Effect of Hysterectomy on Ovarian Function
Hysterectomy is one of the most common gynecologic surgeries performed for both benign and malignant conditions. Approximately 600,000 women in the United States get hysterectomies each year per the Cleveland Clinic. This surgery can be life-changing for many women, providing relief from debilitating symptoms or addressing more serious health concerns like cancer.
Different Types of Hysterectomy:
Subtotal or Partial Hysterectomy
Only the upper part of the uterus is removed, leaving the cervix in place.
Total Hysterectomy
The entire uterus and cervix are removed. This is the most common type.
Radical Hysterectomy
Often performed in cancer cases, this procedure removes the uterus, cervix, part of the vagina, and nearby tissues.
Hysterectomy with Oophorectomy
In addition to the uterus, one or both ovaries are removed.
Reasons to have a Hysterectomy:
Abnormal or heavy vaginal bleeding
Severe pelvic pain
Uterine fibroids
Severe endometriosis
Uterine prolapse
Cancer
Hyperplasia or adenomyosis
Serious complications of childbirth such as uterine rupture.
Many premenopausal women are hesitant to have the surgery due to probable decreased ovarian function and now research is showing that this can be the case. According to a new study published by the Journal of Ovarian Research, women who have only their uterus removed may experience perimenopausal symptoms 4 years sooner.
How does removing your uterus have an affect on your ovaries?
According to the study, a hysterectomy can interrupt the ovarian branch of the uterine artery and reduce the ovarian blood supply by 50-70% leading to decreased ovarian function.
Why does this matter?
Loss of estrogen can greatly impact bowel, bladder, sexual function, and muscle mass.
Estrogen helps to maintain the elasticity and hydration of tissues in the pelvis and when the levels decline, it can make the tissues more fragile and prone to discomfort. Loss of estrogen also affects the muscles and connective tissues, potentially leading to weakened pelvic support and a decrease in bone density. This may lead to:
Pelvic Pain
Urinary Incontinence
Vaginal dryness
Pain with penetration
Decrease in core strength
This is not a reason for women to forgo a hysterectomy but they need to be counseled and made aware that perimenopausal symptoms may result sooner than expected.
How we can help:
At Women in Motion, our therapists have specializations in Orthopedics, Obstetrics, Pelvic Health, and Sports Performance. We are committed to treating women throughout the lifespan because your health is important through ALL phases. If you are experiencing perimenopausal symptoms, have been through menopause, or are considering undergoing any surgical procedure that may impact your health, our midlife specialists would love to support you!
Huang Y, Wu M, Wu C, et al. Effect of hysterectomy on ovarian function: A systematic review and meta-analysis - journal of ovarian research. BioMed Central. February 9, 2023. Accessed October 30, 2024. https://ovarianresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13048-023-01117-1.
