Ms. Zhang, 53, was diagnosed with cervical and uterine cavity cancer 10 years ago and had to undergo surgery to remove her uterus and ovaries. It was a difficult decision because it meant that she would lose her part of being a woman and would also face many unknown consequences. However, in order to survive, she did not flinch and bravely walked onto the operating table.
Fortunately, the surgery was successful, and with the care of doctors and family, he gradually regained his health. The results of multiple follow-up examinations also showed that the threat of cancer has been eliminated.
However, she soon discovers that she is not as happy as she imagined. After surgery, I often feel weakness in my limbs and feel tired with slight movements. It was something she had never felt before, and it prevented her from being as energetic and enthusiastic as she had been. At the same time, she also noticed that I was gaining weight and becoming fat. Once a slender woman, now she has become a fat old lady. To make matters worse, her libido is also almost gone, and she feels like she has lost her charm and confidence as a woman.
In addition to these, she also suffered from other problems. skin pigmentation, spots and wrinkles appear. Hair also becomes dry and thin. The eyes also lost their brilliance and radiance. She looked at herself in the mirror and felt like a walking corpse.
In fact, there are many friends around us who have had to undergo hysterectomy for different reasons, just like Ms. Zhang, who are facing physical and psychological challenges. So, why is a woman who has her uterus removed so different from a normal woman, and what changes may not be changed?
These 3 changes may never change
First of all, we must understand that the uterus is one of the important organs of women, it is not only the place where life is conceived, but also the source of female hormones. Female hormones, mainly estrogen and progesterone, have an important effect on a woman's body and mind. When a woman's uterus is removed, their female hormone levels drop dramatically, leading to a series of changes that can be divided into the following categories:
Endocrine changes: The decline of female hormones can affect women's metabolism, causing weight gain, fat accumulation, increased blood sugar and blood pressure, and even diabetes and cardiovascular disease. At the same time, the decline of female hormones can also lead to bone problems such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and loose teeth. In addition, the decline in female hormones can also affect women's immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections and more difficult to fight off viruses and bacteria.
Changes in the reproductive system: The decline in female hormones can cause a woman's vagina to be dry, shortened, lose elasticity, and be susceptible to injury and infection. At the same time, a woman's libido will also be greatly reduced, and the couple will feel pain, discomfort, and even bleeding during life. These changes can seriously affect the quality of women's sexual life, as well as their relationship with their partners.
Skin changes: The decline of female hormones can lead to the loss of moisture, elasticity and luster of women's skin, and the appearance of wrinkles, sagging, pigmentation, hair thinning and other aging phenomena. At the same time, women's hair can become dry, brittle, brittle, and even fall out. These changes will make women's appearance old and lose self-confidence.
Psychological changes: The decline of female hormones can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, insomnia, memory loss and other psychological problems in women. At the same time, women's sense of self-identity can also take a hit, feeling that they are no longer complete, no longer attractive, and no longer valuable. These changes can cause serious damage to women's mental health.
When should I consider removing my uterus?
Uterine removal is a relatively large gynaecological surgery and is generally not performed lightly unless there are any of the following:
Uterine or ovarian cancer: This is the most common and most urgent cause of uterine removal. If the cancer has not spread to other organs, removal of the uterus can effectively control the progression of the cancer and improve survival and quality of life.
Uterine fibroids or endometriosis: These are benign conditions of the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding, pain, infertility, and other problems. If medication or other surgical methods don't work, removal of the uterus can solve these problems once and for all.
Cervical precancer: This is an abnormal change in the cells of the cervix that has the potential to develop into cervical cancer. If the precancerous lesions are severe or recur, removal of the uterus can prevent cervical cancer.
There are many surgical methods for uterine resection, which can be divided into total hysterectomy, trachelectomy, hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy, etc., according to the scope and method of resection. Different surgical methods have different effects on women, so it is necessary to discuss with the doctor to choose the appropriate surgical method according to the specific condition and personal situation.
Does the "precancerous lesion" of the cervix have to be cut in the uterus?
Precancerous changes in the cervix are abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix that have the potential to develop into cervical cancer in the future. These lesions are mainly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a common sexually transmitted virus, and certain types of HPV have the potential to cause cervical precancerous lesions and even cervical cancer.
It is important to note that precancerous lesions of the cervix do not necessarily necessitate hysterectomy, as this is not the same as cervical cancer itself, but rather a state of cellular change that has the potential to be reversed. The progression of cervical precancerous lesions to cervical cancer is a slow process, usually taking years or even more than a decade. During this process, some cervical precancerous lesions may degenerate naturally, while others may persist or worsen further.
Strategies for treating precancerous changes in the cervix are largely based on their severity and whether they have recurred. The severity of cervical precancerous lesions can be assessed by cervical smear and cervical biopsy, which are usually classified as low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1) and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2 and CIN3).
Low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1) is usually not treated immediately, but is monitored for changes with regular Pap smears and HPV testing. If there is no deterioration or signs of deterioration within a year, treatment is required.
For high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2 and CIN3), early treatment is usually recommended to prevent it from progressing to cervical cancer. Treatments include physical or chemical means to destroy or remove abnormal cervical tissue, such as cryotherapy, laser therapy, electroresection, curettage, and conization.
In some cases, hysterectomy is considered a more aggressive treatment option and should only be considered if cervical precancerous lesions have progressed to cervical cancer or are at high risk, recurrent recurrence, and ineffective or intolerable to other treatments, or if there is other serious uterine disease (e.g., uterine fibroids, endometriosis, etc.).