Home Potato Removal of the uterus and one ovary consequences. Consequences of removing the uterus. General health effects

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Removal of the uterus and one ovary consequences. Consequences of removing the uterus. General health effects

Removal of the uterus is an operation that is performed quite often for women of different ages. Hysterectomy is performed due to fibrosis or uterine fibroids, oncology, endometriosis, infection during childbirth. If a woman has severe bleeding during pregnancy or childbirth, and it cannot be stopped, a hysterectomy is performed in order to save the life of the pregnant woman. Most women are concerned about how much their life will change after the main female organ is removed, what complications can be, and how to prevent them.

Period after surgery

Surgery to remove the uterus is generally quick and uncomplicated. If possible, a woman with various diseases of the uterus is prescribed conservative treatment, and only if it is impossible to implement it or if such therapy is ineffective, an operation is indicated. There are several ways to remove the uterus - cavity, laparoscopic, through the vagina. What type of surgery is best to be carried out is determined by the doctor, taking into account many factors. After the woman's uterus has been removed, the postoperative period begins, during which the patient is in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor.

The entire postoperative period can be divided into two parts: early and late. During the early period, the patient is admitted to the hospital, where she is monitored by medical professionals, tested, and treated with drugs. This period lasts from 3 to 14 days, depending on the method of hysterectomy (after abdominal surgery, a longer recovery period is shown, at least 1 week, after abdominal surgery - about 5 days). The most difficult are the first days after the operation, which require a special regimen and medical supervision.

Rehabilitation and its features:

1. Severe pain. This symptom begins to bother a woman after the organ was removed, and she began to recover after anesthesia. The pain is often very severe, unbearable, localized at the site of the incision and suture and inside the abdominal cavity. Pain relievers are injected to relieve pain.
2. Compression. Before removing the uterus, a woman is put on special compression stockings on her legs, which remain on her after surgery. This is done as a prophylaxis for thrombophlebitis.
3. Restoring activity. Despite the presence of pain, they try to raise the woman after surgery after 24 hours (in the case of abdominal surgery) or a few hours later (after laparoscopy). This must be done in order to restore blood flow and the functioning of the organs of the digestive tract.
4. The diet is indicated for the first few days after surgery. Nutrition during this period is prescribed sparing, which helps the intestines to restore work, and the person - to empty himself on his own, without the use of an enema. During the diet, the use of broths, mashed vegetable soups, yoghurts, weak tea, pure non-carbonated water is shown.
5. After the removal of the uterus, the abdomen may be painful and tender for 1-2 weeks. The sooner the patient begins to lead an active lifestyle (in moderation), the faster all functions will be restored, and the pain will disappear.

As a treatment, after the organ has been removed, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. Therapy is prescribed to prevent possible infection that can occur during surgery. The course of treatment is at least 5 days. Blood thinners are prescribed to prevent blood clots and thrombophlebitis. Infusion therapy is prescribed during the first days after the operation to replenish the blood volume (removal of the uterus is accompanied by significant blood loss - more than 500 ml).

Possible postoperative complications

As with any surgical intervention, the operation to remove the uterus is often accompanied by various complications. The most common complications are:

1. Inflammation of the scar left after cutting and suturing. Inflammation manifests itself in the form of redness, the appearance of purulent exudate, swelling, seam divergence.
2. Painful urination. The cause of this discomfort is traumatic urethritis, which is associated with damage to the mucous membrane of the urethra during surgery.
3. External or internal bleeding.
4. Thromboembolism. This complication happens extremely rarely, is fraught with the development of dangerous diseases and can lead to the death of the patient.
5. Peritonitis, in which the peritoneum and internal organs become inflamed. May cause blood poisoning.
6. Hematoma in the place where the sutures were applied.

Spotting discharge in a woman after a hysterectomy is observed within 2 weeks. This phenomenon is completely normal and occurs because the suture heals inside at the site of the uterus or outside in the vagina. You should be wary if the discharge began to smell bad, their color and consistency changed. This can be caused by suture inflammation or infection, which requires immediate treatment.

If the operation to remove the uterus is carried out urgently, without properly preparing for the procedure, peritonitis may subsequently develop. Symptoms and signs of this dangerous consequence of the operation are the rise in body temperature to high levels, deterioration of the general condition, the appearance of pain syndrome. To eliminate peritonitis, the strongest antibiotic therapy is prescribed, saline solutions are injected. If the condition does not improve, a relaparotomy is performed, in which the organ stump is removed.

Consequences of hysterectomy

It is difficult for a woman to remove the uterus not only physiologically, but also psychologically, because this organ is considered the main feature of a woman. How to overcome this period, recover, regain working capacity and good mood? For help, you can turn to loved ones, a psychologist or psychotherapist, who will support and explain that there is life after such an operation, and it is often even more joyful than before the surgery.

The uterus is an organ that a woman needs to reproduce. Since the operation is performed most often after 40 years, when a woman has time to realize herself as a mother, she does not have much need for this organ. If a woman is young and does not have children, during the operation they try to preserve the ovaries, thanks to which she can become a mother in the future with the help of in vitro fertilization or surrogacy. There are widespread myths that after the uterus has been removed, hair begins to grow intensively in the facial area, libido decreases, body weight increases, voice tone changes, etc.

In fact, endocrine organs, to which the uterus does not belong, are responsible for hair growth and many other functions. If, after the surgery, the ovaries are preserved, then hormones will be produced in full, and no external undesirable signs will appear. If there are no appendages, then a course of hormonal therapy (if necessary) will be prescribed, which will help eliminate hormonal imbalance.

Changes in the body

As for sex and the ability to have pleasure during it, this ability remains, since the external genitals are responsible for this. One of the functions of the ovaries is to produce hormones that are responsible for sex drive. If these two appendages persist, the woman may experience sexual desire and attraction. Sometimes a woman after the operation is tormented by pain during intercourse, which is easily eliminated by choosing the desired positions or after time has passed.

After an operation to remove the uterus, a woman's periods disappear, since the endometrium is removed along with the organ.

First, after the operation to remove the uterus, the woman is monitored in stationary conditions, and if everything goes well, she is allowed to go home and give small recommendations.

They will help a woman recover faster and improve her health. The implementation of these recommendations will prevent possible complications:

1. Wearing a bandage. A corset helps a woman to maintain weakened abdominal muscles, especially if she has had many pregnancies and childbirth before, and also if the patient is over 40 years old. The width of the band should be sufficient to close the postoperative scar by 10 mm.
2. Physical activity. Exercise, including sexual activity, is prohibited for 1.5 months after hysterectomy so that the suture does not come apart and internal bleeding does not start.
3. Strengthen the vaginal and pelvic muscles with Kegel exercises. They will help prevent prolapse of the vaginal walls, prolapse of the uterine stump in the future. Menopause is often accompanied by the occurrence of urinary incontinence, so such exercises are recommended to prevent such an unpleasant consequence.
4. If the weight grows after the operation (the main reason is unhealthy diet), it is necessary to go on a diet. Meals should be dietary, divided into several meals, while the rule should be followed daily - you should eat often, but little by little, in order to prevent constipation and intestinal problems. Food should be rich in vitamins, proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
5. Tampons or pads. Protecting linen from the discharge that appears after the operation is possible only with sanitary napkins. It is forbidden to use tampons in the first month.

Women work after surgery for 30-50 days (depending on the state of health and the presence of complications). The patient is not given disability after such an intervention, since this does not affect the woman's ability to work. The only exceptions are those cases when radiation or chemical therapy was used during the operation, and this significantly affected the patient's health.

The operation is often fraught with the onset of early menopause. Symptoms in this case will be typical of normal menopause. They manifest themselves in the form of hot flashes, increased sweating, emotional instability, depression, stress urinary incontinence, etc. If the ovaries persist during the operation, then menopause occurs within the prescribed period (after 45-55 years).

If the surgical menopause is difficult, the woman is prescribed hormonal therapy. It is selected individually by the doctor and in most cases completely solves the problem. Contraindication to it is the presence of oncology of the mammary glands, uterus, the presence of meningioma, etc.

After the removal of the uterus, life does not lose its meaning. A woman does not need to worry about contraception, she will never have oncology of the genital organ, endometriosis, etc. With the correct and regular implementation of all recommendations, the recovery period passes quickly and without complications. Surgery does not affect life expectancy.

An operative manual for the removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) is a forced measure when there are no other ways to preserve the health, and, sometimes, the life of the patient. Despite this, the majority of the fair sex perceives this surgical aid as a deprivation of something important. One might even say disability. And they are frightened not by the operation itself and the possible risks associated with it, but by the consequences of organ deprivation.

At the same time, given the functional purpose of the uterus, there is a very big difference in the attitude to hysterectomy of women who already have children and more pregnancies were not planned and those who were still going to become a mother. With regard to the latter, it is especially difficult for them to perceive the need to be removed in an emergency.

There is no doubt that any intervention of a surgical nature, especially aimed at removing an organ and involving significant changes in the body and in the patient's life, is more comfortable to perform in a planned manner. There is an opportunity to prepare for the patient, physically and mentally, and for the attending physicians and relatives. But, sometimes situations arise that threaten the life of a woman and there is no other way out.

For whatever reasons, in whatever situation it is necessary to remove the uterus (one of the reasons for removing the uterus is). For each woman, a number of questions arise regarding her postoperative state, and these questions relate only to a little well-being in the postoperative ward. Basically, they are associated with further life, which for many is divided by the border "before" and "after".

In some cases, this judgment is quite fair. Changes in the state in the body, at the physical and psychological level, depend on how radically and in what way the uterus was removed. Based on the clinical situation, the course of the disease and a number of other factors, the following is performed:

subtotal hysterectomy (only the body of the uterus is removed, without its cervix and other internal organs of the female reproductive system);
supravaginal extirpation (remove the entire uterus and its cervix, the rest of the organs are preserved);
panhysterectomy (remove the entire uterus and its cervix, together with the ovaries and tubes);
radical hysterectomy (remove the entire uterus and its cervix, together with a third of the vagina, appendages, nearby lymph nodes and the pelvic tissue surrounding these organs).

Surgical guidance can be performed by transvaginal access, laparoscopic, their combination, and direct - through an incision on the anterior abdominal wall.

Any operative aid, even if its name contains the word "radical", is carried out with the maximum possible preservation of organs and tissues. This is done, first of all, to maximize the preservation of the anatomical position (topography) of the internal organs and the functions assigned to them.

Not so long ago, in the practice of surgical gynecology, the removal of only the body of the uterus, without its cervix, was practically not used. It was believed that the risks of various diseases, including tumor growth on the left cervix, outweigh the benefits of organ-preserving surgery. Improving the quality of medical care, the development of methods for diagnosing almost all diseases of the uterine cervix at the earliest stages, the introduction of ultra-modern methods of their prevention, made it possible to resort to this method of hysterectomy much more often.

Leaving the cervix also allows the supporting ligaments of the vagina to remain unaffected. This helps to preserve the topography of the internal organs of the female pelvis and prevents prolapse and prolapse of the vagina, the development of disorders of urinary excretion (incontinence and other urodynamic disorders). Women who have retained the cervix should be constantly monitored by a gynecologist.

Subtotal removal and supravaginal extirpation preserve the uterine appendages. To a greater extent, attention is paid to the ovaries in women of reproductive age. The reason for this is the preservation of its own physiological cycle of hormonal regulation in order to prevent endocrine disorders.

Early menopause

Pangysterectomy and radical removal leave the woman without the production of her own sex hormones. Moreover, if such operations are performed in patients before the onset of age-related menopause, then a sharp cessation of hormonal regulation leads to pronounced manifestations. All of them are attacking rapidly and with high intensity.

There is some regularity that the younger the patient, whose appendages have been removed, the more the signs of menopause give her anxiety. This pattern is quite simple to explain. Over the years, there is a gradual inhibition of the production of their own sex hormones, and the closer the age of the natural cessation of fertility, the lower the estrogen level. But slowly, and the body gets used to such a change. Moreover, so much so that in some women, menopause has practically no effect on well-being or comes with no symptoms at all.

In those who are at the age of active fertility, when the production of their own hormones is at the maximum level and with a clear cycle, artificial menopause will manifest itself most strongly.

In order to prevent these unpleasant consequences, in the case of ovarian resection, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed. It is calculated based on the indicators of the natural content of estrogen, according to the age of the patient and her other physiological parameters.

Sex hormone preparations are strictly prohibited for women who have undergone a hysterectomy due to cancer. In this situation, phytopreparations will be the only auxiliary means.

It should be noted that during organ-preserving operations, when even both ovaries are left, the onset of menopause occurs within a very short time. This period depends on the age of the patient, her physiological and functional parameters. This period can last up to five years.

The reason is the lack of feedback in the body to the cyclical production of estrogen. All regulation of processes (both nervous and humoral) depends on the response of tissues and organs to which it is directed. If one of the main conditions for the periodicity of the hormonal background is not fulfilled - the absence of data on the change of mucosal cells in the uterine cavity, the body perceives this as a termination of the function and ceases to act on it.

Loss of possibility of pregnancy

Hysterectomy deprives a woman of further biological motherhood. After the operation, there is no organ for carrying the fetus. Even if the ovaries are preserved, such a patient does not have the opportunity to become a mother in a surrogate way. They do not grow eggs for collection. The situation is partly facilitated by the fact that a removed uterus is an extremely rare fate for young and childless women.

Changes in bones, joints and blood vessels

Impaired absorption of calcium and phosphorus in bones, which leads to the development of osteoporotic manifestations, is prevented by the same replacement therapy. It also prevents changes in cartilage tissue (ligaments, joint capsules), and lipid metabolism errors. Plaque deposition in the lumen of the arteries (atherosclerosis) does not develop as a result of this action.

Far-fetched and real concerns

Fears about the operation itself, and its consequences, excite the minds of almost all patients sent to remove organ / s. Moreover, the intervention itself and the risks associated with it do not bother them as much as the constantly arising question: "What will happen to me later?"

There are two real facts that hysterectomy leads to:

1 Loss of the possibility of biological motherhood.

2 The inevitability of artificial menopause. But, since the female way of thinking is prone to exaggeration and acceptance of their own conclusions, based, as a rule, on indirect assumptions, both of these facts are transformed into the development of a female inferiority complex.

The overwhelming majority of patients, in the early posthysterectomy period, define their condition as "devoid of femininity." Undoubtedly, internally they suffered irreparable losses, and this is reflected in self-awareness. Moreover, one should not neglect the fact of termination of the regulation of the emotional state by sex hormones in the case of radical operations.

This judgment is supported by the physical components of the early postoperative period: weakness, pain, bleeding, fever, gastrointestinal and urinary tract disorders. Adding to this the inability to fully take care of their own appearance leads a woman to a feeling of depression, bordering on the development of depression.

In this period, it is important to understand that internal changes will have very little effect on the usual way of life in the future. After the end of the recovery, which is directly related to the surgical intervention, it is possible and necessary to lead an absolutely complete, in all respects, lifestyle.

Possible changes in appearance

All women's changes associated with the lack or lack of hormones of the genital area, sooner or later, will begin to occur. And no one is able to stop this process. As for the situations that arise after a hysterectomy, an important aspect here is the preservation of one's own hormonal activity or a properly selected replacement therapy.

The fair sex, by virtue of the need to have lost only the uterus, should regularly monitor the level of their hormones. For those who have no appendages left, there should be no exceptions to this rule at all. In this case, all the external signs associated with menopause will not precede the individual biological rhythm.

Moreover, the vast majority of women, in whom hormone replacement is adequate, notice, on the contrary, an improvement in their appearance. And this is expressed not only in the preservation of the structure of the skin, hair, nails, etc.

For probable weight gain, even with replacement therapy, there are all the same predispositions that are available in "healthy" people. Hereditary factor, nutritional errors, decreased physical activity, metabolic disorders and a number of others. Resuming activity after the healing period after surgery, controlling the diet and abstaining from gastronomic stress management will create favorable conditions for the required kilograms.

And don't forget about expressing your emotions. The sunken silhouette, the absence of a smile and the “extinguished” look do not look attractive at all.

Sexual recovery options

sexual relations after removal of the uterus

The completed postoperative recovery period, which takes about one and a half to two months (depending on the volume of intervention), ceases to be the only physical reason for the absence of sexual relations. But, permission for them must be obtained from the attending gynecologist. Only after making sure that the posterior wall of the vagina is completely healed, penetration can be allowed.

Most of the operated women experience psychological discomfort during the restoration of sexual activity, even with a regular partner. This is due to thoughts about changes inside the vagina that he can feel. A man can suspect any changes if part of the vagina was removed during the intervention. All benefits with preserving the cervix do not affect men's sensations.

Almost like the first time

The resumption of sexual relations should take place in conditions of maximum psychological and physical comfort. In part, this can be compared with the first experience, except that the existing own knowledge will help to minimize possible difficulties.

Lack of moisture in the vaginal mucosa is likely for emotional and / or hormonal reasons. In the case of pronounced psychological stress, lengthening the foreplay and additional stimulation of the erogenous zones will help. The estrogenic cause of dryness is eliminated by correcting replacement therapy (or phytopreparations). In both cases, the use of additional lubricant is permissible.

Unpleasant or painful sensations from penetration are easier to prevent if the woman herself controls the depth of the insertion. This is achieved by using the "rider" position with the woman on top. The same can be used to control not only the depth, but also the frequency of frictions.

Over time, the psychological impediment to intercourse will disappear. As a rule, the production of vaginal mucus is also normalized. Sexual life is fully restored. At the same time, do not forget that although pregnancy is now impossible, the diseases that are transmitted during sex are as likely as before. Therefore, barrier protection (condom use) should not be neglected, especially if there is no permanent partner.

Sexual attraction and satisfaction

Sexual attraction in women, as well as in men, is due to the action of androgens. Testosterone in the female body is produced mainly in the ovaries. And only a part in the adrenal glands. When the appendages are removed, a slight decrease in attraction and excitability is possible in the early recovery period. However, rather quickly, the testosterone deficiency is compensated for. If this does not happen, the appointment of this hormone in addition to estrogen is permissible.

It should be noted that, in some cases when estrogen is prohibited, this prohibition does not apply to testosterone. But, any administration of hormones should take place exclusively with the appointment of the attending gynecologist and under constant monitoring of their level.

It was statistically revealed that hysterectomy in 75% of women did not change sexual desire, increased (while taking hormones) - in 20%, and only 5% noted a persistent decrease.

Satisfaction with sexual intercourse was statistically distributed in about the same way. Although, many of the operated patients noted that the sensations became richer. This is largely due to the fact that they ceased to be bothered by pain, bleeding and other signs of an existing disease or preceding menstruation. Most shared the observation that the absence of thoughts about a possible unwanted pregnancy allowed them to be more relaxed.

Those women who had orgasms stopped altogether or had difficulty in achieving them, said that they could achieve pleasure only with maximum penetration of the penis. In other words, as a result of cervical stimulation.

What to think, who to listen to, who to talk to

Removal of the patient's organs of her internal feminine identity, few of them are perceived as a due necessity. Therefore, when receiving a referral for a hysterectomy, it should be borne in mind that the doctor has already found other options. And this is the only way to stay in life and in relative health. For greater conviction in the correctness of the medical prescription, you can undergo an examination and get an opinion in another clinic.

For the fastest and most complete recovery after surgery, it is necessary to prepare for it not only clinically (undergo examinations and tests) and physically, but also psychologically. You should tune in to the exclusivity of the situation, which is no other way. And that after the operation, life will continue the same way as before. And the state of health will be much better.

The main thing in a psychological positive attitude is to completely trust the attending physician. After all, he is, in fact, the only one who knows everything about this disease and the operation. And that strict implementation of all appointments and recommendations in the postoperative period will help to recover quickly and as much as possible.

The support of family and friends is also important. But, psychologists recommend sharing about what exactly was in the hospital only with those who have the highest degree of trust.

Read all about diseases and treatments of the uterus.

WHO SAID IT IS HARD TO CURE INFERTILITY?

How long have you wanted to conceive a child?
Many ways have been tried, but nothing helps ...
They diagnosed a thin endometrium ...
In addition, the recommended medicines for some reason are not effective in your case ...
And now you are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that will give you a long-awaited baby!

Any woman experiences a psychological shock upon hearing from a doctor that she will have to remove the uterus - the consequences of this operation scare her. You can often hear the opinion that after the removal of the uterus, a woman ceases to be a full-fledged woman. She ceases to enjoy sex life, and her body begins to age rapidly, resulting in many diseases. But in fact, this is all a common myth. Believe that a happy and normal life is possible without a uterus.

Consequences of removal of the uterus: early postoperative period

The rehabilitation period after hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) lasts about a month and a half, of course, provided that the operation took place without any complications. According to reviews, the consequences of removing the uterus in the first few days after surgery are:

Pain in the area of the postoperative wound. They usually last for 1 to 2 days and are well controlled by injections of conventional painkillers (baralgin, analgin, ketanal).
Bleeding. Normally, the postoperative wound should not bleed. But spotting from the vagina in a small amount can continue for a month after surgery. But if you have severe bleeding or its intensity increases over time, then you should urgently consult your doctor.

You should also immediately consult with the surgeon if any of the following symptoms appear:

Increased body temperature;
Swelling and redness of the skin in the lower extremities;
A sudden sharp loss of strength or an attack of severe general weakness;
Acute urinary retention.

After hysterectomy, the postoperative period is much easier in those women who went to the operation with the correct psychological attitude, and also followed all the instructions of the attending physician.

Removal of the uterus: implications for sexual activity

During the first two months after surgery, a woman should completely abstain from sexual intercourse. In the future, there are absolutely no obstacles to this. After hysterectomy, women retain all sensitive nerve endings located both on the external genitalia and in the vagina. Therefore, they can, as before, experience an orgasm and enjoy sexual pleasure.

Problems in sexual activity after removal of the uterus mainly occur only in women with a labile psyche. They are so afraid of the consequences of removing the uterus with fibroids or some other disease that they are unable to think about anything else. And as a result of this, they cannot achieve the sexual arousal necessary for orgasm. So their problems are psychological rather than physical. In this case, seeking help from a competent psychologist helps. But you yourself must understand that the operation has not fundamentally changed anything in your life, except for one thing - the possibility of having children.

Scientists in the UK have conducted a survey of women who have undergone hysterectomy. According to their reviews, many of them simply did not feel the consequences of removing the uterus. Their life went on as usual. 94% of the operated women emphasized that they were wrongly afraid of the upcoming operation and the possible negative consequences associated with it.

Removal of the uterus with fibroids: consequences

Many women are so scared by the myths about the danger of removing the uterus that they prefer to continue living with myoma, refusing to undergo surgical treatment. Yes, indeed, in some cases of fibroids, conservative therapy may be successful. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Refusing an operation, a woman risks not only her health, but her life as well.

As we already wrote above, the removal of the uterus with fibroids does not bear any negative consequences. But the operation relieves the woman from frequent and profuse uterine bleeding, to stop which sometimes it is necessary to resort to an operation to scrap the uterine cavity. The iron deficiency anemia that develops as a result of blood loss requires serious and long-term treatment, and sometimes blood transfusion (blood transfusion). In addition, there is always a fairly high risk of malignant degeneration of fibroids with the development of cancer of the uterine body. So the consequences of removing the uterus with fibroids for a woman's life are only positive.

Removal of the uterus and ovaries: consequences

In some diseases, gynecologists are forced to resort to removing not only the uterus, but also the ovaries. Such operations inflict a fairly strong blow on a woman's body.

The ovaries produce female sex hormones. When they are removed, artificial menopause and menopause occur. To prevent this, a woman is usually prescribed hormone replacement therapy with synthetic analogues of estrogen and progesterone, which must be carried out for a long time.

The negative consequences of removing the uterus and ovaries are most often:

Sex drive disorders;
Increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease;
Depression;
Increased fatigue;
Decrease in bone mineral density up to the development of osteoporosis and associated pathological fractures.

But operations to remove the uterus and ovaries are often the only hope for many women for a long and happy life, for example, with cancer of the uterus and / or ovaries. And the development of negative consequences after them allows you to prevent timely prescribed and correctly selected hormone replacement therapy.

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Removal of the uterus and ovaries is a serious challenge for every woman, meaning that reproductive function will no longer be fulfilled. Just like that, no one will remove healthy organs, but if there are indications for removal, and a threat to the patient's life, then the operations are carried out without hesitation. But in most cases, the decision to remove the uterus or ovaries is made by the woman herself.

The location of the ovaries and uterus in relation to other reproductive organs

Surgery to remove organs of the reproductive system. Consequences for the body

Women who are shown an operation to remove the uterus and ovaries are interested in the issue of further social adaptation. It should be understood that the removal of the main organs of the reproductive system significantly affects the level of sex hormones, which play a large role in the physiological processes of the body.

Most women will experience severe discomfort in the postoperative period, as they enter a period of artificial menopause, but hormone replacement therapy can help avoid health problems.

Procedure to remove the uterus. Indications and consequences

Surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) may be indicated in the following cases:

Degeneration of the tissues of the uterine cavity and its cervix into malignant ones. Cancer neoplasms.
The proliferation of endometrial cells behind the uterine cavity and disruption of the work of neighboring organs. Prolonged bleeding caused by endometriosis.
Benign neoplasms. Myomas are submucous and subserous.
Pronounced prolapse of the organs of the reproductive system. Prolapse of the uterus.
Pain syndrome against the background of pathology.

Removing the uterus is stressful for a woman, but improving the condition of the body after surgery helps to cope with stress. If a woman before the operation was bothered by bleeding and acute pain syndrome, then removal helps to solve these problems. Surgery to remove organs of the reproductive system means that a woman will no longer be able to give birth, and the internal position of the pelvic organs will change.

Surgery to remove the uterus is common and safe, but complications are possible after it:

Urinary incontinence. Incontinence can be caused by a weakening of the sphincters of the bladder, as a result of the onset of surgical menopause and disturbances in the production of estrogen.
Vaginal prolapse.
The appearance of chronic pain.

Scars after surgery to remove the uterus: 1) the traditional method; 2) laparoscopic hystectomy

Removal of the ovaries and consequences

In addition to partial removal of the organs of the reproductive system, a woman can be shown a complete hysterectomy with the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, the uterine cavity, and the cervix.

Operations to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) are not performed as often and have a negative effect on the woman's body. During oophorectomy, the level of production of sex hormones decreases, which leads to the onset of surgical "artificial" menopause and general changes in the woman's body, the symptoms of which can develop into serious diseases. Sex hormones do not stop being produced at all, but are synthesized by the adrenal glands and other organs, but to a lesser extent.

The consequences may depend on the age of the patient, but the general symptom is one - the inability to continue reproductive function and the risk of complications.

Diagram of a laparoscopic ovarian removal operation: laparoscope, uterus, fallopian tube and ovary

The onset of menopause after removal of the uterus and ovaries. Early and late symptoms

Most women expect to receive relief after surgery, but the onset of a surgical menopause brings only negative symptoms that can be complicated by the development of chronic diseases.

Artificial menopause is manifested by symptoms of the end of the menstrual cycle as a result of oophorectomy or hysterectomy. Removal of the uterus leads to the complete end of the hormonal work of the ovaries, since during the operation, the doctor carries out embolization of the uterine arteries that feed the appendages. The artificial suppression of ovarian function leads to the onset of surgical menopause.

When menopause occurs in a woman's body, the level of sex hormones drops gradually, menopause syndromes in a woman's body increase slowly. And with surgical menopause, the drop in estrogen levels occurs the next day after the operation. The woman's body is not prepared for this, and begins to suffer from a deficiency of sex hormones - this is called postovariectomy syndrome.

These symptoms are similar to the onset of menopause in a natural way, but differ from them in significant severity.

The body suffers from neurovegetative and psychoemotional disorders, which are later joined by problems with metabolic and endocrine processes.

Surgical menopause brings severe psychoemotional conditions

Early symptoms of artificial menopause

The early symptoms of artificial menopause are associated with psychovegetative disorders and a lack of estrogen. The early symptoms of menopause appear on the second day after bilateral removal of the ovaries and uterus. Their severity depends on the state of the woman's body and previous diseases. But in most women, menopause after removal of the uterus is difficult to tolerate.

Tides

The appearance of hot flashes in a woman's body is a clear sign of the onset of menopause. But hot flashes can accompany not only the natural onset of menopause, but also the surgical menopause. Surgical menopause develops in the body instantly, after the operation, which means that its symptoms appear faster and more intensely.

Hot flashes with artificial menopause appear on the second or third day after the end of the operation, and manifest themselves:

A sharp rise in temperature in the upper body, chills, heavy sweating.
Increased blood pressure, redness of the skin of the face and neck.
The frequency of occurrence is from 30 to 50 times per day.
Night sweats.
The duration of the onset of symptoms is from 3 to 5 years.

Hot flashes are the most specific of the symptoms of the onset of artificial menopause, which significantly affects the psychoemotional and general condition of a woman. Between hot flashes and during, a woman feels constant discomfort associated with increased sweating.

Hot flashes are accompanied by increased sweating

Vegetative disorders

Insufficient production of estrogen and androgen hormones is accompanied by disorders of the autonomic system. The patient after surgery within 1-2 weeks notices the appearance of:

Headaches. The increase in pain syndrome can provoke the appearance of a migraine.
Dizziness.
Increased heart rate and attacks of paresthesia.
General weakness and decreased level of performance.
Increased fatigue.

These symptoms appear in 60% of patients and continue until the end of artificial menopause.

Psychoemotional disorders

The loss of organs of the reproductive system and the entry into an artificial menopause is the most severe stress for a woman, which manifests itself:

Emotional lability. Tearfulness and irritability.
The appearance of fears and obsessive feelings of anxiety.
The appearance of depression against the background of the inability to give birth and the loss of organs.
Sleep disturbance. Constant stress and hot flashes make it difficult to fall asleep, the woman develops persistent depression.
Decreased libido.

For women of reproductive age, surgery is a severe stress, against the background of which a woman begins to feel uncertainty about the future, and it is difficult to return to the usual course of life.

Increased irritability develops against the background of surgical menopause.

Mucosal changes

A lack of estrogen production (the main sex hormone responsible for the youthfulness of the skin and the normal state of the mucous membranes of the internal organs of the reproductive system) leads to drying out and thinning of the mucous layer of the vagina. Against the background of these changes, the woman develops itching in the vagina. This leads to painful sensations and dryness of the vaginal walls during intercourse. Such changes entail problems between sexual partners and subsequent depression.

Cognitive depression

The production of the sex hormone estrogen affects not only the part of the brain that is responsible for overheating the body, but also affects the part that is responsible for cognitive function.

Against the background of the removal of organs of the reproductive system, the patient may develop symptoms:

Decreased ability to perceive information.
It's hard to remember new data.

All these symptoms are aggravated by psychoemotional changes during artificial menopause.

Memory impairments accompany artificial menopause

Late symptoms of artificial menopause

Symptoms that appear several months or several years after the operation are called late symptoms of artificial menopause. Most often, these symptoms include endocrine system disorders, cardiovascular complications and joint problems.

Symptoms of the late onset of artificial menopause are accompanied by disturbances in the metabolic process in the woman's body.

Signs of aging

Menopause is the period of the onset of natural aging of the body and the introduction in the body of a woman into artificial menopause, accompanied by these signs. Estrogen is responsible for the youthfulness of the skin by provoking the production of collagen and elastin in the right amount. When the uterus and ovaries are removed, estrogen production is significantly reduced, which cannot but affect the woman's skin and hair. After the operation, the patient observes the appearance of wrinkles, a decrease in skin elasticity, the appearance of dry and thinning hair and brittle nails, a decrease in tissue turgor, and itching in the vagina.

Skin aging is due to estrogen deficiency

Urological problems

Insufficient production of estrogen leads not only to a deterioration in the elasticity of the skin and dryness of the mucous membranes, but also to disorders in the organs of the urinary tract. The epithelium of the bladder wall becomes thin, and the sphincters leading from the bladder to the canal lose their strength. These changes can lead to painful urination, urinary incontinence, and frequent urge to urinate. All this negatively affects the psycho-emotional state of a woman, leading to depression and a decrease in the level of libido.

Complications of the cardiovascular system

Removal of the ovaries leads to a decrease in the production of estrogen in the body, which is responsible for the cardioprotective properties of the body. The risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, arterial hypertension, sudden stroke, or heart attack increases.

Osteoporosis

Menopausal changes in the body lead to the development of osteoporosis. Changes in bone tissue lead to a decrease in the density of the structure, which can lead to fragility of bones. Women who have undergone such surgeries are advised to regularly check for signs of bone loss in order to avoid complex fractures.

In terms of the volume of gynecological operations performed, extirpation of the uterus ranks second after cesarean section. Surgical intervention is used in the case of ineffective conservative therapy: embolization of the uterine arteries and treatment with hormones. A radical method of treatment indicates a serious pathology that can threaten the patient's life. If a woman doubts the correctness of the decision made, she can consult with different specialists. They will tell you in what cases the uterus is removed 100%, when attempts to preserve the reproductive organ are pointless.

The indications for hysterectomy are the following:

uterine fibroids when its size exceeds 12 weeks of pregnancy;
fibroids;
prolapse of the uterus;
chorionepithelioma;
rapid growth of myomatous nodes;
malignant polyp;
carcinoma;
necrosis of the myomatous node;
rapid tumor growth;
adenomyosis;
suspicion of oncology;
persistent uterine bleeding;
relapse after myomectomy;
persistent pain in the uterus;
menorrhagia;
cervical cancer;
lack of a positive result after scraping;
endometriosis, combined with ovarian tumor.

How the surgical intervention will be performed is decided by the doctor, after examining the patient's anamnesis data.

Surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries

Removal of the uterus or hysterectomy- one of the most common operations in gynecology. This procedure causes a lot of fears and doubts. Even the specialists themselves, despite decades of practice, cannot come to a common opinion. For reference, accurate statistics show that exactly half of American male gynecologists remove the uterus of their wives when they are 50 years old, thereby lowering their risk of developing tumors. It is also known that another part of doctors resorts to this radical measure only when all possible methods of treatment have already been used.

The main indicators for hysterectomy are various neoplasms, prolapse of the uterus, endometriosis, frequent bleeding.

And so, if you still have this surgical procedure, then you should know in advance about all the risks and consequences. Depending on the scale of the planned operation, there are several types of it, the most difficult of which is the complete excision of the uterus, lymph nodes, the upper third of the vagina and the surrounding pelvic tissue.

Types of hysterectomy

Hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy is easier to tolerate, in which case the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes (appendages) are removed.

Extirpation

There is also extirpation, in which the body and cervix are excised, and amputation - only the body of the uterus is excised, the cervix is preserved. Until a few years ago, the most common method of surgical intervention was abdominal. A large incision was made on the anterior abdominal wall. This method not only required a long rehabilitation period, but also increased the risk of thromboembolism, could lead to a violation of fat metabolism, during the operation itself, there was a threat of damage to other organs. Unfortunately, some doctors today prefer the abdominal route. If possible, do not under any circumstances agree to operate on such terms.

Vaginal

There is a more gentle and safer method of surgical intervention - vaginal. The rehabilitation period is easy and painless, there is no scar on the abdominal wall, no bowel dysfunctions, low blood loss during the procedure. In addition, you should be aware that after the abdominal method, the percentage of postoperative mortality is high, which is not observed with vaginal surgical interventions. During such an operation, the doctor dissects the tissues of the upper vagina and inserts special instruments there, then the cervical canal is expanded and the uterine manipulator is inserted, which allows the organs to be positioned in a convenient way for further actions.

First, the uterus is separated from the vagina and removed, then the other genitals are removed. The duration of such an operation takes from 1.5 to 3 hours, during which the patient is under general anesthesia. The process becomes more complicated due to the fact that the pelvic organs have a large number of blood vessels, and sometimes, due to the large size of the uterus, it is necessary to fragment and remove it in parts. Subsequent hospital stay does not exceed 4 days. A course of antibiotics is prescribed and it is recommended to refrain from physical activity and sexual activity for an average of one and a half months.

How to live after removal of the uterus and ovaries?

The main question that interests almost all women is the consequences of the operation to remove the uterus. Will this not interfere with the ability to lead a full-fledged social and intimate life. There are some nuances here. It should be understood that with the removal of the main genital organs, the production of hormones is significantly reduced. And knowing what an important role they play in the physiological and mental processes of any woman, it is not difficult to imagine that some problems will nevertheless arise. In the postoperative period, mood swings, often increased fatigue, depression, general malaise, climacteric symptoms, and artificial menopause are observed. Fortunately, all these troubles today can be easily avoided with the help of hormone therapy.

Rehabilitation period

The rehabilitation that women undergo after removing the uterus depends on the type of surgical procedures performed and the characteristics of the body in each case.

If the removal of the uterus occurred laparoscopically, the recovery period is significantly reduced due to low trauma and a minimum of possible complications. In the absence of complications, this period varies within 2-4 weeks. After undergoing anesthesia, a woman may feel nauseous on the first day. Eating is usually allowed 3-4 hours after surgery. You can quench your thirst 1-2 hours after coming out of anesthesia, but you need to drink water in small sips.
Physical activity also depends on the type of manipulation performed. If the uterus was removed through the vagina, in the absence of complications, the doctor allows the doctor to get out of bed on the day of the operation a few hours after coming out of anesthesia. When suturing the anterior abdominal wall, it is allowed to resume physical activity no earlier than 2 days. After an abdominal hysterectomy, the restoration of the reproductive organs occurs within 4-6 weeks, which is twice as long as with a vaginal hysterectomy.
Pain syndrome especially pronounced in the first days after surgery and is associated with wound healing. During the rehabilitation period, the pain gradually subsides if there are no provoking factors: physical activity, injury to the wound surface. Normally, painful sensations are present for 4-6 weeks. Slightly elevated body temperature (37 ° C) for 2 weeks is a natural phenomenon during the healing of the wound surface. At higher rates, consultation of the attending physician is required without fail.
If surgery was preceded by radiation (radio wave) therapy, the recovery of the body takes longer. Radio wave therapy is prescribed so as not to resort to surgery or to significantly reduce its volume. Negative consequences after radiation therapy can appear if healthy cells were massively irradiated. The main unpleasant moments are fatigue and irritation in the seam area. Complications after the transferred radiation therapy can occur both immediately and in the late period. The phenomena of intoxication of the body and irritation of the skin are tolerated by women in different ways. A significant deterioration in the general condition is observed at a young age, after a long course of treatment, which requires immunomodulatory therapy with medications. However, they do not exclude the complete absence of any unpleasant symptoms throughout the entire course of rehabilitation.
Bloody vaginal discharge that are observed after removal of the uterus is normal. They are most intense in the first days after the operation, then their volume decreases. Scanty spotting can be present for 1.5-2 months. The color of vaginal discharge ranges from pink to brown. All this is a variant of the norm, indicating the healing of the wound surface. A scanty brown discharge indicates the end of the recovery period. If, after removing the uterus, after a year there is spotting, this indicates a pathological process in the reproductive system. This fact cannot be ignored. Timely planned consultations with a gynecologist will prevent possible complications: vaginal prolapse, infection of the urethra and bladder, suture suppuration, uterine bleeding, thromboembolism.
Change in hormonal levels after removal of an important organ of the reproductive system, it provokes the appearance of psychoemotional instability in the postoperative period. Rehabilitation is especially difficult for young women who have lost their fertile function. Frequent depression, irritability, insomnia, tearfulness, apathy, or, conversely, aggression are common occurrences that require treatment from a psychotherapist or psychologist. Extirpation of the uterus at a young age increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer, obesity, thyroid and kidney problems.
Removal of the uterus in women after 60 years has less pronounced consequences. Psychological readiness for loss of fertility and the absence of climacteric syndrome during menopause allow them to endure the rehabilitation period more comfortably than at a young age. The main indication for the removal of the uterus in adulthood is oncological processes. In this case, surgery remains the only option to save life.
Balanced diet- a prerequisite after removal of the uterus. Preference should be given to easily digestible food: boiled and stewed vegetable dishes, cereals, fruits, fermented milk products. We should not forget about plant fiber, so as not to disrupt intestinal motility, and about sufficient fluid intake. After removing the uterus, a woman may be bothered by hemorrhoids. Painful sensations caused by pushing force a woman to deliberately reduce the number of trips to the toilet, provoking stagnation of feces. Postoperative hemorrhoids can also occur due to intestinal obstruction due to the formed adhesions.

Postoperative menopause

A sharp change in hormonal levels caused by a lack of estrogen is observed with the simultaneous removal of the uterus and ovaries. In this case, early menopause is an inevitable consequence of hysterovariyectomy.

Postoperative (castration) menopause manifests itself in the form of surges in blood pressure, causing hot flashes, psychoemotional instability, obesity, increased sweating, external changes associated with skin aging, decreased sex drive. Early menopause can occur in the first months after surgery if the ovaries are removed. This is a particularly difficult period for women of childbearing age who have lost their reproductive function. In some cases, you cannot do without the help of qualified specialists. A meaningful attitude towards a new state prevents the onset of depression.
Sex life in women without a uterus practically does not differ from the one that was before the operation. Compliance with the security regime will be required in the first 1.5-2 months in the absence of complications. Sex is still an integral part of life after the removal of the uterus. Resection of the uterus does not affect the orgasm that occurs after irritation of the nerve endings of the vagina and clitoris. Having lost the reproductive organ, a woman completely loses the function of childbearing, so the answer to the question of whether it is necessary to protect herself after removing the uterus is obvious.
To make the postoperative period as comfortable as possible, doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy, which contributes to the smooth transition of the body to a new state. Synthetic analogues of missing hormones and phytoestrogens are considered as symptomatic therapy. The doctor makes the choice in favor of a particular drug on an individual basis, assessing the hormonal background. A contraindication to the appointment of synthetic hormones is the oncological nature of the origin of the disease.

Cystitis after surgery

Surgical manipulations at the time of extirpation of the uterus can disrupt the integrity of the muscle ligaments, provoke their weakness. Cystitis observed after removal of the uterus is not uncommon. Painful sensations, impaired urination are permissible in the first 2 weeks after the operation, and they are associated with scarring of the tissue at the time of healing. If the pain in the lower abdomen persists or intensifies, it is necessary to visit a doctor to find out the cause of the pathology.

Acute inflammatory process accompanied by severe pain in the lower abdomen. The feeling of fullness in the bladder makes you want to use the toilet, but as a result of full urination does not occur. Similar sensations arise again after a few minutes. It is important to diagnose the cause of the pathology at an early stage in order to prevent possible complications and the transition of the inflammatory process to a chronic form.
Postoperative cystitis more often observed in patients who have undergone uterine amputation due to developing fibroids or an oncological process. If the pain syndrome is present for a long time, it is necessary to do a control ultrasound of the pelvic organs, a general urine test and a cystogram, which will tell the doctor the likely cause of the pathology.
Timely diagnosis and adequate therapy will eliminate bladder dysfunction at an early stage. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory therapy, physiotherapy, remedial gymnastics (special exercises according to the Kegel method) and a healthy lifestyle will shorten the period of rehabilitation after surgery.

Choice of a postoperative bandage

The choice of a postoperative bandage should be taken responsibly. Among the large assortment of offered models in the pharmacy network and online stores, it is difficult to make the right choice without having the necessary knowledge.

Postoperative gynecological bandage doctors recommend using it after removal of the uterus in order to reduce pain and ensure reliable protection of the walls of the abdominal cavity and internal organs. Preference should be given to models made from natural materials. Most often, gynecological bandages are made of latex, polyester or elastin. Their special plastic inserts put pressure on the abdominal wall, preventing the natural position of the internal organs from changing.
The presence of a special grid will provide natural ventilation of the wound surface during the use of the bandage. You should not purchase products with gauze mesh, despite the low cost.
Choosing the right size- an equally important condition. For comfortable use of the bandage, its size should be equal to the abdominal circumference plus 2-3 additional centimeters. The width of the product should not be less than 20 cm, so as not to overtighten the intestines and not to provoke the appearance of a postoperative hernia.
With the vaginal method of amputation of the uterus it is preferable to purchase a model in the form of panty to strengthen the muscles of the vagina and prevent the divergence of the seams.
How much do you need to wear a bandage, depends on the course of the rehabilitation period. To ensure maximum protection of tissues and pelvic bones from high stress, the doctor will tell the patient about the features of using the corrective product and determine the required period.

Regular preventive examinations by a gynecologist, timely diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the reproductive organs will prevent possible complications that require urgent measures.