This woman’s periods and ovarian cysts were so painful she decided to have a hysterectomy at just 28 years old — and after years of feeling uncomfortable in her body, she now feels confident enough to take part in bikini competitions.
Ashley Williamson, 31, from Texas, endured abdominal pain, cysts, and painful periods for her entire life until she decided to undergo the procedure.
In 2016, Ashley finally wanted to end the excruciating cycle she had suffered through for so long, and so she made the decision to have a hysterectomy, preventing her from having any other children.
Changes: Ashley Williamson, 31, from Texas, had a hysterectomy after years of painful periods. She also lost 80 pounds after struggling with her weight for most of her adult life
Stage-ready: Five years after she first started to lose weight, and two years after her hysterectomy, Ashley has now competed in two bikini bodybuilding competitions
Ashley had struggled with her weight since the birth of her child in 2004, back when she was 17 years old.
After having her second child in 2012, started to change her lifestyle habits.
‘After suffering with abdominal pain, ovarian cysts and heavy menstrual cycles for most of my life, it was discovered that heavy cycles were causing me to be anemic,’ she said.
‘I had my first child in 2004 at the age of 17 and my body really didn’t bounce back. That’s where my negative body image began. After that, I didn’t wear a bikini until I was 24 years old and even then I was very self-conscious.
‘My weight continued to pack on over the years. It wasn’t until my second child was born in 2012 that I got serious about my health.
Process: Ashley had struggled with her weight since the birth of her child in 2004, back when she was 17 years old. She started changing her lifestyle habits in 2012
Results: Ashley went from weighing 187 pounds and being a size 16 to weighing 104 pounds and wearing a size 8
Procedure: In 2016, Ashley wanted to end the excruciating cycle she had suffered through for so long and decided to have a hysterectomy. Her scars are pictured
‘After my second child was born, I decided that my weight and my health had spiraled too far out of control. I wanted to live a long life for my children and be able to chase them around.
‘I used Weight Watchers and cardio to lose the first 50 pounds and managed to keep the weight off.’
Ashley went from weighing 187 pounds and being a size 16 to weighing 104 pounds and wearing a size 8.
Having major surgery in 2016 for a hysterectomy made it difficult for Ashley to keep up with her newfound love for fitness, because she was on bed rest and had to rebuild her strength in the following months.
A hysterectomy is a last resort for most medical professionals as patients are left unable to carry children, but Ashley knew it was the best decision for her.
Feeling great: Ashley (pictured left on her wedding day in 2012 and right before she embarked on her new lifestyle) says she is much more confident now
Symptoms: Before her hysterectomy, Ashley (pictured left in the middle of her weight loss journey and right in a recent snap) suffered from terrible cramps and anemia
Transformation: Ashley saw her hysterectomy as an opportunity to end the pain and discomfort she was so used to and to become stronger, both physically and mentally
‘I was anemic from a heavy flow and I had terrible cramps my whole life,’ she said.
‘I moved to Texas and found a doctor who finally knew how to take care of me and she recommended the hysterectomy and that I also go gluten-free.
‘She put me on a natural thyroid hormone replacement and started a natural estrogen and testosterone replacement a month before the hysterectomy.
Mindset: Fitness has changed Ashley’s attitude to life as she is now constantly seeking success
‘The bloat was the most uncomfortable feeling, but it subsided a little more each day. For me, the hardest part was not being able to get up and move around as much as I wanted to.
‘At that point, I decided to lose more of the weight and I set my goal to start competing in bikini competitions.’
Five years after she first started to shed her pregnancy weight, and two years after her hysterectomy, Ashley has now competed in two bikini bodybuilding competitions.
Fitness has changed Ashley’s attitude to life as she is now constantly seeking success and achieving the goals that she sets herself.
Ashley saw her hysterectomy as an opportunity to end the pain and discomfort she was so used to and to become stronger, both physically and mentally.
‘It took me eight months from the time when I decided I wanted to compete to being conditioned enough to take the stage,’ Ashley said.
‘I will always feel that there is room for improvement, especially in a sport like bodybuilding. However, I am the most confident I have ever been.
‘I have found my voice and my backbone. I now have a will to succeed like I never had before.’