Hysterectomy is recommended in very specific situations. This operation can, for example, be recommended in certain cases of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or to treat cancer of the female reproductive organs.
1. What exactly is a hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy refers to the removal of the uterus. This surgical procedure can be recommended to relieve symptoms linked to certain pathologies, such as uterine fibroids, uterine prolapse, that is to say a descent of an organ, or endometriosis for example. Hysterectomy is also recommended to treat and limit the development of certain gynecological cancers. As the Canadian Cancer Society indicates on its site, there are different types of hysterectomy :
- Total hysterectomy, or simple hysterectomy, which involves removing the uterus and cervix.
- Subtotal hysterectomy, which involves removing only the uterus.
- Radical hysterectomy, which involves removing the uterus, the cervix, but also surrounding tissues, such as the part of the vagina located under the cervix as well as the ligaments that support the uterus.
As the Robert-Debré AP-HP hospital specifies on its website, hysterectomy “is practiced under general anesthesia, and the surgical procedure lasts approximately 1 hour. Hysterectomy can be carried out by laparotomy, in other words abdominally, vaginally, that is to say vaginally, or by laparoscopy, a technique which consists of making small incisions on the abdominal wall. The patient is then often advised to take a month of rest before resuming her daily activities.
2. The consequences and complications of a hysterectomy
Following a hysterectomy, the patient is generally hospitalized between one and three days. It is possible to have some vaginal bleeding and feel pain in the area after the operation. Have a fever or heavy bleeding however, requires urgent consultation. As with any surgical procedure, infectious and hemorrhagic risks are indeed present, as is a risk of phlebitis or pulmonary embolism linked to bed rest.
3. Stopping periods after a hysterectomy
After a total hysterectomy, or simple hysterectomy, periods stop completely because the uterus and cervix have been removed. If the patient has undergone a subtotal hysterectomy, the periods may however partially persist. In cases where the hysterectomy has been coupled with an oophorectomy, that is to say, removal of the ovaries, symptoms of menopause may appear, such as sudden hot flashes.
4. Consequence of a hysterectomy: infertility
In all cases of hysterectomy, it is no longer possible for the patient to conceive and naturally carry a child thereafter. It should be noted, however, that the patient’s ability to produce eggs may not have been affected.
5. Hormonal changes related to hysterectomy
The hormonal changes linked to the hysterectomy will vary depending on the type of operation the patient received. In cases of hysterectomy with preservation of the ovaries, the production of hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen, continues. However, some women may experience hormonal variations. In the case of a hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries, one of the consequences of the operation is immediate surgical menopause. Hormone production actually stops without the ovaries. The patient will then experience the various symptoms linked to menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes or even vaginal dryness.
6. Hysterectomy and anatomical changes
Hysterectomy is a surgical operation characterized by the removal of part of the genital organs. It can therefore lead to anatomical changes in the pelvic area. Firstly, the removed organs are of course no longer present after the operation. Other organs may then be affected by the operation. For example, the ligaments supporting the uterus may be affected, leading to changes in the structure and support of the pelvic region. Finally, there will be a healing process following the surgical procedure when performed by laparotomy or laparoscopy, which also results in anatomical changes.
Sources:
Canadian Cancer Society, Robert-Debré Hospital of the AP-HP, National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians
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