Every year, about 500,000 women have a hysterectomy, which is surgery to remove the uterus. It’s the second most common surgery for women, preceded by Cesarean section (C-section).
Women have hysterectomies to treat gynecological conditions like endometriosis. While surgery can help some women get relief from their severe pelvic pain, there’s no guarantee that it can resolve endometriosis for good.
Our team at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, understands the difficulties endometriosis can cause. March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month, so we’re taking this opportunity to explain when we consider a hysterectomy as treatment for this condition and how it might help you.
Women with this common gynecological condition have endometrial tissue, the tissue that lines the uterus, that grows outside of the uterus. The growths are most often found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and outer portion of the uterus, but they may also grow on the bowel, bladder, or rectum.
Endometrial tissue grows and sheds with your menstrual cycle. In the uterus, the lining exits the body through your vagina as your period. However, when it grows outside of the uterus, the shedded endometrial tissue has nowhere to go, causing inflammation, swelling, and pain.
Over time, the continued shedding of the endometrial tissue leads to scarring and worsening pelvic pain. Treatment for endometriosis varies based on severity of symptoms, but includes:
Though treatment may ease symptoms, endometriosis is a chronic condition without a cure.
Hysterectomy is a common, but serious, surgery that we consider only when all other treatments fail. During the procedure, we remove the uterus and cervix, so you no longer menstruate and can no longer bear children. If they’ve been damaged by endometriosis, we may also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Removing the ovaries causes immediate menopause, and you may need hormone therapy to manage symptoms and reduce your risk of osteoporosis.
Some women may experience relief from their endometriosis symptoms following a hysterectomy, but it’s not a cure-all for everyone. The results of the surgery depend on the location of endometrial-like growths and whether we removed the ovaries.
If you have growths outside of the reproductive organs, you may continue to experience pelvic pain after a hysterectomy. You may also have symptoms if you still have your ovaries because they produce the hormones that trigger growth of the endometrial tissue.
Pain relief makes surgery very appealing for women with severe symptoms, but it may not produce the results you want. Additionally, a hysterectomy is not the right choice for women with future pregnancy plans.
Endometriosis is a complex medical condition that affects everyone differently. If you have endometriosis and it’s affecting your quality of life, we can talk to you about treatment options so you can make an informed decision.
Contact Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, in Hastings or Grand Island, Nebraska, today or request an appointment online for an endometriosis consultation.
