Hysterectomy
With/without Oophorectomy
Overview
Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and is sometimes accompanied by the removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy). This surgery can be accomplished through the vagina, laparoscopically, or through an abdominal incision. It is important to understand which incision you desire based on any gender confirming surgeries you might be planning for the future. For example, a transverse abdominal incision may permanently preclude you from abdominal flap phalloplasty.The long term effects of testosterone use (and its break-down product: estrogen) on the uterus/ovaries are poorly understood. At a minimum, it is known that testosterone can cause polycystic ovaries and chronic abdominal pain. In addition, it is not known what the long term effects of a uterus that does not clear its lining (menstruation) can have as you age. Some transgender specialists recommend having at least one period per year to prevent the build-up of the inner lining of the uterus until hysterectomy/oophorectomy can be scheduled. Certainly, if you have a family history of estrogen sensitive female cancers, you need to consider the consequences of long-term estrogen exposure on the uterus, ovaries and breasts as a result of using testosterone. This is counter-intuitive, but life-time testosterone use causes more estrogen exposure than a cis-gender woman would have over her lifetime because testosterone has the break-down product of estrogen.
Hysterectomy with/without oophorectomy can be scheduled through Papillon Center. It can be scheduled in combination with another procedure. The fee may change depending on which incision is required and the length of hospital stay.
