recalls, adding that she and her husband were still hoping to have a girl next time they got pregnant. However, the results of Faves’s tests and procedures indicated that apart from Adenomyosis, she also has abnormal cells that can become pre-cancer cells.

This development made the Carbonells reconsider hysterectomy.” My doctor also said that having adenomyosis will disrupt my quality of life and it seems that I don’t have any good options at all,” Faves says. “My husband and I decided to do it. I consider myself lucky that, by giving up my uterus, I will no longer have pains and I can take care of my two kids and live a happy, peaceful, and free from anxiety life.

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It turned out to be the best decision the couple made. After having her hysterectomy, Faves’s biopsy results showed that there were more abnormal cells in her cervix and endometrial lining that could lead to endo-cervical cancer.

Faves is currently waiting for a full recovery and is only grateful for having a supportive family and husband while she does. “When I was still in my post-operation recovery, my husband became both ‘husband and wife’ and I am so proud of him,” she says. He gets up early to prepare the kids for school and does all the household chores. He supported me all the way.”

Advice for women

If there was one thing she wished she had done before learning about her disease, that would be babies much earlier. “I only have two boys and their age gap is seven years,” she says.

As she slowly recovers, Faves is finding wisdom in the ordeal she and her husband have gone through. “Sometimes, you need to let go of what no longer serves you,” she reflects. “I always thought that having a hysterectomy would make me feel that something is missing, and I would be depressed but I feel better and healthier. I am no longer afraid and anxious” she says, grateful.

Her advice to women going through the same dilemma is to find a support group. She says support groups on social media helped her. It was through Faves’s brave post about overcoming adenomyosis that Smart Parenting stumbled upon her story. The same post may still be helping other women know more about the disease.

“It was indeed one of the best decisions I have ever made,” Faves now says after getting through the hardest part of dealing with adenomyosis. “I always think of the future of my kids. I can see them growing up healthy and happy now that my adenomyosis disease is all in the past.” And even if she and her husband cannot have any more kids, they know it is going to be all right. “Sabi nga ng husband ko bawi na lang kami sa maraming apo,’ she quips.