Hysterectomy: What happens to eggs after uterus removal?

Verified by Dr. Vaishali Sakpal Rane (MBBS, DGO Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DNB Obstetrics and Gynaecology

The surgery where the uterus is removed is called Hysterectomy. It is quite safe surgery. The uterus is also commonly called the womb where the baby grows. The ovaries are a very important part of the female reproductive system. They carry the female gametes ova or eggs. 

Your ovaries have had your eggs since you were in your mother's womb. Isn't that amazing!  When you were a 20 week foetus in your mother's womb, your ovaries had 6- 7 million eggs . These undergo degradation and reduce in number. By the time you are born you have 1 million eggs. This process of degradation continues throughout life . You ovulate around 400 eggs in your entire life span. 

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After menopause the process of degradation is fastened and eggs further reduce in number. Apart from releasing the egg, the ovaries also release hormones oestrogen and progesterone. 

Hysterectomy may involve removal of only the uterus or uterus along with other organs like cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Depending on the age of the patient and the condition for which hysterectomy is being done, your ovaries may be removed or left behind.

• In young females where hysterectomy is done for conditions like fibroids, heavy bleeding then ovaries may be left behind. 
• In conditions where ovaries are affected like tumour, endometriosis or cancer the ovaries are removed.
• If you are nearing menopause even if your ovaries are normal they may be removed to prevent any further issues.

If your ovaries are removed you may experience early menopause.You can have aggravated symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, mood swings, urinary complaints. If your ovaries are left behind they still continue to ovulate, but you will not get your periods as the uterus is removed.

The egg is released into the abdominal cavity where it degrades after some time.

Though pregnancy is rare after hysterectomy, an ectopic pregnancy may occur. This happens if a sperm is able to escape through the vault into the abdominal cavity and fertilise the released egg. The fertilised egg then implants in the fallopian tube and results in ectopic pregnancy. 

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Hence you should never ignore any kind of abdominal pain, especially in the lower abdomen. An ultrasound examination and the right guidance from a gynecologist may help to get the diagnosis and further treatment.