PCOS and Hysterectomy: Is it a Cure?
It is a large myth that a hysterectomy is a cure for the millions of women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). As the name implies, PCOS does involve the ovaries, a source of excess androgens and the frustrating and unwanted symptoms that go with it.
It would then seem likely that removal of the ovaries would cure PCOS. However so much more is known about PCOS beyond the ovaries and how it changes with age. Here’s what women with PCOS should know about the pros and cons of a hysterectomy and why women can still suffer from the hormonal effects of PCOS even with their ovaries removed.
Hysterectomy and PCOS
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), on average 600,000 American women have hysterectomies every year. A total hysterectomy is an invasive surgery in which the whole uterus and cervix are removed. Sometimes the ovaries and/or Fallopian tubes may also be removed during a hysterectomy.
A partial hysterectomy is when the upper part of the uterus is removed, but the cervix is left in place. Both surgeries can be done laparoscopicly or through manual incision in the abdomen and require approximately six weeks of recovery time.
Some women opt for a hysterectomy as a method of preventing pregnancy. In this case, a hysterectomy may be performed during a c-section. But in most instances, a hysterectomy may be medically needed if you have fibroids, severe endometriosis, excessively heavy periods, severe pelvic pain, or uterine prolapse and may be needed if you suffer from cancer in the reproductive organs (uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, or ovaries).
Why a Hysterectomy is not a Cure for PCOS
Having a hysterectomy results in what’s called surgical menopause. Your periods stop immediately. Hormone levels drop quickly as compared with the natural and gradual decline seen in menopause. Women who have had a hysterectomy but still have their ovaries, will see a decline in hormone levels and reach menopause earlier. Women who have their ovaries also removed during a hysterectomy will experience greater losses in estrogen and progesterone, which are hormones produced by the ovaries. Here’s some of the problems caused by the loss of these hormones.
Complications associated with a hysterectomy:
- increased vaginal dryness
- low sex drive
- mood changes
- insomnia or trouble sleeping
- hot flashes
- urinary incontinence
- A hysterectomy also puts a woman at greater risk for osteoporosis due to the loss in estrogen
A hysterectomy is not a cure for PCOS and here’s why.
Androgens are still being produced.
For women with PCOS who have had a hysterectomy and her ovaries removed, she will still experience the long-term effects of having elevated androgens (male sex hormones like testosterone). The adrenal glands also produce testosterone and may be stressed to produce more to keep up with the loss of ovarian production. This means a woman may still suffer from excess hair growth, hair loss or balding, or even acne.
Metabolic problems persist.
While PCOS is a reproductive disorder, it’s also an endocrine disorder. Most women with PCOS have higher levels of insulin and inflammation than women without PCOS. If not well managed, excessive levels of insulin and inflammation can lead to prediabetes or type 2 diabetes and increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and fatty liver disease. A quick loss of estrogen also increases the risk for these complications.
A hysterectomy will not cure these complications but rather an antioxidant rich whole foods based eating style, regular exercise, good sleep, and stress management will. The right supplements can also help (see below).
Sometimes a hysterectomy is necessary but it’s always worth seeking a second opinion if a hysterectomy has been recommended to you. Depending on the medical problem, there are alternatives to a hysterectomy to relieve pain, heavy periods, or fibroids.
Help for Older Women with PCOS
If you are an older woman with PCOS and are experiencing more metabolic complications associated with the condition, you may need more aggressive lifestyle management to prevent them from worsening. Here are some recommended tips for older women with PCOS regardless if you have had a hysterectomy or not:
- Boost your diet with plenty of anti-inflammatory foods. This will help to reduce insulin and inflammation and help to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Exercise regularly for body and mind
- Consider Ovasitol, an inositol supplement proven to reduce insulin levels and to help manage carbohydrate cravings
- Consider Berberine as an aggressive way to reduce cholesterol and fatty liver as well as help reduce insulin and possibly body fat
- N-acetylcysteine is a powerful antioxidant to support immune health and to lower cholesterol and insulin
- Zinc can help reduce hair loss
- Fish oil can help reduce androgens, inflammation, and triglycerides
- Calcium is needed to prevent bone loss
- Vitamin D is important to help with mood, prevent bone loss and fight inflammation
- Magnesium can promote better sleep, help reduce anxiety and even pain
Do you have PCOS and was a hysterectomy recommended to you? Did you opt for the surgery and if so, what do you experience? If not, what did you do instead?
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Comments (21)
Rebecca Milota
January 18, 2019 at 6:37 pm
I’ve had a total hysterectomy. I’m 58 yrs old and now diabetic. I’ve never had any of the classic signs of diabetes and my diet really had never affected my glucose levels. My question, has anyone ever studied the affects of chasteberry(vitex) on hormone levels and if it reverses or slows diabetes? I’ve noticed my blood sugar levels have dropped a lot since I started taking it along with Invokamet. Hoping to come,off the prescription soon.
Angela Grassi
January 23, 2019 at 5:12 pm
Rebecca, Vitex can reduce testosterone as shown in a small handful of studies done on PCOS women. Studies showing it helps with diabetes are rare. There are other ways to reduce insulin with more research such as inositol and berberine. Both are sold in our store.
E
February 1, 2019 at 9:48 am
I had one ovary and two fallopian tubes removed. They want to finish the surgery now by removing the other ovary and my uterus. I had a large mass on my ovary and it contained cancer cells. I really don’t want to have surgery again and I’m not excited about going into menopause. I’ve had PCOS for years and was only diagnosed 6 months ago.
LaNita Olsen
February 26, 2019 at 5:28 pm
I’ve had a hysterectomy and was never diagnosed with PCOS but I now realize I meet or met all the markers for PCOS. How would it be diagnosed now?
Angela Grassi
March 9, 2019 at 1:49 pm
It can be tricky but your doctor should still test your hormone levels. Your past medical history is also important to see if you had irregular cycles, as well as signs and symptoms of high androgens like acne, hair growth and hair loss.
Loana
March 19, 2019 at 11:59 am
I have PCOS for 27 years, I manage fine until I get a cyst, then for the duration I can’t function at all. The pain puts me down for weeks, no energy and constant migraines. I already have diabetis type 2 because of PCOS, already had a hysterectomy and one ovary removed. In 2 years I just went through cyst number 8! Not to even mention the previous years. Today I’ve decided to have the ovary removed, I am only 40 but I feel 95! I already show signs of menopause, sleeping problems, hot flushes, the list goes on. I know there are different simptomes in women when it comes to PCOS, but I got PCOS PLUS!! This will be surgery number 7! Hopefully the last!
Angela Grassi
March 25, 2019 at 12:40 pm
Let’s hope!!! Thanks for sharing. Keep fighting!
Pamela
October 7, 2019 at 9:36 pm
I have been diagnosed with pcos when I was 29. I went through fertility treatment to have my children. I am 43 now and having more problems with it. I just recently ended up in the Er with severe pain from a ruptured cyst. They found my left ovary was enlarged with 2 fatty masses. Doc wants to remove the one ovary only. I suggested a complete hysterectomy. She is hesitant to do it as it will put me in full menopause. My question is has anyone here done a complete hysterectomy with pcos and will it bring on other health issues that I need to be worried about?
Chelsea
January 15, 2020 at 8:01 pm
Hi IAM 26 I have pcos probably since high school I want to remove all of my overies and uterus I don’t want kids at all would this be beneficial to do for my pcos I don’t want to be on birth control and metformin doesn’t work for me and none of the supplements help with producing a period and I’m always having some sort of pain in my stomach and always getting util I’m always tired getting migraine more and more please help
Angela Grassi
January 23, 2020 at 9:28 am
Hi Chelsea, unfortunately getting your ovaries and uterus may not totally eliminate your pain or symptoms. I suggest meeting with your gynecologist to get to the root of your pain. Perhaps you may have another underlying medical condition such as endometriosis that can be treated.
Alison
January 20, 2021 at 6:31 am
I am 58 years old was given a full hysterectomy at 42 years old I was taking Ellestee solo 2mg up until 2019 then I was unable to buy them due to production problems I was then prescribed zuermom which I have to say did not suit me I came off them last August 2020 after losing my youngest sister to breast cancer (i have been screened every year for the last 8 years as it is in the family)
My doctor wanted me to come off them gradually but I chose not too
Hot flushes from the waist up
Hair thinning
Dry skin
Low moods have started and I know covid isn’t helping
My weight has increased
I take Vitamin B C D & E
I eat lots of vegetables and home cooked foods I don’t like processed things
I eat cheese and prefer this to anything sweet
My sugar and cholesterol are 4 and 4.5
I am classed as obese
I am going to try these supplements
I am exercising alot more
Will do my homework on anti inflammatory foods
Erin Tyra
February 24, 2021 at 6:54 pm
I really need advice. I have pcos and I’m retaining so much weight. Im constantly feeling like my blood sugar is crashing and I shake uncontrollably. My feet feel like someone is stabbing knives into the bottom of them and they pulsate when I finally get off of them and sit down for the evening. Please help me. I know I need a nutritional diet to abide by.
Angela Grassi
March 25, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Erin, we do provide individual nutrition coaching if you need help. https://www.pcosnutrition.com/nutrition-coaching/ I am wondering if your feet are a sign of low b12? https://www.pcosnutrition.com/vitaminb12/
Petty Shackleford
May 31, 2021 at 2:14 pm
I had a total hysterectomy at 39. I am now 56. I currently have uncontrolled Type II Diabetes even though I am on 5 different medications. I have fought my weight all my life. I have male pattern baldness but cannot take Biotin because my doctor uses a biotin-based testing matrix for blood tests and I was getting false readings. I have been shaving my face since I was in my early 20s. I have tried every diet known and nothing seems to work. I am seconds away from having to go on insulin. Luckily I have a doctor willing to try other things so I am starting with a dietician tomorrow and hopefully she will be able to get my eating under control. I guess my point here is that a full hysterectomy doesn’t change anything. In fact, it can make the metabolic part worse. I was recently told that removing my ovaries was the worst thing I could have done. Partial hysterectomy yes, full hysterectomy no (for me only – as always, follow your doctor’s advice). I’m glad I found this site and I hope to be able to use the information here to get my doctor more onboard with some alternate techniques. Something is bound to work one day.
Angela Grassi
June 12, 2021 at 2:50 pm
Thanks for sharing! So glad you have sought out help from a dietitian.
Debra McCoy
May 4, 2022 at 7:13 pm
I am 28 and was diagnosed with pcos birth control and metaformine doesn’t work what else can I try thought about overies being removed but studied more and realized it won’t fix it completely please advice
Ashley
June 29, 2022 at 5:34 am
I’m 28 years old. Had symptoms since i was 18 and I’ve been diagnosed with pcos since 2019. At the end of 2021 I found out I might also have Endo and pretty sure I have adenomyosis. Drs want to do a laparoscopy to confirm the Endo but I want a hysterectomy. Pain from my periods is unbearable from the adenomyosis along with other symptoms, I feel if I left the ovaries for now I might be able to function better with no period but can still get testing done to figure more out about my pcos. There are no drs even close to being specialists in my state and for the last 4 years I’ve never had any signs of insulin resistance and most other tests show normal. Kids were never even a thought so hysterectomy is looking good? Atleast compared to everything I’m going thru. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Michelle hogg
August 14, 2022 at 1:09 pm
Aug 1st, 2022 I received a hysterectomy leaving both ovaries and cervix.
I have had hormonal issues since 14 years of age. I did not menstrate for a year and then bleed for up to 10 weeks. Anemia, Infertility and later pelvic pain led me to see an Infertility Dr. During tests a polyp on my uterus was discovered so I had lapriscopic surgery in 2013. Endometriosis, scar tissue, and a tumor were all found during surgery. I was unable to get pregnant after IUI and hormone treatment. The Endometriosis pain subsided for approximately a year and my monthly cycles were slightly more regular. So here we are about two weeks post operation. My pain even unmedicated is less than the Endometriosis pain before. I kept my ovaries because my main concern was to stop the heavy bleeding due to PCOS and with no tubes or uterus that problem was solved. I’ve noticed I have some hormonal acne currently, but for me it’s quality of life over other things. My doctor suggested keeping both ovaries for bone and heart health abd so I’m not thrown into full menopause at 40. If I’m honest I wanted them out, but I’m greatful to not have to take hormones for 20+ years.
Kelvin
September 8, 2022 at 9:01 am
My girlfriend has PCOS, I am also a medical student, and I would love to know how to best help her and simultaneously expand my knowledge.
Angela Grassi
October 5, 2022 at 10:17 am
Check out this course we have on PCOS for professionals:https://www.pcosnutrition.com/product/online-pcos-training-course-for-registered-dietitian-nutritionists/
And books: https://www.pcosnutrition.com/product-category/books/
Jenny
April 6, 2023 at 12:02 am
I’ve been diagnosed at 12 with PCOS I’m 31 now and I just want my useless uterus and ovaries gone. With nothing helping me with my unbalanced hormones. I’ve tried medications healthy lifestyle changes supplements everything. None of it helped me lose weight or bring back my periods or had even gotten me pregnant. All these other side affects seem worth it compared to thinking I’m pregnant when it’s not even a possibility for me if I get triggered by a pregnant co worker I get all the symptoms and everything with nothing to show for it.