Cancer Hysterectomy

Thursday, May 9th, 2002 at 9:58 pm

Hysterectomy; When Should You Have One

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. This procedure can be, radical, partial or total. Radical involves the complete removal of the uterus, upper vagina and the paremetrium. Partial involves the removal of only the fundus of the uterus. Total on the other hand involves the complete removal of the uterus including the corpus and the cervix.

Removal of the uterus not only makes one unable to bear children but also leads to considerable changes in hormone levels. Changes in the level of hormones can lead to an early onset of menopause. This surgery is recommended in very few specific circumstances. It may be performed when someone has certain types of cancers. They include uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers.

Hysterectomy is also performed when a woman has fibroids. Fibroids are benign tumor-like growths inside the uterus. The uterus is a hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ. The ovaries produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone which are crucial when it comes to reproduction.

The average onset age of menopause in women who have undergone this procedure is 3.7 years earlier than average. This has been attributed to the disruption of the blood supply to the ovaries after the surgery. When the ovaries are also removed, the estrogen levels fall leading to what is referred to as surgical menopause. Removal of the ovaries leads to a sudden drop in hormonal levels and this causes a rapid onset of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Hysterectomy has also been linked to increased bladder function problems such as urinary incontinence.

About the Author

Mercy Maranga Reports on Health and Fitness issues. Visit Her Site here for more information on menopause and how to effectively go through it. Menopause

I had a complete hysterectomy 3 years ago due to cancer. Is there such thing as a uteran transplant?

I would really like to have a child. I am 28 years old an married to the greatest guy ever. We can not afford to adopt. Is there anything that can be done surgically to be able to have a baby. Please help I want a child.
I do not have any ovaries they took those also, so therefore surrogacy is not an option. We checked into adoption and they told us it would take 25,000 from start to finish.

No there is no such thing as a uterine transplant. I'm so sorry this wasn't discussed at the time of your treatment. They should have told you.

Do you still have ovaries? If you have ovaries you may be able to have a surrogate carry your baby for you. But before doing that, I would have a test done to check the quality of the eggs you have left (cancer treatment may have affected it).

Good luck.

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