 A
hysterectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures among women.
In fact, one in three women in the United States has had a hysterectomy
by age 60 (1). Conventional doctors typically recommend hysterectomy for
women with cervical or endometrial cancer, uterine fibroids and/or endometriosis.
A total hysterectomy is the removal of both the uterus and cervix. Sometimes
a partial hysterectomy is performed to remove just the uterus. One or both
ovaries and fallopian tubes are often removed at the same time a hysterectomy
is performed (2).
Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) may assume that a hysterectomy
or oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) is an appropriate treatment for
their condition, but it usually is a last resort. The name, Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome, may imply that the syndrome is a result of damaged ovaries.
If you followed this line of thought, then it would seem to make sense
that if a woman had a hysterectomy and her ovaries were removed, then the
syndrome would go away. However, PCOS is much more than just a syndrome
that affects the ovaries. A hysterectomy or an oophorectomy would not cure
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome because the cause of PCOS is related to hormone
and metabolic issues that may not be helped by removing reproductive organs
(3).
 Depending
upon your medical history, a hysterectomy for PCOS may be too risky because
of obesity, heart disease or diabetes. And, if the ovaries are removed,
then one would experience instant menopause (1). It is important to weigh
the possible benefits with the associated risks of a hysterectomy. Risks
may include heavy blood loss, bowel injury, bladder injury, anesthesia
problems (such as breathing or heart problems) and need to change an abdominal
incision during surgery.
PCOS can lead to serious medical conditions
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is associated with a number of serious medical
conditions. Women with PCOS who have absent or irregular periods are at
increased risk for endometrial cancer (4). According to a 2006 study from
the University of California there is increasing evidence that the glandular
and metabolic abnormalities in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome may have complex
effects on the endometrium, including endometrial dysfunction, infertility,
increased miscarriage rate, endometrial hyperplasia (abnormal cell growth)
and endometrial cancer. If left untreated, PCOS can lead to increased risk
of endometrial cancer and removal of the ovaries and uterus (5). Hormonal
treatments can lower this risk (4).
 We
urge you to be proactive and take action now to improve your health and
lessen your risk of serious medical conditions. We stress that the solution
is not to go out and get a hysterectomy to minimize your risk of endometrial
cancer or lessen your PCOS symptoms. A better approach is to start re-balancing
your hormones with diet, exercise, stress management and nutritional supplements
such as the Insulite PCOS System.
You may be interested in some of our Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) on PCOS and the Insulite PCOS System.
(1) Hysterectomy – The
National Women's Health Information Center
(2) Hysterectomy:
Surgery to remove your uterus – MayoClinic.com 2006
(3) Polycystic
Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - Surgery – YahooHealth.com
(4) Polycystic
Ovary Syndrome – Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical
Center 2004
(5) Endometrium
in PCOS: Implantation and predisposition to endocrine CA – Giudice
LC, Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Jun;20(2):235-44
Click
here to read about PCOS and Adolescents
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