How can endo come back if have hySterectomy and ovaries removed?

[Metriosisgirl]

Is it possible for it to come back?

[CE_88_14]

Hey this was something I enquired about when I spoke to my specialist and he said that your body would still produce small amounts of the hormone and also depending on your diet if you consume a lot of high oestrogen foods then yeah it can still come back

[luthien]

It's because all mammals even males produce small amounts of oestrogen, this is what endo needs to grow. So even with a complete hysterectomy endo can still regrow.

It's unfortunate, my endo specialist says there shouldn't be a push for a hysterectomy as a cure because there isn't a cure for endo, it's a treatment option which means it won't get rid of endo, and he feels that needs to be made clearer, so we're informed before we make such a huge decision.

It's important to note that diet; even though there are cases to show certain changes work, nothing has been scientifically studied with results clearly showing something works. For example soy can mimic oestrogen type chemicals so some women have found eliminating soy helps endo symptoms but some women have reported soy because of some of it's anti-inflammatory properties helps with symptoms. It's all soo confusing!

[asoullessstatic]

Yes.

You will still produce oestrogen, and hence, any endo cells can still grow. I think its really important to highlight here that the old 'retrograde menstruation' hypothesis of endometriosis development had now well and truly been busted by the current research and it suggests that endometriosis tissue is "endometrial like" tissue that has developed because stem cells during embryonic development, and puberty have misdifferentiated and developed into endometriosis cells. These cells have been shown to have very high expression of the oestrogen receptor - so even very small amounts can have large effects on these tissues. The problem is, you can't have no oestrogen what so ever, oestrogen is essential in woman for bone mass maintenance, and complete loss of oestrogen can lead to osteoporosis (hence why if you are treated with a GnRH agonist you normally take add back small dose oestrogen to help mitigate this), and its also essential for heart health, so all mammals produce it in small amounts even after menopause / hysterectomy. Hence, really hysterectomy and ovaries removal really isn't a cure (though in some woman it can reduce symptoms but endo has no cure.)

[Metriosisgirl in reply to asoullessstatic]

Thank you that has now made some sense to me. I am so scared to see what my outcome will be. I have Already had one lot of surgery to remove cysts and Severe endo then had a baby couple of months ago and now endo and cysts has returned and I also have recto vaginal endo and endo on my bowel wall. My ovaries are stuck together known as kissing ovaries so it’s all a bit of a mess.

[asoullessstatic in reply to Metriosisgirl]

Most women do have dramatic improvements in symptoms after a hysterectomy. I know women who have said their lives became much better after one, and that while they still had pain things were better. I unfortunately know some for whom it didn’t help. Realistically though, it shouldn’t be sold as a cure, there is not cure to endometriosis and it will always affect you in some way shape or form, we have a chronic pain condition, and while operations like this might help in long term management, it’s not entirely going away. I think I’m always a bit cautious when I heard people talk about hysterectomies because its seen as this easy way out of endometriosis and a cure, but it isn’t, however it can help reduce symptoms. It depends personally on how much your life is effected, if it’s the worst it could ever be, and that reduction of a in pain is important and will give you huge boost in quality of life then it should absolutely be seriously considered.

[dasprior]

Evil rotten disease! I had a full hysterectomy plus both ovaries 3 years ago for stage 4 endo and strongly suspect it’s back with a-vengeance. Had a scan last week and appointment next week with an endo excision specialist. Very nervous to see what he has to say. The scan is supposed to pick up the DIE stuff. Almost hope it comes back positive as I’m over the pain and need a reason for it. But dreading more surgery.

[Metriosisgirl in reply to dasprior]

That sounds awful I hope you get a good outcome

[livvi_livvi]

It is possible like all other posters have said for it to reoccur after a hysterectomy and ovary removal. However, the gold standard if you are needing a hysterectomy is to have ovaries removed and also all endometriosis lesion excised by a qualified endometriosis specialist.

If you just have a hysterectomy and ovary removal without excision then the lesion that you mention that are not on your uterus or ovaries will remain and will continue to grow. Remember that it is thought that established endometriosis lesion can actually create their own oestrogen supply.

I think when it comes to endometriosis treatments you really have to do what feels right for you, your endo and your consultant. Make sure you are under a BSGE surgeon too.

Xxxx