Can Endometriosis Recur After a Total Hysterectomy?
In endometriosis, the endometrial cells grow over the fallopian tubes, ovaries or the tissue lining the pelvis. So, if a partial or subtotal hysterectomy is done, only the uterus is removed, leaving the ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix. The endometrial cells requires estrogen to prevail. Ovaries produce estrogen which influences the endometrial cells outside the uterus. That is why even after a partial hysterectomy, endometriosis can recur, rather it remains, with same symptoms as before the hysterectomy surgery, specially during ovulation. A total hysterectomy also does not remove the ovaries hence, there are chances of endometriosis recurring. However, if both the ovaries are removed, it minimizes endometriosis recurrence, since the source of estrogen i.e. the ovaries are removed. The process of removal of both the ovaries along with the uterus and fallopian tube is called hysterectomy (complete or partial) with bi-lateral salpingo-oophrectomy. Nevertheless, if you are taking estr
