The consequences of removing the uterus and cervix

The uterus is an important reproductive system for women. In addition to being a unique sexual organ for women, its main function is reproduction. Every month when menstruation comes, the uterus and ovaries, including the reproductive system, are needed. These three organs are very important. Many women need to remove their uterus and cervix due to special reasons, and their ovaries will also be removed when necessary. This means that the body will decline sharply and menopause will occur prematurely.

For the elderly, they have already gone through menopause and no longer face the requirements of fertility and menstruation. Moreover, with the natural decline of ovarian function after menopause, the uterus will gradually shrink from the size of a fist to the size of an egg. The uterus seems to become less important. However, there are also certain hazards in the removal of the uterus in the elderly. The main harm lies in the loss of the supporting function of the uterus on the pelvic floor, and secondly in the psychological impact caused by the removal of a physical organ.

The disappearance of the supporting function will cause the following hazards: First, the pelvic floor tissue will sag. After the uterus and its surrounding ligaments are cut, the supporting effect on the pelvic floor muscles is weakened, the pelvic floor tissue will sag, and the anterior and posterior vaginal walls will prolapse. Second, bladder prolapse. Bladder prolapse can cause frequent urination, stress urinary incontinence, and even urinary retention, which can lead to urinary tract infection over time. Third, rectal prolapse. The specific symptoms of rectal prolapse include constipation, difficulty in defecation, and a feeling of heaviness and distension in the anus.

The removal of body organs has a certain psychological impact on women. For example, they may think that they are no longer women or that they are disabled, which may lead to psychological burdens such as inferiority complex and depression.

At present, the medical community generally believes that as long as it is a benign disease, the uterus can be preserved and not removed as much as possible. Therefore, even the elderly must strictly grasp the indications for hysterectomy, and it is better not to have a hysterectomy if possible.

The uterus is the organ that produces menstruation and nurtures the fetus. It is located in the center of the pelvic cavity, between the bladder and the rectum. The size of the uterus is related to age and fertility. For nulliparous women, it is approximately 7.5 cm long, 5 cm wide, and 3 cm thick. The uterus can be divided into three parts: the fundus, the body, and the neck. The uterine cavity is an inverted triangle, about 6 cm deep, with the two upper corners being the "uterine horns" that lead to the fallopian tubes. The narrow lower end is called the "isthmus", which is about 1 cm long. The isthmus gradually expands during pregnancy and forms the lower uterine segment at the time of delivery.

The ratio of the uterine body to the cervix varies with age, being 1:2 in infancy, 1:1 in adolescence, and 2:1 during the reproductive period. The uterus is normally slightly curved forward, with the anterior wall lying prone on the bladder and almost at right angles to the vagina. Its position may change with the degree of fullness of the bladder and rectum. The uterine wall is composed of three layers from outside to inside: serosa, muscle layer and mucosa (i.e. endometrium).