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Removing the uterus can be one of the biggest traumas in a woman’s life, especially for those who have not yet become mothers and have this dream. This withdrawal procedure is called hysterectomy surgery and is indicated by several factors and health complications such as cervical cancer .
The surgery to remove the uterus is performed by a gynecologist, and it is a procedure currently used not only due to the presence of cancer, but as a method of disease prevention . Even performed by some television stars, as was the case with Angelina Jolie who, after undergoing breast removal to prevent breast cancer , decided to also remove the uterus. After undergoing oncogenetic tests that showed a defective gene and indicated the great chances of developing cancer as well as his mother and grandmother who died earlier, the movie star chose to undergo the procedure.
As a medical indication, the procedure of removing the uterus is recommended in cases of advanced cancer in the ovaries or myometrium, uterine fibroids, uterine prolapse, endometriosis considered severe and pelvic infections as well as constant bleeding. However, hysterectomy surgery is only performed after realizing that other treatments have not been successful. There are 3 types of procedures for removal of the uterus and each of them is indicated for a specific condition, namely:
- Total uterus removal or total hysterectomy – Where the uterus is removed together with the cervix.
- Subtotal uterus removal or subtotal hysterectomy – Where the uterus is removed, but the cervix is maintained.
- Withdrawal of the radical uterus or radical hysterectomy – Where the procedure of removal of the uterus, cervix, part of tissues around these organs and upper part of the vagina is performed.
In more extreme cases, the procedure may extend to the removal of the tubes and ovaries, usually indicated for patients who have very advanced cancer or severe endometriosis. The uterus removal procedure method was formerly considered an aggressive surgery where it was necessary to cut the abdomen similar to the old cesarean section, but with the advancement of medicine, it is possible to perform the procedure through laparoscopy or robotic removal where machines perform the procedure. surgery, as well as through the vagina. However, many doctors still opt for the abdominal cut method because it has a better and bigger view to identify each tissue and organ.
What changes after uterus removal?
Doubt of practically all women who go through this procedure or have indication to go, is about the changes after the removal of the uterus. Loss of libido, mood, hormone levels, menstruation , after all, what will change in the woman’s life after performing this procedure?
The first major change in the lives of women who undergo this procedure is the disappearance of menstrual bleeding. The menstrual cycle will continue, but as there is no more uterine tissue there is no elimination through bleeding. For those whose ovaries have also been removed, hormone replacement may be indicated to control menopausal symptoms as their ovaries will no longer be producing the necessary hormones.
The loss of libido, which is also a constant concern of women, is not a very common symptom after the procedure, especially for those who have undergone surgery due to cancer and who normally felt pain during intercourse. It is quite common for women to report that their sexual appetite increased after surgery as they no longer feel any discomfort . For women who have to remove the uterus before menopause, it is possible to experience a small loss of lubrication and consequently pain during the act, but it is easily resolved with the help of lubricants.
The sentimental and psychological can also be changed as a mixture of emotions can start to happen. The feeling of getting rid of the problem she suffered is a relief, but knowing that the organ of femininity is no longer there can mess with the woman’s innermost. After the procedure to remove the uterus, the doctor will be able to refer you for psychological help so that you can control these emotions and avoid future disorders or depressions.
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My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.