Does a Hysterectomy Cure PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine condition affecting about 10% of women of reproductive age. This condition causes an imbalance of hormone levels, which can disrupt super important functions in the body, leading to chronic PCOS symptoms, such as fatigue, excess hair growth on the body and face, mood swings, weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles, and ovarian cysts. These symptoms can be SO challenging, and many Cysters feel dealing with PCOS daily significantly decreases their quality of life.

While there is no cure for PCOS, there are ways that you can manage symptoms and even reverse your PCOS! Changes in your lifestyle can naturally heal root issues like insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance, and inflammation which can go a LONG way to relieve a Cyster’s difficult symptoms. Some women also consider medical treatments and procedures, like a hysterectomy, as part of their approach to managing PCOS and kicking symptoms to the curb. 

But, is this a wise choice? If you’re a Cyster like me, you’ve probably considered all your options to reverse PCOS and claim the symptom-free life you deserve. However, some treatments are better than others. In this post, I’m going to give you all the details you need to know so that you can be confident in which decisions are best for you.

Here are the details:

Does a Hysterectomy Cure PCOS?

Unfortunately, a hysterectomy is not a cure for PCOS.

A hysterectomy is a surgery where a woman’s uterus and, in some cases, other reproductive organs, are removed. The tricky thing is, PCOS isn’t really about the uterus. It mostly has to do with hormones that the ovaries make, along with some that come from other parts of the body. So, even if a woman has a hysterectomy, the hormone-related symptoms of PCOS like hirsutism, acne, and insulin resistance can still persist.

Now, you might wonder if removing the ovaries along with the uterus would make a difference. While removing the ovaries can reduce some PCOS symptoms because they produce estrogen and progesterone (like ovarian cysts and certain hormonal imbalances) it doesn’t fully address the entire condition. This is because other imbalanced hormones like testosterone and AMH are also produced in other areas of the body. So, while a total hysterectomy may provide some symptom relief, it’s not a “cure” for PCOS, and there are more drawbacks than benefits for most Cysters! 

What is a Hysterectomy?

A total hysterectomy is a surgery where a doctor removes the uterus and cervix. The uterus is an organ in the lower belly that holds a baby when a woman is pregnant. Some women with PCOS may choose a hysterectomy with oophorectomy, which can involve the removal of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes. 

After a hysterectomy, a woman no longer has periods, as the uterus is the organ responsible for the monthly shedding of blood. It also means she won’t be able to conceive, as the uterus is essential for conception and pregnancy.

Women might get a hysterectomy if they have serious health problems with their uterus or ovaries, like pain, heavy bleeding, risk of cancer, or endometriosis. Though a total hysterectomy does not cure PCOS fully or address symptoms like excess hair growth, weight gain, or acne, it can have some benefits related to other hormonal imbalances that come from the ovaries. This is why a hysterectomy is usually considered a last-resort option when other treatments haven’t helped, and specific symptoms like bleeding or pain are too much for a Cyster to handle.

What are the Pros and Cons of Hysterectomy for PCOS?

Pros of Hysterectomy for PCOS

• Relief from heavy, painful periods for good
• Lowered risk of developing endometrial cancer
• No need for birth control or managing menstrual symptoms

Cons of Hysterectomy for PCOS

• Permanent loss of fertility
• Menopausal symptoms can appear earlier
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may be needed
• Risk of surgery complications
• Possible long-term impact on bone health
• Increased risk of heart disease
• Several weeks in the recovery period
• Reduced sexual function
• Emotional impact affecting sense of femininity 
• No guarantee that all PCOS symptoms will be relieved

How to Treat PCOS After Hysterectomy

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

If the ovaries were also removed during a hysterectomy, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might be helpful to manage hormone levels, especially estrogen. HRT can reduce menopausal symptoms, support bone health, and maintain heart health. When you address hormonal imbalances, such as estrogen, with HRT, you can support your overall quality of life. It can directly improve your mood and health, support skin and hair health, reduce the risk of insulin resistance, and relieve sexual discomfort. 

Whole-Food, Gluten- and Dairy-Free, Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Women with PCOS who embrace a whole-food, gluten- and dairy-free, anti-inflammatory diet can balance hormone levels, improve insulin resistance, and reduce inflammation to relieve chronic PCOS symptoms. Focusing on natural PCOS healing methods like swapping out ingredients that trigger your symptoms with PCOS-friendly alternatives can also lower the risk of long-term serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. 

Check out my PCOS-friendly meal plans and recipes on The Cysterhood app to build your own balanced diet to support your hormone health and PCOS body. 

Stress Management

High stress and anxiety are common for many women with PCOS, often due to high cortisol levels from the adrenal glands. And, even after a hysterectomy, high cortisol can still stick around as a lingering problem contributing to symptoms. Finding ways to manage stress like yoga, meditation, journaling, deep breathing exercises, or enjoying a calming hobby can be incredibly helpful in keeping cortisol low. Adding supplements that naturally lower cortisol can also give you that extra support you need to feel more at ease. 

Regular Low-Impact, Slow-Weighted Exercises

Exercise is super important for everyone, but for managing PCOS, low-impact exercises like slow-weighted workouts, pilates, yoga, and walking are especially effective. These types of workouts help target symptoms and remedy root issues without causing a spike in cortisol levels like intense exercises… a big win for Cysters!

Following these steady and attainable exercise routines on The Cysterhood app can make all the difference in regulating hormones and shedding stubborn weight. The app, designed just for Cysters like you, offers PCOS-friendly workout plans that fit right into your routine. It’s all about finding what works for your body so that you can make it a sustainable lifestyle! 

Ovary Health Supplements

Suppose you’ve decided against a total hysterectomy and have only removed the uterus for period pain relief. In that case, you may want to consider adding some ovary health supplements to your daily regimen. 

My all-time favorite supplement to support ovary health is Ovasitol. This 40:1 blend of myo-inositol and d-chiro-inositol can help improve insulin sensitivity and hormonal balance. Addressing insulin resistance and other root issues with Ovasitol can open the door to relieving a TON of other symptoms, like high testosterone production in the ovaries, which leads to excess hair growth on the body and face, hair loss, mood swings, and acne. 

Other ovary health supplements I recommend are omega-3, zinc, vitamin D3, and CoQ10. You can find all of them in Ovafit’s NSF-certified Metabolism Plus supplement bundle and in the MetaMulti Vitamin designed specifically for women with PCOS. 

Start your PCOS symptom-healing journey with Ovafit and our community of Cysters. 

Whether you’re just beginning your PCOS journey or have been making healing lifestyle changes for a while, the thought of a hysterectomy may come up. Remember, this medical procedure is not a cure for PCOS, and naturally reversing your PCOS is possible! The few benefits of a hysterectomy usually don’t outweigh all the detractors. Although I don’t recommend it for most Cysters, you have the power to be your own best health advocate. We hope the resources and research we have presented help you make the best decisions for yourself!

But remember, there are natural ways to ease PCOS symptoms! Focusing on a PCOS-friendly diet, hormone-supporting exercises, and effective stress management can make a huge difference. Adding essential PCOS vitamins and supplements like Ovasitol and Ovafit’s MetaMulti can help target PCOS symptoms that surgery alone can’t address.

Get started with your PCOS healing journey with a community of Cysters on The Cysterhood app for support, advice, and actionable remedies today!