Endometriosis is a medical condition that occurs when the endometrial stroma or uterus lining grows in other parts of the reproductive system such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the pelvic sidewall, the uterosacral ligaments, the cul-de-sac, the Pouch of Douglas, or the rectal-vaginal septum. Hysterectomy is used as a last recourse in the treatment of severe endometriosis pain.

Hysterectomy is usually the last form of treatment that doctors perform on women with problems in their reproductive organs. The uterus is the main organ being removed in a hysterectomy, although the cervix, the fallopian tubes, or the ovaries may also be removed if the doctor sees fit.

There are four main classifications of hysterectomy, which can be performed in treating endometriosis pain. One is a total hysterectomy and another is a subtotal hysterectomy. In the former, both the cervix and the uterus are removed, while only the uterus is removed in the latter.

The surgeon may opt to remove the patients' ovaries while undergoing the hysterectomy in order to ensure that the endometriosis doesn't recur. Endometriosis can grow back even after the uterus is removed because of the estrogen that the ovaries produce. The hysterectomy procedure is called a bilateral oophorectomy when the surgeon removes only the ovaries aside from the cervix and the uterus. On the other hand, the procedure is called bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy when the surgeon removes both the ovaries and the fallopian tubes in addition to the uterus and the cervix.

Hysterectomy is a procedure performed by incising either the abdomen or the vagina where a laparoscope may also be used. Whether performed with a laparoscope or not, the vaginal approach enables the patient to recover faster and requires shorter hospital stays.

While it may be logical to reason that the removal of the diseased organ will lead to a cure, it may not always be true. In the case of endometriosis pain, only the removal of the ovaries can increase the chances for a long term cure. However, even this may not be effective, especially if the endometriosis has already gone out of the uterus and into the other organs.

A woman begins menopause, if she isn't in the menopause stage yet, and becomes unable to bear children after a hysterectomy. The woman may also undergo a hormone replacement therapy in order to replace the estrogen that was produced by the removed ovaries. However, it should be kept in mind that estrogen fosters the growth of endometriosis, which can make the disease recur.

Thoroughly discuss alternative treatments with your doctor, and learn about the other forms of treatment. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of a hysterectomy procedure and also the permanent changes that may result. Of course, it would help for you to always strive to stay healthy and have a healthy lifestyle.