Using Hysterectomy to Treat Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside the uterus. It most commonly grows on the ovaries and fallopian tubes but can sometimes extend to the bowels, bladder, and adjacent structures.

This tissue growth can lead to symptoms ranging from mild to debilitating, including:

• Pain, usually in the abdomen, lower back, or pelvic areas
• Heavy periods and bleeding between periods
• Painful menstrual cramps
• Infertility

Hysterectomy for Endometriosis

While there is no cure for endometriosis, many people will undergo a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) to help alleviate intolerable symptoms of the disease.

If you're considering a hysterectomy, it's important to understand the probable outcomes and the alternatives that may be more appropriate for your specific condition.

What's most important to understand is that a hysterectomy is not a guaranteed cure for endometriosis. Multiple surgeries may be needed, and in many cases, the pain relief will not be complete.

Research suggests that pain relief is better achieved if the surgery involves the removal of the ovaries.

According to a 2014 study from researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 61% of people who had a hysterectomy without an oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) continued to experience endometriosis pain after the procedure, often for years. Of these, 31% needed a second surgery.

By contrast, only 10% of those who underwent a hysterectomy with oophorectomy had pain, and less than 4% needed a second surgery.

There are also surgical risks to a hysterectomy/oophorectomy that shouldn't be underplayed, including blood clots, infection, post-operative bleeding, and a bad reaction to the anesthesia.

Understandably, this type of dual procedure isn't right for every woman as it is irreversible and will lead to permanent sterility. In addition, if the ovaries are removed, menopause will begin in the days following the surgery, often requiring hormone replacement therapy.

Alternatives to Hysterectomy

However desperate you may be to treat persistent endometriosis pain, hysterectomy should never be the first-line option. Instead, consider non-surgical alternatives or less invasive surgical procedures to directly treat the tissue overgrowth.

• Over-the-counter pain like Advil (ibuprofen)
• Oral contraceptives that can stop your period and prevent painful flares
• Laparoscopy, a type of surgical procedure involving small "keyhole" incisions to view and remove excess uterine tissue
• Laparotomy, a traditional surgery used to remove the endometrial overgrowth
• Surgery to sever the pelvic nerves to obtain pain relief

Ultimately, the choice of treatment should always be based on the severity of pain, your age and health, and whether you have plans to have a family. 

Before diagnosing and treating endometriosis, your doctor may conduct imaging tests such as an MRI or ultrasound to confirm that there are no other complicating conditions.

In most cases, doctors will start with conservative treatment such as medication before trying invasive surgical treatment. Use our Doctor Discussion Guide below to start a conversation with your doctor about the right treatment option for you.

Endometriosis Doctor Discussion Guide

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A Word From Verywell

It's important to be clear with your healthcare provider about your desired goals of treatment before embarking on any treatment for endometriosis. 

Your treatment may be vastly different if you want to have kids in the future versus being done having children or not wanting to ever get pregnant.