Shelly Horton has revealed the shock and heartache she felt when her doctor told her she would have to undergo a hysterectomy.
Due to severe perimenopausal symptoms and heavy bleeding, the Talking Married host requires the surgical procedure to remove a woman's uterus.
“I’m shocked at how overwhelmed and teary I feel about this,” the 50-year-old writes in her column for Nine Honey.
Shelly says that although she never wanted children, she still feels some sadness over the loss of her reproductive organ.
“I'm proud to be childless by choice, so I'm angry that this organ I never needed is causing me so much grief,” she writes.
Shelly Horton (pictured) has revealed the shock and heartache she felt when her doctor told her she would have to have a hysterectomy
“I also feel a mixture of anger, sadness and the feeling of being betrayed by my own body.”
Shelly emphasized that “a uterus does not define a woman,” adding that her story was a “call for all of us to redefine femininity beyond biological functions.”
Horton has spoken openly in the past about why she doesn't want to have children with her husband, and they are perfectly content to start a family with two dogs instead.
But the Australian journalist admitted she was shocked by a troll's email which called Horton an “obese feminist” who he would like to see “get off TV”.
Shelly says that although she never wanted children, she still feels some sadness over the loss of her reproductive organ
The full email read: “I’m so glad you don’t have children. Just getting you off the telly now would be the best Christmas present a man could ask for.” Being an overweight feminist is nothing to be proud of.
What is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause means “around menopause” and refers to the time when your body naturally transitions into menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years
Women begin perimenopause at different ages
At some point in your 40s, you may notice signs of menopause progression, such as: B. menstrual irregularity. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s
Source: Mayoclinic
“Trolls don't usually worry me. “Like most women in the media, I get messages like that a lot,” she said the next day.
“But I've been working long hours on some big new projects (plus a hellish night at the Logies) so I was tired and he was getting under my skin.”
Shelly recently spoke about suffering from anxiety and bouts of “extreme emotions” as a result of perimenopause.
Perimenopause is the time when your body enters menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.
In May, the usually bright and bubbly personality posted a tearful video on Instagram in which she admitted that she was feeling overwhelmed and was no longer “getting on her feet” like she used to.
Horton revealed that when she first started experiencing perimenopause symptoms, she turned into a completely different person.
Her personality and “get her” attitude was replaced by waves of sadness and even an inability to get out of bed.
Australian TV personality reveals her 'sadness' upon learning she needs a hysterectomy despite being 'proudly childless by choice'