Removal of the uterus or hysterectomy: what should you know?

Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that consists in the removal of the uterus. In most cases the complete removal of the uterus (body and cervix) is performed and is called: total hysterectomy.

Nowadays, together with the hysterectomy, the removal of both fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) is usually performed.

Hysterectomy is performed both in cases of benign gynecological pathology and in cases of malignant tumors (cancer). The main diseases in which a hysterectomy is required are:

• Uterine myomas (benign tumors): being the most frequent indication.
• Endometriosis
• Uterine prolapse
• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
• Pelvic pain
• Gynecological cancer: ovarian, endometrial, and cervical.

Can hysterectomy cause menopausal symptoms?

A woman begins to experience menopause when her ovaries stop functioning. In the case of total hysterectomy, which removes the ovaries, menopause begins right after surgery, regardless of the patient's age.

In the case of ovarian removal, symptoms such as mood swings, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes usually come on quickly, in most cases.

"Because of this, women undergoing total hysterectomies may look into hormone replacement options designed to reduce the predominant symptoms of menopause after surgery," explained Fraser Gomez, MD, nurse midwife at Hospital Clinica Biblica.

Most women only need to take estrogen after a hysterectomy as an option for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), although those with a history of severe endometriosis may also require taking a progestin.

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