Hysterectomy

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A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually done by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total (removing the body and cervix of the uterus) or partial (also called supra-cervical). In many cases, surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) is performed concurrent with a hysterectomy. The surgery is then called "total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy."

Women who have total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy surgeries lose most of their ability to produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone and subsequently enter what is known as "surgically-induced menopause" (as opposed to normal menopause, which occurs naturally in women as part of the aging process). In women under the age of 50, hormone supplements (usually estrogen) are often prescribed as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to offset the negative effects of sudden hormonal loss (most notably an increased risk for early-onset osteoporosis). This treatment is somewhat controversial due to the known carcinogenic and coagulative properties of estrogen; however, many physicians and patients feel the benefits outweigh the risks in women who would otherwise be "too young" to be in full-blown menopause.

Although many hysterectomies are performed via a full abdominal incision laparotomy, two common surgical approaches which are less invasive are laparoscopically or vaginally. Surgery with ovarian conservation is an option for the pre-menopausal patient with benign disease (non cancer).

Indications for hysterectomy include uterine fibroids, pelvic pain (including endometriosis and adenomyosis), pelvic relaxation (or prolapse), heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding, and cancer or pre-cancer diseases. Hysterectomy is also a surgical resort used in cases of uncontrollable postpartum obstetrical haemorrhage. Uterine fibroids, although a benign disease, may cause heavy menstrual flow and discomfort to some women. Many treatments are possible: Pharmaceutical (the use of NSAIDs for the pain or hormones to suppress the menstrual cycle), uterine artery embolization, or surgical. The surgical treatment varies depending on the location of the fibroids. If the fibroids are inside the lining of the uterus, hysteroscopic removal might be an option.

Transsexuals undergoing gender reassignment surgery as part of a female-to-male (FTM) transition commonly have hysterectomies and oophorectomies to remove the primary sources of female hormone production. For health reasons, some FTM have these organs removed prior to full gender reassignment surgery, as it reduces risk for developing Polycystic ovary syndrome and other ovarian and uterine problems due to the higher doses of testosterone being administered as part of the process; some, however, wait to have a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as part of the full gender reassignment surgery procedure to avoid having multiple surgeries over the course of their transitions.[1]

New treatment options have begun to decrease the number of hysterectomies performed in the United States, Canada, and Britain. Despite the availability of alternative treatments to hysterectomy, many women still have traditional hysterectomy. For some patients, these alternatives are not appropriate, or may have been previously tried and been found unsuccessful. All patients should be counselled on alternative therapies and offered them if appropriate.

Menorrhagia (heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding) may be treated with the less invasive endometrial ablation.

Potential risks associated with hysterectomy[edit]

Several studies have found that increased bone loss or fracture risk is associated with hysterectomy.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] As compared to intact women who had been treated with endometrial ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, a higher rate of sexual dysfunction has been found in women who have had a hysterectomy, with one or both ovaries conserved. An even higher rate of sexual dysfunction was found in women with hysterectomy with both ovaries removed.[8] Women who have had a hysterectomy with both ovaries conserved typically have reduced testosterone levels as compared to intact women.[9] Reduced levels of testosterone in women is predictive of height loss, which may occur as a result of reduced bone density,[10] while conversely, increased testosterone levels in women are associated with a greater sense of sexual desire.[11] Hysterectomy has also been found to be associated with increased bladder function problems, such as incontinence.[12]

It should be noted that other studies have examined these risks and found no correlation between them and hysterectomy.[13] [14] [15] [16] In the case of sexual function after hysterectomy, studies which find a favorable outcome have compared women's sexual function after hysterectomy to the same women's sexual function before surgery, when they were still dealing with serious uterine problems.[17] [18] In contrast, the study which found a correlation between sexual dysfunction and hysterectomy compared women treated with hysterectomy to those whose uterine problems were resolved without removing their uteruses.[19] Collectively these studies suggest that sexual function is best with a healthy uterus, second best with no uterus, and worst with serious and unresolved uterine problems, and that retaining the ovaries aids in sexual function and bone health.[20] [21]

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑  Hudson's FTM Guide: FTM Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy, "Why have a hysterectomy/oophorectomy?" (Retrieved 21 January 2006)
  1. ↑  "Risk factors for pelvis fracture in older persons." Am J Epidemiol. 2005 Nov 1;162(9):879-86. [PMID: 16221810]
  1. ↑  "Risk factors for osteoporosis related to their outcome: fractures." Osteoporos Int. 2001;12(8):630-8. [PMID: 11580076]
  1. ↑  "Bone loss after hysterectomy with ovarian conservation." Obstet Gynecol. 1995 Jul;86(1):72-7. [PMID: 7784026]
  1. ↑  "Effects of simple hysterectomy on bone loss." Sao Paulo Med J. 1995 Nov-Dec;113(6):1012-5. [PMID: 8731286]
  1. ↑  "Effects of natural menopause, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy on lumbar spine and femoral neck bone densities." Obstet Gynecol. 1988 Oct;72(4):631-8. [PMID: 3419740]
  1. ↑  "Endocrine and metabolic effects of simple hysterectomy." Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1987 Dec;25(6):459-63. [PMID: 2892704]
  1. ↑  "Psychosexual health 5 years after hysterectomy: population-based comparison with endometrial ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding." Health Expect. 2005 Sep;8(3):234-43. [PMID: 16098153]
  1. ↑  "Hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and endogenous sex hormone levels in older women: the Rancho Bernardo Study." J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Feb;85(2):645-51. [PMID: 10690870]
  1. ↑  "Low bioavailable testosterone levels predict future height loss in postmenopausal women." J Bone Miner Res. 1995 Apr;10(4):650-4. [PMID: 7610937]
  1. ↑  "Female hypoactive sexual desire disorder: History and current status." J Sex Med. 2006 May;3(3):408-18. [PMID: 16681466]
  1. ↑  "Self-reported bladder function five years post-hysterectomy." J Obstet Gynaecol. 2005 Jul;25(5):469-75. [PMID: 16183583]
  1. ↑  "Prevalence of osteoporosis and its reproductive risk factors among Jordanian women: a cross-sectional study." Osteoporos Int. 2003 Nov;14(11):929-40. Epub 2003 Oct 7. [PMID: 14530908]
  1. ↑  "Hysterectomy with ovarian conservation: effect on bone mineral density." Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1998 Nov;38(4):452-4. [PMID: 9890233]
  1. ↑  "Lack of influence of simple premenopausal hysterectomy on bone mass and bone metabolism." Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995 Mar;172(3):891-5. [PMID: 7892881]
  1. ↑  "A comparison of bladder and ovarian function two years following hysterectomy or endometrial ablation." Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1996 Sep;103(9):898-903. [PMID: 8813310]
  1. ↑  "Hysterectomy and sexual wellbeing: prospective observational study of vaginal hysterectomy, subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, and total abdominal hysterectomy." BMJ. 2003 Oct 4;327(7418):774-8. [PMID: 14525872]
  1. ↑  "Hysterectomy and sexual functioning." JAMA. 1999 Nov 24;282(20):1934-41. [PMID: 10580459]


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