There’s not a week that goes by that I’m not witness to other women with endometriosis who are considering getting a hysterectomy. This may have been suggested by your doctor, or you’ve reached a point where you’re so over the pain and feel like that’s the only option left.
Will hysterectomy solve endometriosis?
There’s a common myth out there that hysterectomy will stop endometriosis. This is based on the old theory of retrograde menstruation, in which menstrual blood flows through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity, instead of out your body through your vagina. It has been believed that this is a cause behind endometriosis.
However, as reported by top endo specialist, Dr. Cook, “endometriosis consists of tissue that is similar but not identical to the native endometrium that lines the uterus, suggesting that it is not a mere autotransplant.”
This puts forth a big red flag. Is endo actually coming from the uterus? Or is it morphed from something else, implanted at birth? It’s not clear on an answer for this at this point. There is no absolute known cause.
But it does raise a question about the validity of the hysterectomy option that’s so commonly pushed in doctor’s offices as a solution for endometriosis. If you have endo implants throughout your body, then a hysterectomy isn’t going to get rid of them. They can still prosper without the uterus.
Why the jump to hysterectomy?
In my opinion, the hysterectomy option is offered much too soon in the conversation. Where does this disrespect for your powerful uterus come from? Why is there such a quickness to remove this sacred organ from women’s bodies?
There’s an embedded belief from early medical times that through removal of the female organs that women would then gain mental stability.
The first physicians deemed the uterus unstable, citing it as the reason behind insanity or instability in their female patients. In fact, ‘hysteria’ (derived from hyster, the Greek term for uterus) was considered a condition in which a woman’s insanity was caused by her uterus.
~ Eve Agee, The Uterine Health Companion
I grew up with a disrespect for my own uterus, especially when it started to bring me an immense amount of pain with my periods. I watched as my mother had her uterus removed, and at that time, I couldn’t wait to get rid of mine.
I viewed my uterus as naturally problematic and society fed into that belief. Hysterectomy is the second most common operation performed on women in the United States. Every year more than 60,000 undergo this procedure, despite the fact that for many, the surgery is unnecessary.
Three Reasons To Love Your Uterus…
If you’ve reached this point within your own journey with endometriosis, before making the cut, I ask you to consider the following three potential long term impacts that could come from removal of your uterus, and why this powerful organ should be left in tact, if possible.
#1.) It’s the main support in your pelvic region
As the main organ in your pelvic core, your uterus is vital for maintaining proper alignment and function of your pelvic region. Your uterus helps keep your bladder in position in the front of your pelvis and your bowel in place behind it.
When your uterus is removed, your bowel, bladder and other abdominal and pelvic organs may become displaced, causing pressure, pain, and reduced function. There’s nothing worse than bladder pain!
Hysterectomies can also damage nerves in your pelvic region, triggering pain. So, while your hope’s to stop the pain, it’s important to consider the risks that the procedure could cause more issues down the line.
#2.) It plays a key role with blood pressure
Your uterus produces hormones that support your heart and relieve pain. One such hormone is prostacyclin, which prevents unhealthy blood clotting as well as heart disease.
I’ve heard many stories of ladies having high blood pressure after hysterectomy. Another concern is an increased risk for blood clots.
Your uterus also produces different hormones and enzymes that provide immune benefits, including natural endorphins.
#3.) It provides sexual arousal & amazing orgasms!
Speaking of endorphins, your uterus is attached to important pelvic nerves and blood supply that provide sensation and sexual arousal in your clitoris and vagina.
Your uterus plays a big role in internal orgasms, the ones that are “earth-shattering” and amazing! Your uterus is actually a main pleasure center.
I know it may not feel like that sometimes, but I can tell you from experience, that it is possible to enjoy sex again. You deserve that pleasure, love. It will nourish you physically and emotionally.
On the positive side?
I understand that in some circumstances hysterectomy could be a viable option, however I think it’s offered up much too soon in the conversation. I’ve been in that place where I’ve wanted to rip my uterus out of my body. I understand the trauma and pain that comes from those experiences.
But as my healing journey has progressed, I’ve learned to respect this powerful organ and the support that it provides to my pelvic and heart spaces.
Many of the hysterectomies that are performed in the US today are unnecessary. What other options have you pursued? When you move into the alternative health world, there are a plethora of choices available.
If you need help finding your way through, and want to save your uterus, then reach out! I do offer one-on-one coaching services to help guide you down a new path resulting in less pain, more energy and peace with endo.
Find out more about my coaching program and schedule time with me here.
I hope this helps you to re-consider the move to cut, but if you feel that’s truly the only option left, then I encourage you to implement some type of personal ritual to say goodbye to your uterus. I imagine that choice comes with a lot of emotions.
Trust your intuition when it comes to this big decision. It will not lead you astray.
Have you considered having a hysterectomy? Have you had one done? What has been your experience?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Much LOVE,
Thank you for an interesting read. I agree there are too many doctors who don’t know enough about Endometriosis and end up recommending a hysterectomy when it is not the right thing to do. Having Endometriosis stage 4, and living with it for close to 24 years before I was diagnosed + another 8 years with several surgeries, medical treatments, changing my diet etc. Not to mention the pain in accepting I will never have a baby that made me ask for a hysterectomy. I was 43 when I had my hysterectomy and now a year later I have no second thoughts, yes I still have flair ups but nothing compared to before and I am in control of my life. Education & information is important before making decisions, it is our own responsibility to ask questions and if we are not happy with the answer or don’t understand the answer or don’t like the risk go and get another opinion, you owe that to yourself, it is your body and life.
I am sorry I disagree regarding the organism part of your article. I thoroughly enjoyed sex much more once I had my hysterectomy and had no problem achieving orgasim!
I agree that the bowel and bladder will fall in as I have had to have both suspended. I had t have my hysterectomy at the age of 35 and I am now 65. There was n that much information about endo like their is today. I also ended up with an anterior bowel resection many years later after the hysterectomy due to endometriosis eating a hole in my bowel. I ended up wth an ileostomy bag for 6 months to allow the bowel to heal before they reattached it and removed the bag. Endometriosis is a horrible horrible disease
It’s good to hear sex has improved for you Rhoda. It’s definitely still possible to orgasm without your uterus… all hail the clitoris! Lol. Sorry to hear of your struggles with endo. It sounds like you’ve been through so much! Sending Love.
Hi Mie. It sounds like you did what was best for you. I agree that it’s good to be informed before making that decision. I’m not sure that the impacts are always explained. I’ve heard stories of ladies who are struggling more since having it done, so I think it could go either way.
Much Love to you.
I don’t know what to do 2 doctors just straight told me to get my utero use removed what no way please help me Tyler Texas Rozella
Hi Rozella. My best advice is to trust your gut. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. There are other options to try. Have you made changes with your diet?
Dear Ladies, I am so glad I read this article today. I have stage four endo as well and have suffered from pain my whole life, as a teen I would throw up every month at ovulation and they had no idea why. As an adult I have not able to have children, havevhad constant pain, was misdiagnosed like every woman for a long time, and my sister has it too now. Sadly my periods are also very awful and heavy as they are with many endo people. I ruin multiple outfits every period. Well I just had a hysterosonogram done or whatnot looking into my uterus and they can see that unusually I had endo deeply embedded into the walls of my uterus. Its likely causing the horrible pain and cramping to be much worse during my period. I have seen the worlds expert surgeon in Endo at Stanford – Dr Nezhat and this guy is amazing. He wrote the book on how to do noninvasive surgery on endo many years ago. He did tell me at the time he no longer uses hysterectomy as common endo treatment. My current ob/gyn had me scheduled to do a uteral ablation next week. We figured lets reduce or stop my periods at least. Its non invasive and may give me one less trauma each month to deal with, and won’t be as dramatic as a hysterectomy. We know it won’t take away endo from my uteral walls but its just something to minimize the drama I go through each month. He said if I want to remove that pain he suggests hysterectomy but I pushed back just a tiny bit with research about losing ovaries and losing pain fighting ability etc at only 46. But then today I began to consider well, what if I only took my uterus, maybe it would really minimize any damage or changes to my body. After reading your article though I feel very concerned about this possibility. Ive lived this long and my pain is not fun but I have no endo on my intestine and I have good sexual pleasure, it is mostly my periods that are bad now since I have an MD that believes in good pain care for the pain for endo. Your article has at least given me some serious questions to raise with my OBGYN today when he calls. THANK YOU! any advice is welcome ladies.
sincerely
Dana
Hi Dana. Thanks for sharing your story. It’s great to hear this served you. I wish you all the best on your journey. Much Love.
I have typed and retyped my response to this article many times, but all I’ll say is this: my hysterectomy saved my life.
Sending Love.
I’m in the UK. After many years of the worst periods with pain where I actually wished I’d die I’ve been diagnosed with endo. My bowel is stuck to my uterus and my consultant has advised a total hysterectomy. I’m doing my best to get my body ready. If there is another way please tell me. Only I don’t think I could go back to the pain. The only reason the endo was discovered was because I was rushed into hospital with an infection that nearly killed me.
There are other ways to manage the pain. I have a free guide with 25 natural pain relief strategies: peacewithendo.com/pain-relief.
Have you sought out an endometriosis specialist that does excision? There is no guarantee that hysterectomy will stop the pain.
Hi! I’m glad I’ve found this site. I’ve been looking for a support group tho. So hard to suffer from this nasty endometriosis.
I’m 35 yo and married. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for years now. I’ve been diagnosed with Endo last 2010 and had laparoscopic surgery. The surgery helped a little. I had Myomectomy done for fibroids like 3 years ago, and found out I also have Adenomyosis. Terrible! 😔
Now, I’m still debating whether to a have surgery done or not. I’m totally confused.
Adenomyosis is a different beast. I know the solution to that could eventually be a hysterectomy to improve the quality of your life. What does your intuition say? Listen to that. It will not lead you astray.
My thoughts on adenomyosis is that it comes from stagnation in your uterus. It you can return the energy flow to this area, you should see improvement. Have you looked into Reiki? Or Acupuncture? Systemic enzymes can be helpful too. I take a blend called Vitalzym: http://amzn.to/2ykIYFh
Also, I have a private Facebook group called Finding Peace with Endo with ladies that support holistic management of endo. You can join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/findingpeacewithendo/
Sending Love.
I’ve read so much about avoiding the op to remove uterus etc. However in my case I have a huge mass attached to my bowel and an enlarged ovary. I have begged to be reconsidered and if there is an alternative. I don’t have periods as had an a park on 2 years ago. Dr says my end is acute and at stage 4. It’s the o my way to eradicate it. Everyone is telling me I will feel like a new person but I’m terrified. I’m 43 had my 3 gorgeous children so I’m not bothered ‘re children now and partner has 3 kids too and has had a vascetomy. But I can’t go on with the pain..months off of a demanding job…ive tried diets…the bug flare ups happen when they feel like it. In between I feel ok. But each time I have to call an ambulance and have morphine and a huge amount of intravenous antibiotics to get it under control again. I’d be interested to know if this is also what happens to them. I read about pain and going to bed with a hot water bottle…but god I wish it was that simple. A hysterectomy I’ve been told will relieve this terrible condition??? If it doesn’t I’m going to have to ‘re think my life..my job. Because I cannot live with this pain any longer..the depression…the body aches the knee shoulder and head aches. Not being able to do anything with my children..make love to my partner! I’m so fed up.
Hi Charlotte. There’s no guarantee that a hysterectomy will help. It sounds like a lot of the issues you mentioned are in other parts of your body. I’d seek out a true endometriosis specialist that does excision before you make your final decision, and as I continue to recommend to other ladies… trust your intuition. It will not lead you astray.