The Role Of Hysterectomy In Menopause

by David J. Marketing Manager

A hysterectomy is a surgery used to remove the uterus and is also the second most frequent surgical procedure among reproductive-aged women, after a caesarean section. About 600,000 hysterectomy surgeries are performed in the United States each year.

However, removing your uterus, even though it doesn’t serve the purpose of housing a pregnancy any more, can have unexpected effects on your body. Here are a few things you should know before you go in for this procedure:

Is It Right For You?

Some women mistakenly think that a hysterectomy will help them escape the distressing side effects of menopause. However, it will not relieve menopause symptoms; in some cases, it might actually cause the body to undergo menopause.

Additionally, as it is a major surgery, and there are some drawbacks, it is only recommended for women who have valid medical concerns that need to be addressed.

Some risks associated with hysterectomies include:

· Infection

· Blood clots

· Adverse reactions to anaesthesia

· Damage to urinary tract

· Bowel blockage

· Premature menopause

You need to be extra vigilant and consider the benefits and potential side effects of a hysterectomy before you decide to have one.

Why Do Women In Menopause Get A Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy may be beneficial in some medical conditions. Women who can benefit from the procedure include those with medical problems like:

· Endometriosis: A condition where the tissue that lines the uterus develops outside the organ instead

· Adenomyosis: A painful condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows deep in the uterine wall

· Pre-malignancies: Cell changes that signal risks of ovarian or cervical cancer

· Prolapsed uterus: A condition where the uterus sags into the vagina due to lack of muscular support

Role Of Hormones

One of the most important elements in the decision making process is your ability to tolerate hormones and your personal feelings about hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy might be needed if the decision is to remove both the ovaries.

Removing the ovaries can be a hormonal catastrophe. In many cases, patients who are not ready for hormone replacement therapy are advised to keep their ovaries at the time of hysterectomy. Even if your ovaries stop producing enough estrogens at age 48 to 52 – the typical menopause age – they produce large amounts of testosterone, some of which is converted by body tissues into estrogens.

The Bottom Line

Even if the benefits seem clear to you, especially if you face certain risk factors, going for this surgery is a major decision and needs to be made after careful consideration of the potential ups and downs. Make sure you discuss everything with your doctor first.

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