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How could I still have endometriosis after a hystorectomy?
The doctor said I could still have endo. even if I had a hysterectomy. How? if having a period is the cause?
It's not having periods that causes endometriosis. It's the endometrial cells that exist outside the uterus that cause the condition. There are many theories out there as to why these cells don't stay in the uterus where they belong, but no one has been proven correct.
Yes, it is entirely possible to have endo reappear even after a hysterectomy. Many of the implants can easily be missed by the surgeon if they are small or light colored. If you still have your ovaries or are taking replacement hormones, those endo cells go right back to work causing problems. While hysterectomy does help in the majority of cases, it is by no means a cure-all for endometriosis.
If your surgery was an open procedure (long incision rather than the scope) you may not have endo, but rather adesions (scar tissue) as a result of both the endo and the surgery. Adhesions don't show up on imaging studies making diagnosis a dreadful challenge for both the patient and the doctor. The treatment is is more surgery - hopefully laparscopic - but more surgery can lead to more adhesions, which puts you in a vicious circle of surgeries. Bowel adhesions are common after hysterectomy, and can cause terrible digestive problems by slowing transit time to the point of causing reflux, regurgitation or even a full bowel obstruction.
Yes, it is entirely possible to have endo reappear even after a hysterectomy. Many of the implants can easily be missed by the surgeon if they are small or light colored. If you still have your ovaries or are taking replacement hormones, those endo cells go right back to work causing problems. While hysterectomy does help in the majority of cases, it is by no means a cure-all for endometriosis.
If your surgery was an open procedure (long incision rather than the scope) you may not have endo, but rather adesions (scar tissue) as a result of both the endo and the surgery. Adhesions don't show up on imaging studies making diagnosis a dreadful challenge for both the patient and the doctor. The treatment is is more surgery - hopefully laparscopic - but more surgery can lead to more adhesions, which puts you in a vicious circle of surgeries. Bowel adhesions are common after hysterectomy, and can cause terrible digestive problems by slowing transit time to the point of causing reflux, regurgitation or even a full bowel obstruction.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Please contact your gynecologist regarding your question. They may be in a better position to provide you with information regarding endometriosis after a hysterectomy.
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