Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome And Hysterectomy: Things You Need To Know
As a medical condition, polycystic ovarian syndrome and hysterectomy primarily involves excessive amounts of the male hormones androgens in a women’s body. It comes with a host of chronic symptoms that makes living with it a total nightmare for any woman.
There is a lot of confusion in the medical circle regarding PCOS and a suitable treatment line regarding it. Some gynecologists recommend a hysterectomy as its possible cure. A simple surgery comes with a lot of pros and cons. Let’s find out if this is the right line of treatment you should be opting for.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Hysterectomy
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What is Hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is a radical surgery that involves the removal of the uterus. It may or may not involve removal of the ovaries and cervix. The surgery results in the elimination of organs and their function.
A partial hysterectomy involves removing only the upper part of the uterus while the cervix is left intact. Infertility is the direct consequence of hysterectomy.
Is hysterectomy a treatment for PCOS?
Many gynecologists believe the surgery to be a cure. They vouch for an absence of polycystic ovarian syndrome after total hysterectomy. They think that since the surgery get rids of the cysts in the ovaries, it can potentially cure PCOS.
If you plan on raising a family in the near future, hysterectomy is not considered a viable alternative.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Hysterectomy – Should You Go Ahead with It?
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Having this surgery will put an end to your periods instantly. A partial hysterectomy will result in women experience decreased hormone levels. They will reach their menopause a lot before its usual onset. On the other hand, women with total hysterectomy, apart from experiencing instant menopause, will also face heavy losses of the vital hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Pregnancy thereby, will never happen for women opting for this surgery.
The removal of the uterus and ovaries comes with other side-effects also. Estrogen is a hormone that regulates the metabolic activities of your body. The ovaries produce estrogen, and when they get removed, its levels decrease drastically. Disorders like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity become common. Women can also experience complications during intercourse as well. They may not find it satisfying like before.
Polycystic Ovarian Symptoms After Hysterectomy
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Women often wonder about the possibility of polycystic ovarian syndrome and hysterectomy. According to recent studies, ovaries are not the root cause of PCOS. PCOS is characterized by changes in the adrenal gland also. Hence, by only removing the ovaries, all the problems associated with PCOS cannot be cured.
Some of the symptoms women experience after hysterectomy are:
Low levels of orgasm
Frequent mood swings
Dryness in vagina
Hot flashes
Sleeplessness or insomnia
Hysterectomy Shouldn’t Be a PCOS Cure – Here’s Why
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No changes in androgen production
Presence of metabolic disorders
Loss of hormone-induced protection
1. No Changes in Androgen Production
The effects of elevated androgens will not cease to be experienced by a woman after surgery. The adrenal gland also produces testosterone. After the surgery, the glands come under severe stress to produce more of it. All this means that symptoms like excess facial hair growth, acne will not abate.
2. Presence of Metabolic Disorders
If women with PCOS don’t manage their insulin levels after surgery, they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other heart diseases. Since estrogen regulates metabolic processes, its loss can significantly accelerate these problems.
3. Loss of Hormone-Induced Protection
The hormonal deficiency caused due to hysterectomy is sudden and very intense. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone make the immune system effective against severe health conditions. In their absence, women become highly vulnerable to developing those diseases which could earlier be protected by her immune levels.
Thus, we see that there is no guarantee that polycystic ovarian syndrome after hysterectomy will result in any significant improvement in the various symptoms of PCOS faced by its sufferers. It can, in fact, negatively impact the health of women. This surgery should only be considered an alternative if you suffer from ailments like advanced endometriosis, fibroids development, or cancerous cells’ development.
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