The uterus is an important organ for every woman and at the same time, it is a risky origin point that can cause many serious diseases. Each year, many women suffer from uterine-related diseases, and many endure suffering from uterine conditions. Therefore, paying attention to understanding the uterus helps us take care of and prevent serious diseases effectively.
What is the uterus? Get to know it better to take better care
The uterus (Uterus) is shaped like a rose apple or an inverted triangle, about 4 centimeters wide, 6-8 centimeters long, and about 2 centimeters thick. It is located in the pelvic area between the bladder and the rectum. Inside, it has a cavity that serves as the implantation site for a fertilized egg and the growth place for the fetus. The uterus is not an organ for expelling menstrual blood as many people think. Hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, may involve removing the entire uterus or only part of it, depending on the necessity for treatment.
Reasons for uterine surgery
Patients who need uterine surgery have various causes, commonly including:
- Uterine fibroids (Uterine Fibroids)
- Endometriosis (Endometriosis)
- Detection of cervical cancer or uterine-related cancers
- Uterine prolapse (Uterine Prolapse)
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Chronic pain symptoms
Uterine cancer: a silent dangerous threat to watch out for
In the early stages, the only symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal menstruation. However, this does not mean that everyone with abnormal menstruation has a chance of uterine cancer. The most important thing is to recognize abnormalities in your body and not to neglect seeing a gynecologist for diagnosis if you experience abnormal menstruation.
3 types of uterine surgery
- Total hysterectomy: surgery to remove the entire uterus and cervix
- Partial hysterectomy: surgery to remove the upper part of the uterus but leave the cervix intact; sometimes the ovaries may also be removed
- Radical hysterectomy: surgery for cancer treatment that removes tissue around the cervix and the upper part of the vagina; fallopian tubes or ovaries may or may not be removed
Uterine surgery using minimally invasive techniques
“Minimally invasive surgery (MIS)” is a surgical technology using a camera by making small incisions in the skin at the treatment site. Then, a camera and surgical instruments are inserted to perform the surgery. This allows doctors to see the details of the internal area clearly and is less painful, with lower risks of infection and complications. Recovery time is shorter, enabling patients to heal faster and return to normal life sooner.
What happens to life after uterine removal surgery?
Before deciding on uterine removal surgery, consultation with a specialist doctor is necessary. It is important to understand the main functions of the uterus, which are:
- Menstruation
caused by the shedding of the uterine lining after no egg implantation, which involves blood vessel rupture leading to bleeding, commonly known as menstruation - Pregnancy
the site for implantation of a fertilized egg and development into an embryo until the fetus grows - Childbirth
during childbirth, the uterine wall contracts periodically to help the baby pass through the birth canal
Side effects of uterine surgery
Removing the uterus and ovaries in premenopausal women will cause immediate menopause and loss of female hormones. Afterward, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Menopause
- Menopausal symptoms due to menopause
- Decreased sexual desire
- Increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, and urinary incontinence
- Possible depression or grief from inability to have children after surgery
What to do when female hormones are lacking
If you are already menopausal and need surgery on the uterus or ovaries, doctors usually recommend complete removal since women no longer need these organs. However, if you are still of reproductive age, removing the uterus and ovaries will affect female hormone systems. Normally, when the body lacks female hormones prematurely,
the treating doctor will consider hormone replacement therapy for further treatment. Removing only the uterus in women whose ovaries still produce hormones will result in no menstruation, but the ovaries continue hormone production, so menopausal symptoms or other symptoms mentioned earlier do not occur.
