Will a hysterectomy cure endometriosis?

Some women chose, as a last resort to have a hysterectomy. However, this does
not guarantee complete pain relief.

There's a story about a women who was at the end of her rope with endometriosis
pain and had decided to have a “complete hysterectomy.” She hoped the surgery would
alleviate her endometriosis pain. When asked what she meant by “complete hysterectomy,”
she replied, “I don’t know; I just told the doctor to take everything!”

Deciding whether to have a hysterectomy is a very weighty, and personal decision. If
you’ve been advised by your doctor to have a hysterectomy, a second opinion is always
in order. Read books, articles, and personal stories about hysterectomy – especially articles
written by women with endometriosis. It’s also important to understand that some women
experience a recurrence of endometriosis and/or its symptoms after hysterectomy.

Before any woman makes “the hysterectomy decision,” one of the many things she should
know is exactly what the surgery involves. Remember, however, that hysterectomy does
not guarantee a relief from symptoms or from endometriosis. While hysterectomy might be
warranted in certain situations, there may be other, less radical alternatives for women with
endometriosis to consider.

Discuss all the risks and possible side effects with your doctor and with women who’ve
undergone hysterectomy. You may want to talk with women in your endometriosis support
group about their experiences with hysterectomy. And finally, consider your decision very
carefully because “the hysterectomy decision” is not reversible.