What is the role of hysterectomy in patients with endometriosis?
As many patients with endometriosis complain of heavy and painful periods it is very tempting to perform a hysterectomy to relieve their symptoms. Unfortunately endometriosis is rarely isolated to the uterus. More than half of the women who have a hysterectomy (with conservation of the ovaries) have been reported to get a recurrence of their symptoms. When the ovaries are removed as many as one in 10 women will have a return of their symptoms. Performing a hysterectomy is unlikely to resolve symptoms such as pain during sex or pain in the rectal area, which are common in severe cases of endometriosis. With early and more effective methods of diagnosing endometriosis hysterectomy is becoming less common. Advances in laparoscopic surgery have enabled the treatment of endometriosis without hysterectomy. This has the advantage of maintaining fertility and allowing a natural menopause.
