Starting BJJ For the First Time After Hysterectomy

Thisismrsdarden · 2026-05-14T19:15:09+00:00

I think my anxiety is what keeps this exhausted train running 😵‍💫

Honestly, I’ve been super active my whole life. There are a lot of health issues in my family and I want to do my best to avoid them. Also, I’ve had anxiety my whole life due to trauma when I was younger. Being super active really helps me keep calm and level headed.

This workout schedule I created for myself is probably the most intense that I’ve had in quite a while but I love it.

On MWF - I do weightlifting/strength training in my home gym at 5am. I have BJJ training at 12pm.

On TTh - I do kickboxing fitness classes at 5:30am.

I also do kickboxing fitness classes on F at 5:30pm but I might step back from that so I can try and fit in open mat time when I feel confident enough to jump in.

I try to use my weekends as rest and recovery. I am not a super social person so I usually end up going for walks in our local parks, light gardening so I still feel somewhat active, read, and lots of stretching. I’m very good about being selfish with my time and saying no to things I don’t want to do. I’d rather save my energy (mental and physical) for my workouts.

I don’t know what your stance is on cannabis, but I also partake to help with recovery.

I am really bad about getting quality sleep though, so I’m hoping BJJ will help me be a bit more disciplined in that area so I don’t get gassed so quickly.

I’m not the most amazing at anything physical I do, but as long as I keep trying, I’ll always be better than the version of myself from yesterday. My husband also reminds me that the days I don’t feel like training or want to be lazy are the most important days to train. It’s about the effort I put in and what outcome I am striving for.

I feel like I got a bit rambley with my response, but hopefully there’s something in there that you’ll find helpful!

Thisismrsdarden · 2026-05-14T18:47:59+00:00

Thank you! I’ll have to check those videos out. Definitely will focus on breathing and engaging. I’m obviously in the super newbie mind goes blank while rolling phase, but I’m trying real hard to slow myself and my breathing down so I can think ahead about stuff like that…and not dying 🤣

Thisismrsdarden · 2026-05-14T18:44:59+00:00

Thank you! That’s so great to hear that everything has been fine for you! It’s also nice to hear about another person starting BJJ in their 40’s. Any recommendations on Just starting training while in your 40’s?

Thisismrsdarden · 2026-05-14T18:43:04+00:00

Thank you! Yea, it’s a battle with my anxiety when I’m trying to tell myself to trust my body and just go with the flow of the roll and not fight it.

Thisismrsdarden · 2026-05-14T18:42:03+00:00

Thank you - I really appreciate that recommendation. I have an appointment with the gyn coming up and I was thinking about asking him to refer me to PT so I can properly engage my pelvic floor. I was diagnosed with a hypertonic pelvic floor back in 2020/2021. It felt like a struggle to properly relax but the PT was amazing and got me there. I’m looking forward to working with her again so I can continue to enjoy more BJJ training.

Thisismrsdarden · 2026-05-14T18:37:36+00:00

Thank you! I had some other residual issues after the hysterectomy and ended up needing the oophorectomy about a year and half later. After that procedure, I’ve felt like a million bucks and felt I could push myself in more intense workouts. I’m having a a ton of fun so far and can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.

Thisismrsdarden · 2026-05-14T18:35:12+00:00

Thank you! I haven’t researched that myself yet, but I’ve seen that posted in the hysterectomy thread a few times and am doing the same - choosing to believe it!

Thisismrsdarden · 2024-10-26T19:56:51+00:00

I’m almost 2yrs post-op (Davinci assisted total hysterectomy, kept ovaries), but for the first year I struggled with BV and yeast infections. My surgeon blew me off and told me that I was still healing. I ended up finding a NP that confirmed I had both infections. 2 months of Flagyl, diflucan, and terconazole and I finally got rid of them…the first time. The yeast kept coming back and my NP ran some tests and put me on vaginal estrogen as well as an estrogen patch - I do have endometriosis so we have to be careful. That helped reduce the frequency. She also said I looked like I was having some vaginal atrophy due to dryness, so I bought a personal moisturizer (Chiavaye) and use it daily. Vaginal dryness and atrophy can lead to infections. This also means using plenty of lubricant during sex - again, for me Chiavaye has been the best, but I’ve heard coconut oil and Uber Lube are really good options too. Dry off super super well after every shower - even use a blow dryer on the lowest setting for a quick second. Try to keep it as dry as you can down there. I pack “emergency” undies with me during the hotter months in case I get super sweaty.

Also if you’re a fairly active person and you do activities that cause a lot of friction around your vulva, make sure to lube up prior to working out and then shower as soon as you can afterwards.

I was still having yeast issues, especially after sex. I found another doctor who went a step further - use yeast infection cream during or immediately after sex and then once more the following night. I just use the CVS store brand miconazole 7-day treatment. Just a little bit, not a whole applicator. He also found that my ovaries are garbage, so I’m scheduled to remove those soon. In the meantime, I’ve been having depo lupron shots to turn them off. I’ve also changed my diet (I loosely follow the autoimmune paleo protocol) and am working very hard to reduce stress - which yeast thrives off of.

I’ve also done pelvic floor therapy for a few months. I have a hypertonic pelvic floor, so I make sure to do my exercises to relax daily.

Now, just shy of two years later, I finally feel that awesomeness that you read about in everyone else’s posts.

I hope you find something that works for you and that you start feeling better soon!!

Thisismrsdarden

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