Ep.4/ The overlooked impact of hormones on women's mental health: Sinéad O'Connor's story
A courageous story
In her later years, Sinéad shared her harrowing experience following a hysterectomy, shedding light on the connection of hormonal changes on mental health. This article delves into the significance of acknowledging and addressing the impact of hormones, particularly during PMDD, perimenopause, and menopause, and the importance of support and understanding during these vulnerable stages of a woman's life.
Sinéad O'Connor's struggle
Sinéad underwent a hysterectomy to treat her endometriosis. The surgery impacted her mental health. “When I had the surgery, I was terribly triggered,”
Sinéad O'Connor courageously opened up about her mental health struggles, which she attributed to her hysterectomy. She revealed that no one had warned her or her family about the potential consequences of the surgery on her mental well-being. This lack of information resulted in a rapid decline in her mental health, leaving her feeling isolated, angry, and suicidal. The hormonal changes brought on by the hysterectomy had a profound impact on her emotions, leaving her family unsure of how to cope with the changes they were witnessing.
In Sinéad’s own words
“I had a hysterectomy in 2015 and the same year one of my children became very unwell… I became very unwell and it took me five years to recover,”
"Nobody had explained to me or my family that 'she's going to be a crazy bitch because we took her ovaries for no reason'. So the children were terrified of me," she said.
"[I was] angry. Raging. I was furious. I was completely gone. I was suicidal,"
"Nobody could deal with me. I was very isolated and alone. I’d be looking at them, thinking, what the hell are they all frightened of?"
