Endometriosis: Problems That Occur With It and Why a Hysterectomy Isn't a Cure

When you suffer from endometriosis, your most drastic answer to cure the disease is a hysterectomy. But does a hysterectomy actually cure the illness? What happens to those endometriosis symptoms once you've undergone the hysterectomy procedure?

Endometriosis afflicts 80 million women around the world. Some women have used other alternatives to rid their body of this disease. Yet, many women go the hysterectomy route to deal with the painful problem.

What kind of an impact does a hysterectomy procedure have on the symptoms of endometriosis? First, you need to know what endometriosis is. Endometriosis is a constant condition that occurs because of the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the woman's uterus.

Endometriosis is mainly inside the uterus; yet, they can be found in other parts of the body, the cells attaching themselves to other organs. The most common places to find this illness after a hysterectomy are on the intestines and pelvic organs. In rare cases, they can be found on the lungs or in other locations.

Medical Problems With Endometriosis

There are many medical problems associated with endometriosis. Some are easy to deal with while others are quite painful. What are the severe issues must women endure with endometriosis?

• First, they will have problems with pain when they are on the monthly period.
• Second, they may have pain during sexual intercourse.
• Third, bowel movements can cause pain.

Other medical ailments with that come with endometriosis includes but not limited to:

• Back pain
• Nausea
• Occasional vomiting

Due to each one of these symptoms, it's imperative that women seek treatment for the condition.

Misconception About Endometriosis

Many women believe that the only way to stop their pain and get rid of endometriosis is to have a hysterectomy. This theory stems from the fact that the root of the problem is the abnormal growth of the endometrial tissue. Get rid of the tissue; get rid of the problem, right?

Not necessarily. There are other problems that come with a hysterectomy that you and other women need to be aware of. A hysterectomy will change your life for the rest of your life so you should know what actually happens after the surgery.

After the Hysterectomy Surgery

You could remove the uterus, but it wouldn't stop the pain that is brought on by the disease. As long as you have your ovaries, chances are you will still have endometriosis. The reason: Endometriosis is fueled by estrogen and ovaries produce estrogen, which make the endometrial tissue swell, shed and bleed.

Once you decide to remove your ovaries, you'll throw your body into early menopause. With early menopause, you'll have new ailments to contend with, including:

• Hair loss
• Mood swings
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Joint pains
• Vaginal dryness and atrophy
• Hot flashes
• Nervousness
• Anxiety
• Depression

Remember that a hysterectomy can make a huge impact on your emotional side. After all, you are unable to rear any more children. It's important to consider this and prepare yourself for it.

Keep in mind that the endometrial tissue can be found anywhere in your pelvic region, so removing your uterus and/or ovaries and replacing it with a hormone treatment will do little for your problem. Artificial estrogen can still aggravate endometriosis cells so that the disease flares up again.

Any woman going through menopause is at risk for certain health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and osteoporosis. This should be carefully thought about before proceeding with the hysterectomy. Even after menopause begins, your body will produce estrogen. That means your endometriosis symptoms can reoccur.

With all the possibilities of the endometriosis returning, it's imperative that a woman contemplates all her options, good and bad, and decide from that information whether having a hysterectomy is the best thing for her.