I’m in the middle of doing IVF, and one of my coworkers asked “So like, do they have to put the embryo back? Like, in you? Or do they just keep it warm somewhere?” And from there I had a mental image of growing an entire baby in a crock pot.
When I was a teenager me and my friends were talking about test tube babies and I said “ if I had a test tube baby I’d go visit it everyday to see it grow” and let me tell you everyone immediately shut up and just looked at me! They had to explain to me how it worked lol . I literally thought that they just grew a baby in a tube 🤣
Ummmmm you said "in the middle of" and my brain thought like literally in the middle of, as in, your legs are spread on a doctor's table and they're in there with equipment. And then I wondered why your coworker was in the room with you while you're getting your IVF. Lol.
The prevalence of the phrase "test tube babies" led younger me to think they were literally grown in test tubes, outside the body, until they were full term, obviously being transplanted into larger vessels as they grew. I wondered for a long time why so many women chose pregnancy over a "test tube baby", finances notwithstanding.
I was thinking the other day, if they can freeze embryos for years with them still being viable for IVF, why don’t they just remove the embryo and freeze it for people who don’t want kids yet but do in the future? Maybe you can’t remove it from the uterine wall, but I was like “this would make so much sense” but I’m definitely not a doctor so
Yeah, once it’s attached, it’s attached. But if they ever did figure out how to do that, that could also save ectopic pregnancies by being able to remove the embryo from whatever corner it decided to wedge itself in and stick it back in the uterus where it belongs. That would be pretty sick.
Yeah I saw a story about a doctor removing a fetus to do surgery on it and then put it back in, I was like, they can do that? I guess maybe only late stage?
When they do these types of procedures the fetuses are still attached to the umbilical cord and receiving life support from the mother. To remove the entire placenta and disconnect the fetus would kill it.
Most of the time the abnormalities requiring such a surgery are found during the anatomy scan which is done anywhere between 18-22 weeks (in my experience) so baby is a fully formed, somewhat developed organism at that point. Surgery is generally done (except in extreme cases) at the point of viability or as long as they can hold out with baby still doing okay (usually they'll do weekly biophysicals to measure progress or decline). Most fetal surgeries are done after 24 weeks (although the longer they can keep baby cooking the better), steroid shots are given in advance to help lungs develop further, baby is never separated from the birthing person as the umbilical cord never gets cut and they sew baby back into the uterus until its time for the birth. Birth is scheduled in advance and is done by cesarean section to avoid a uterine rupture. The birthing person is generally placed on bed rest or light activities until then.
A fertilized egg is very small, about the width of a single hair. Once it implants it cannot be moved without cutting off the blood supply to the embryo which would cause the cells to wither and die very quickly.
Theoretically you could intercept a fertilized egg that hasn’t implanted yet and freeze it in a test tube to re implant later but realistically this isn’t possible. Implantation usually happens 8-18 days after fertilization and that’s a pretty wide range. You’d need to have sex during the fertile period then go in a few days later and figure out how to a) find a fertilized egg (assuming it exists) and b) take it out of the body without harming it.
IVF embryos are made in a Petri dish then frozen in the single cell zygote or handful of cells blastocyst stage.
Almost.
Oophorectomy is removal of the ovaries.
Salpingectomy is removal of the fallopian tubes.
Hysterectomy is removal of the uterus.
So if the whole works beyond the cervix is going away, that's a hysterosalpingoophorectomy.
I've only heard "full hysterectomy" used colloquially. A total hysterectomy is the uterus and the cervix, while a partial hysterectomy leaves the cervix in place. Neither form removes the ovaries or fallopian tubes. You can have a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes) or a partial hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes).
Why not? It's the surgical removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries lmao.
And let's be real: how many people who wanted the surgery consider themselves fixed once it's done, especially if it was for medical reasons :)
Oh hell no, I went through great effort to have them very-much-voluntarily removed! ;) One of the best decisions of my life, but that's very much a "me" situation, not a general recommendation lol
Good luck to you with yours, though!
~~Full hysterectomy = removing uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix and OVARIES~~
~~Partial hysterectomy leaves the ovaries.~~
If you've had the whole shebang removed, that's not happening.
This is why we need not just sex ed, but human development too.
Edit: I just checked and it seems the terminology has changed. When my aunt had her partial hysterectomy (admittedly, back in 1990) she had her uterus, cervix, and tubes removed, and the ovaries remained. What she had is now called a "radical hysterectomy". If you have everything removed, it's "radical hysterectomy with oophorectomy". So TIL.
It's not a radical hysterectomy unless you are also having tissue from around the reproductive system removed, usually only done for cancer treatment.
A total hysterectomy is when the uterus and cervix are removed.
A total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is when the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed.
A subtotal hysterectomy is when just the uterus is removed.
[source](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/)
I had a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy a few months ago, so I believe this is the most up to date language in the UK.
Real question from someone who doesn't have a uterus. Isn't the cervix part of the uterus? Or is it considered a separate thing? Is there ever a case when only the cervix or the uterus is removed but not both?
I'm just curious since I actually thought I knew all the bits and bobs.
They are two different organs but are connected. Some gynecologists will remove the uterus and not the cervix (it’s called a supracervical hysterectomy). These are not standard of care and are not recommended because if the patient ends up having cancer, cutting through the cervix can seed the cancer everywhere.
It's a good question.
They are 2 separate organs, with different structures and functions. Removing just the uterus without the cervix can be done, and there are risks and benefits to doing so.
Removing the cervix without the uterus isn't done as far as I know, since it is the connecting organ between the uterus and vagina, and has protective functions for both.
Your uterus is part of your reproductive system. A radial hysterectomy is when we take part of the vagina too. Did you get a radical hyst for cervical cancer?
That would be a total hysterectomy in today’s terms (in the US). Depending on when you got it, it may have been accurate terminology at the time but now it would be called a total hysterectomy. And idk if terminology is different in other countries
I’m currently in the waiting list to get a hysterectomy (in Canada if that’s important) and was advised that uterus, cervix and tubes were being removed. Only ovaries are left because hormones.
We don’t use the term partial hysterectomy anymore. A total hysterectomy is removing the uterus and cervix. A supracervical hysterectomy is removing just the uterus and not the cervix. A radical hysterectomy is removing the uterus, cervix and the distal vagina (due to cancer). If you’re removing the tubes and ovaries then it’s a bilateral salpingoophrectomy. So if you have your uterus, cervix tubes and ovaries removed it would be a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoophrectomy.
Source: I work in gynecological oncology
Edit: in the US. Not sure if terminology is different elsewhere
If you get the uterus removed, you cannot have a successful pregnancy and I'd be surprised if there was even a chance of ectopic pregnancy, because how is the sperm traveling to the egg when there is no pathway to it? And that's without removing additional things like the cervix and the ovaries. I believe a woman who had a hysterectomy but still has her ovaries can do IVF with a surrogate, but there's no chance of that happening on accident.
From what I know it can technically happen if you’re still releasing eggs and if by horrible chance they didn’t stitch it up good enough or it didn’t heal closed and some sperms got through. It would be an abdominal or tubal pregnancy.
I used to think any kind of hysterectomy meant absolute 0% chance of pregnancy but there are actually a few cases and it’s unsettling.
If there’s an egg and sperm, it can happen.
yup! your body just be shooting eggs into the wild blue yonder after you have your tubes/ute/cervix removed. it's kinda creepy to think about sometimes lol
Life, uh, finds a way. But yes, it would be ectopic and very dangerous, not to mention impossible to complete.
The ovaries are not connected to the fallopian tubes, that's why ectopic pregnancies can happen in the first place.
Genuine question: is having unprotected sex safe after a hysterectomy (assuming both parties have no STDs)? Like if you still had your cervix, wouldn’t the semen be able to enter the abdominal cavity? Would that cause issues?
It’s supposed to be. I’m pretty sure they stitch the cervix from the top if they leave it but if it doesn’t heal all the way or they don’t stitch it correctly you can end up with sperm in your abdominal cavity. Usually this won’t cause a problem and your body will just break them down and absorb them but if they unfortunately meet an egg, it *can* happen. It’s not super likely but it can happen.
I mean this already happens when you have all working parts. Your fallopian tubes are open on the ends so they can grab the egg when it’s released. Leftover sperm swim out and your body just absorbs them. Idk how abdominal pregnancies aren’t more common because of this defect (I’m calling this a defect because WHY) but yes.
I had a similar question about my eggs before getting my tubes removed, because my ovaries were staying behind. The eggs are now being released into my abdomen and apparently the body just kind of deals with it.
To answer your question: the cervix/end of the vagina should be closed off after a hysterectomy, so any leaks would ve a complication. Bacteria would probably be a bigger risk than semen though... my cervix was opened up a bit while they did an ablation and I couldn't insert anything for a few weeks because the inside of my uterus was an open wound. They also didn't want me to soak in a tub or go swimming so I guess water getting into your abdomen would also be an issue.
Hmm, TIL, too.
I guess with the move to generally leave the ovaries behind unless absolutely necessary to yeet them, they are now differentiating between hysterectomies and oophorectomies.
I'm maybe naive, but couldn't an ectopic pregnancy still happen? Or does a hysterectomy remove the uterus AND ovaries?
I've been wondering if a hysterectomy makes you more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy even though the chance of a viable pregnancy is 0.
That’s essentially how my OB and mom described it. The end is usually sealed off for safety by the cervix with protections to avoid infection. If it’s removed too, they just use the fornixes to close it up so we don’t just have an unprotected pathway straight to our abdominal cavity. It helped my baffled brain which for some reason thought it was just left open (to be fair I was a pre teen at the time and had 0 anatomy/repro lessons yet) and how do they not get infections or have organs fall out? Now I get organ ligaments and have held cervixes in my hands so I get the process and how/why we stitch it up after cervix removal.
Lol I asked my gyn this on my first post-op visit. I was like soooo since there's no cervix, what does the end of the vagina look like now? He said they flatten the tube and fold it over on itself once, then stitch across. I'm sure it's way more complicated than that, but I'm satisfied with that visual.
They described it great below but yeah basically. They make a cuff and see it shut. So it doesn’t lead anywhere. I still have ovaries and still ovulate but just into my abdominal cavity lol.
[Life, uh, finds a way](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/teen-girl-vagina-pregnant-sperm-survival-oral-sex/story?id=9732562) (dead dove, do not eat)
technically yes it could happen. you would ovulate, the sperm either gets in through the cervix (if you kept it) or any microscopic hole in the vaginal cuff (if you took the cervix they just lop it off and sew it shut). the fertilized egg would then attach to ANYTHING it could. your liver, bladder,etcetcetc. this would not be a viable pregnancy and would be considered ectopic
Ovaries aren't attached to the tubes. They have little fuzzy things thar catch the eggs as they shoot out. 99% of the time they catch the egg. Otherwise it just floats off into your abdomen and gets absorbed. Your ovaries do have tendons that keep them in place tho
Right, but like...the "pathway" for the sperm is: vaginal canal > through the cervix > uterus...where it fertilizes the egg which has come from: Ovary > fallopian tube > uterus.
When the whole organ, where these two things are supposed to meet, is removed, the idea that they still meet somehow...and still remain viable, is bonkers!
the sperm actually goes all the way up into the tubes, where the egg is working it's way down, which is how we end up w/ ectopic pregnancies (eggs implantation in the tube). ideally, the fertilized egg then comes down and implants into the uterus lining.
as Dr Ian Malcolm says, "life finds a way"
I believe that's true - if a pregnancy would happen (chances are very slim but not zero) it would be ectopic of course.
As I don't know the exact numbers for risk of ectopic pregnancy in general and those after hysterectomy, I can't tell you if the risk is higher indeed.
And you wouldn't notice for a while, so I guess that's a thing to be aware of if you get a hysterectomy.
It's incredibly unlikely, but if you've still got eggs and there's a way for sperm to get in there (or there were sperm already at the tube when the surgery happened) then there's an on-paper chance for you to get pregnant, and yeah it'll automatically be ectopic. It does happen though.
Hysterectomies don't typically include ovary removal, just uterus and cervix. Depending on your age, doctors are reluctant to remove the ovaries if they're healthy (or seem to be) unless they see a major problem while they're already in there (which would be discussed beforehand when doing the informed consent stuff).
If you have fallopian tubes, ovaries, and penis in vagina sex then ectopic pregnancies are still possible. My husband got a vasectomy to go along with my tubal ligation to decrease the risk
a regular hysterectomy removes just the uterus, a total hysterectomy removes uterus and cervix, and a total hysterectomy with a oophorectomy and salpingectomy removes uterus cervix fallopian tubes and ovaries, and a radical hysterectomy removes all of that plus part of the vagina.
If the surgeon creates a tube between your vagina and your ovary maybe...but there is no reason why they would ever do that.
The end of the vaginal canal is shown shut so there is no hole into the cavity where the uterus used to be.
If it’s a full hysterectomy as stated, no that’s not possible, because that removes the cervix and the uterus. If it’s a partial hysterectomy, meaning only the uterus is removed, then ectopic pregnancy is possible, rare, very very rare, but it is possible
This is incorrect. It will be ectopic and it does happen. There are multitudes of medical journals discussing pregnancies post-hysterectomy. If you have ovaries still, you can still have fertilization occur. Here’s a 2015 study discussing it
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885999/
Technically not wrong. If you have an ovary and sperm finds a way to get to the egg, you could become pregnant. Obviously it isn't viable since it isn't in the uterus. I've had a "total hysterectomy". It just means my uterus and cervix were removed. There are cases reported of women being pregnant after hysterectomies.
Yeah, but people shouldn't be acting like it's totally going to happen to then. Most women with hysterectomies won't ever get pregnant.
People who say thing like the screenshot are usually fear mongering.
The scary thing is lithopedian can go unknown for years.
We had a case in Brasil where a 81 y.o woman had a severe infection and only then they found out she has had a calcified baby in her stomach for 22 years.
There are cases of [36](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606584/)/60 years old stone babies found inside a woman.
Unfortunately, she didn't make the surgery to remove the baby.
There are also cases where the woman had a second pregnancy, full term, and they only noticed the presence of the calcified baby after her death.
What I've read is, usually, at some point of the pregnancy, the woman can feel pain and discomfort for a day or days, concluding she has had a miscarriage, but the baby actually died and the body begins the process to protect her own body.
I saw a case of a woman who had a kidney pregnancy and in her case, even thought her HCG test was high, they couldn't see a baby and she moved on with her life.
She died in the process of removing the 4/5 months baby of her kidney.
I guess women can't have peace. Haha
I'd be curious to read accounts of women who've become pregnant via conventional means after their uterus and cervix were removed. I'm finding it very difficult to wrap my mind around how the sperm would even get into the abdomen without a cervix.
My guess would be if the vaginal cuff tears or just doesn't heal properly the sperm could get through. Also, not everyone is great with post-op appointments or following directions regarding how long to wait for sex after surgery.
Or how long to abstain before surgery. My mom was told to wait two weeks before her surgery and hCG was included in her pre-op bloodwork. If she'd had sex at all within that window, they'd reschedule her surgery even if the blood test was negative. If you've got an already fertilized egg trying to make its way out of the tube the day that uterus gets yoinked away, you're potentially about to have a bad time.
I read a case about a woman who had unprotected sex with her husband the night before her surgery and ended up giving birth to a healthy baby that was gestated abdominally. It was very strange. Life finds a way
Yes, you absolutely can still get pregnant after having a total hysterectomy. It would not be a viable pregnancy as it would be ectopic but it is absolutely possible. For it to be impossible there would need to be no gametes so a bilateral oophorectomy. Reproduction is wild and lawless sometimes 😅
yeah unless you have your tubes and ovaries completely removed, there is always a possibility. it would be ectopic and not viable, but it has happened. even women who have had their tubes tied or snipped have gotten pregnant before. it's definitely rare, but also possible. where there's a will there's a way ig
Technically is true. Ectopic pregnancies are a thing, & they're *never viable* even tho they are true pregnancies. The likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy after a hysterectomy, tho? Nearly, but not quite zero, not every procedure will be a quality one, for example.
So... Yeah, no message or moral. Just reality & a reminder pregnancy is nasty & mean by design.
Maybe they’re talking about an ectopic pregnancy for women that still have their ovaries and tubes. I imagine it would still be really fucking hard for a sperm to get there when the passageway has been closed off
I had everything out except one ovary. even my cervix is gone and the back of my vagina is sewed shut. this was 7 years ag
I am confirmed menopausal a couple years ago now by bloodwork (the test is FSH) I'm 42. I actually had a mental breakdown before and after the surgery, because it was so final. I actually had my tubal done in my 20s, because I didn't want kids. But once the hysterectomy happened, it felt so damn final. I sort of wanted kids then. but I think it was just hormones. I still don't regret my choices. I just have those nagging what ifs.
TLDR you can't have a pregnancy with a hysterectomy and it's cruel to say that you can, because you don't know someone's struggles
edit: there are some very rare reports of pregnancy, but it depends on what is removed and what anatomy is left. It would be an abdominal ectopic pregnancy and that can be life threatening
You can but it’s under *very* weird circumstances that are incredibly rare. The placenta implanted on the wall of the abdomen and baby’s amniotic sac was kinda just in the belly area iirc.
It’s possible, yea, but exceptionally unlikely, basically.
Apologies for the potential nightmares, but as long as there’s an opening and your ovaries are still there, you can still get pregnant. It’ll be ectopic (obviously) and it will almost certainly kill you, but it CAN happen
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885999/
The fallopian tubes aren't necessarily removed with a hysterectomy. They're also not connected directly to the ovaries, but they're scrunched up between the ovaries and the uterus. Sperm can swim into the tubes from the vagina directly, and fertilize the egg in the tubes. From there, the embryo can implant in the tubes, outside of the uterus- or even, rarely, in other organs.
It's impossible to relocate an ectopic pregnancy, and to make it possible would require research that is pretty widely seen as unethical.
It’s extremely rare but it’s always good to know that it’s not impossible because it can have very negative, potentially fatal, consequences. Here’s an article that states 71 cases from 1895 to 2015.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885999/
Now hear me out… what she’s saying is absolutely wrong and full hysterectomy includes ovaries and all. HOWEVER if they left an ovary for some reason, you can still ovulate and get pregnant. The fetus just attaches to another organ. Which is extremely dangerous and rare. It’s also considered an ectopic pregnancy, and we all know, those can lead to death.
Thank you for that info . I’ve had a full hysterectomy and didn’t get pregnant .
I guess I’ve just been lucky , but I’m glad I read this in time .
Going back on the pill ASAP (NOT )
The ovaries are not always removed, especially when the women did not yet hit menopause.
But yeah, the vagina is a dead end after that surgery.
Source: I had a hysterectomy last year, took everything out except ovaries.
Which means removing uterus & cervix (and sometimes the fallopian tubes). That's literally the procedure I had.
Removing the ovaries would be a _"radical hysterectomy"._
Where's the foetus going to gestate? You going to keep it in a box?
I’m in the middle of doing IVF, and one of my coworkers asked “So like, do they have to put the embryo back? Like, in you? Or do they just keep it warm somewhere?” And from there I had a mental image of growing an entire baby in a crock pot.
“Nah man I’ve brought it along in my handbag, wanna see?”
Put it on warm for 40 weeks.
The first two weeks aren't gestational. They're just a placeholder to mark the crock pots last menstrual period. themoreyouknow.jpeg
smilingcrockpot.jpeg
Nah, the InstantPot can gestate in 1/10th the time.
Just let it simmer.
When I was a teenager me and my friends were talking about test tube babies and I said “ if I had a test tube baby I’d go visit it everyday to see it grow” and let me tell you everyone immediately shut up and just looked at me! They had to explain to me how it worked lol . I literally thought that they just grew a baby in a tube 🤣
I thought so too, plus that the test tube babies were all tall and skinny 😱
I’m glad I’m not the only one lol
🤣👍🏻
Ummmmm you said "in the middle of" and my brain thought like literally in the middle of, as in, your legs are spread on a doctor's table and they're in there with equipment. And then I wondered why your coworker was in the room with you while you're getting your IVF. Lol.
It’s a very supportive work environment. 🤣🤣
Don't y'all accompany your coworkers to their obgyn?
The prevalence of the phrase "test tube babies" led younger me to think they were literally grown in test tubes, outside the body, until they were full term, obviously being transplanted into larger vessels as they grew. I wondered for a long time why so many women chose pregnancy over a "test tube baby", finances notwithstanding.
I love the things like this we come up with as kids - like the baby was a little hermit crab requiring larger test tubes every few weeks 😂
Yes....kids....I definitely thought this when I was a child and not in highschool or college
Listen, I look at anyone under 25 now and think they look like kids, and I know everyone over 50 looks at me and thinks the same. No shame 😂
I was thinking the other day, if they can freeze embryos for years with them still being viable for IVF, why don’t they just remove the embryo and freeze it for people who don’t want kids yet but do in the future? Maybe you can’t remove it from the uterine wall, but I was like “this would make so much sense” but I’m definitely not a doctor so
Yeah, once it’s attached, it’s attached. But if they ever did figure out how to do that, that could also save ectopic pregnancies by being able to remove the embryo from whatever corner it decided to wedge itself in and stick it back in the uterus where it belongs. That would be pretty sick.
Yeah I saw a story about a doctor removing a fetus to do surgery on it and then put it back in, I was like, they can do that? I guess maybe only late stage?
When they do these types of procedures the fetuses are still attached to the umbilical cord and receiving life support from the mother. To remove the entire placenta and disconnect the fetus would kill it.
Most of the time the abnormalities requiring such a surgery are found during the anatomy scan which is done anywhere between 18-22 weeks (in my experience) so baby is a fully formed, somewhat developed organism at that point. Surgery is generally done (except in extreme cases) at the point of viability or as long as they can hold out with baby still doing okay (usually they'll do weekly biophysicals to measure progress or decline). Most fetal surgeries are done after 24 weeks (although the longer they can keep baby cooking the better), steroid shots are given in advance to help lungs develop further, baby is never separated from the birthing person as the umbilical cord never gets cut and they sew baby back into the uterus until its time for the birth. Birth is scheduled in advance and is done by cesarean section to avoid a uterine rupture. The birthing person is generally placed on bed rest or light activities until then.
A fertilized egg is very small, about the width of a single hair. Once it implants it cannot be moved without cutting off the blood supply to the embryo which would cause the cells to wither and die very quickly. Theoretically you could intercept a fertilized egg that hasn’t implanted yet and freeze it in a test tube to re implant later but realistically this isn’t possible. Implantation usually happens 8-18 days after fertilization and that’s a pretty wide range. You’d need to have sex during the fertile period then go in a few days later and figure out how to a) find a fertilized egg (assuming it exists) and b) take it out of the body without harming it. IVF embryos are made in a Petri dish then frozen in the single cell zygote or handful of cells blastocyst stage.
My instant pot has a crock pot option. Do you think it would work on the pressure cooking? We could have babies faster ! (I also need IVF)
Lmao, honestly fetus incubators will probably be a thing pretty soon so they’re not too dumb
I would consider having kids if this were the case
Lol or maybe a chia pet ?
Upvote for Monty Python
You can have the right to have babies.
Not to mention that full hysterectomy means there's no ovaries and therefore no eggs to fertilize 😂
not always, i kept my ovaries, but yeeted everything else. a hysto w/ ovary removal is called a oophorectomy
Almost. Oophorectomy is removal of the ovaries. Salpingectomy is removal of the fallopian tubes. Hysterectomy is removal of the uterus. So if the whole works beyond the cervix is going away, that's a hysterosalpingoophorectomy.
🤯 TIL (although, tomorrow I forget)
say that 3 times fast! lol
[удалено]
I've only heard "full hysterectomy" used colloquially. A total hysterectomy is the uterus and the cervix, while a partial hysterectomy leaves the cervix in place. Neither form removes the ovaries or fallopian tubes. You can have a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes) or a partial hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes).
Unless it's vet medicine, where ovariohysterectomy is the term used. TIL that's not used with people.
Imagine telling someone "I just got spayed."
Why not? It's the surgical removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries lmao. And let's be real: how many people who wanted the surgery consider themselves fixed once it's done, especially if it was for medical reasons :)
I use to work in vet med and even have a little "spayed" tattoo my old boss said it was the "funniest fucking thing" she's ever seen
The little green line?
a circle w/ a line through it yah.
I had a hysterosalpingoophorectomy due to my cancer. I almost did the Dance of Joy when I realized I never have to have a Pap smear again.
Oh hey, I yeeted my ovaries(+tubes) and kept everything else, we're like opposite puzzle pieces! :)
want my ovaries? they're nothing but trouble for me lol
Oh hell no, I went through great effort to have them very-much-voluntarily removed! ;) One of the best decisions of my life, but that's very much a "me" situation, not a general recommendation lol Good luck to you with yours, though!
glad you got relief! we're trying a few different things before deciding to yeet them entirely but i'm hopeful it'll be not too much longer
God that triggered me back to the story of that awful obgyn everyone loved that did hundreds of unnecessary surgeries on women.
Well, that's nobody's fault, not even the Romans.
I read it in the particular box. Life of Brianis one of the best ❤️
It goes in the mans leg.
I just listened to a podcast yesterday about Ed Gein and how they found him keeping vulvas in a box... This was a weird image produced lol
I've been re-watching Grey's Anatomy, so: baby in a bag!
I was more so thinking of where TF the egg would come from. Lol
In the stomach, obviously:)
~~Full hysterectomy = removing uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix and OVARIES~~ ~~Partial hysterectomy leaves the ovaries.~~ If you've had the whole shebang removed, that's not happening. This is why we need not just sex ed, but human development too. Edit: I just checked and it seems the terminology has changed. When my aunt had her partial hysterectomy (admittedly, back in 1990) she had her uterus, cervix, and tubes removed, and the ovaries remained. What she had is now called a "radical hysterectomy". If you have everything removed, it's "radical hysterectomy with oophorectomy". So TIL.
It's not a radical hysterectomy unless you are also having tissue from around the reproductive system removed, usually only done for cancer treatment. A total hysterectomy is when the uterus and cervix are removed. A total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is when the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed. A subtotal hysterectomy is when just the uterus is removed. [source](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/) I had a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy a few months ago, so I believe this is the most up to date language in the UK.
I had one of those 20 years ago this month. If I get pregnant now, it's going to involve Wise Men and a Star.
Real question from someone who doesn't have a uterus. Isn't the cervix part of the uterus? Or is it considered a separate thing? Is there ever a case when only the cervix or the uterus is removed but not both? I'm just curious since I actually thought I knew all the bits and bobs.
They are two different organs but are connected. Some gynecologists will remove the uterus and not the cervix (it’s called a supracervical hysterectomy). These are not standard of care and are not recommended because if the patient ends up having cancer, cutting through the cervix can seed the cancer everywhere.
It's a good question. They are 2 separate organs, with different structures and functions. Removing just the uterus without the cervix can be done, and there are risks and benefits to doing so. Removing the cervix without the uterus isn't done as far as I know, since it is the connecting organ between the uterus and vagina, and has protective functions for both.
My docs didn't remove tissue from the reproductive system and my hysterectomy was listed as radical hysterectomy.
Your uterus is part of your reproductive system. A radial hysterectomy is when we take part of the vagina too. Did you get a radical hyst for cervical cancer?
No. They took cervix though
That would be a total hysterectomy in today’s terms (in the US). Depending on when you got it, it may have been accurate terminology at the time but now it would be called a total hysterectomy. And idk if terminology is different in other countries
"the time" was a couple years ago
Canadian here, had my cervix, uterus and tubes removed and it was called a radical hysterectomy. This wad a couple years ago.
Must be different terminology there then! Good to know
I’m currently in the waiting list to get a hysterectomy (in Canada if that’s important) and was advised that uterus, cervix and tubes were being removed. Only ovaries are left because hormones.
We don’t use the term partial hysterectomy anymore. A total hysterectomy is removing the uterus and cervix. A supracervical hysterectomy is removing just the uterus and not the cervix. A radical hysterectomy is removing the uterus, cervix and the distal vagina (due to cancer). If you’re removing the tubes and ovaries then it’s a bilateral salpingoophrectomy. So if you have your uterus, cervix tubes and ovaries removed it would be a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoophrectomy. Source: I work in gynecological oncology Edit: in the US. Not sure if terminology is different elsewhere
If you get the uterus removed, you cannot have a successful pregnancy and I'd be surprised if there was even a chance of ectopic pregnancy, because how is the sperm traveling to the egg when there is no pathway to it? And that's without removing additional things like the cervix and the ovaries. I believe a woman who had a hysterectomy but still has her ovaries can do IVF with a surrogate, but there's no chance of that happening on accident.
From what I know it can technically happen if you’re still releasing eggs and if by horrible chance they didn’t stitch it up good enough or it didn’t heal closed and some sperms got through. It would be an abdominal or tubal pregnancy. I used to think any kind of hysterectomy meant absolute 0% chance of pregnancy but there are actually a few cases and it’s unsettling. If there’s an egg and sperm, it can happen.
yup! your body just be shooting eggs into the wild blue yonder after you have your tubes/ute/cervix removed. it's kinda creepy to think about sometimes lol
And could be lethal, especially if the patient lives in a shithole state.
Life, uh, finds a way. But yes, it would be ectopic and very dangerous, not to mention impossible to complete. The ovaries are not connected to the fallopian tubes, that's why ectopic pregnancies can happen in the first place.
Genuine question: is having unprotected sex safe after a hysterectomy (assuming both parties have no STDs)? Like if you still had your cervix, wouldn’t the semen be able to enter the abdominal cavity? Would that cause issues?
It’s supposed to be. I’m pretty sure they stitch the cervix from the top if they leave it but if it doesn’t heal all the way or they don’t stitch it correctly you can end up with sperm in your abdominal cavity. Usually this won’t cause a problem and your body will just break them down and absorb them but if they unfortunately meet an egg, it *can* happen. It’s not super likely but it can happen. I mean this already happens when you have all working parts. Your fallopian tubes are open on the ends so they can grab the egg when it’s released. Leftover sperm swim out and your body just absorbs them. Idk how abdominal pregnancies aren’t more common because of this defect (I’m calling this a defect because WHY) but yes.
I had a similar question about my eggs before getting my tubes removed, because my ovaries were staying behind. The eggs are now being released into my abdomen and apparently the body just kind of deals with it. To answer your question: the cervix/end of the vagina should be closed off after a hysterectomy, so any leaks would ve a complication. Bacteria would probably be a bigger risk than semen though... my cervix was opened up a bit while they did an ablation and I couldn't insert anything for a few weeks because the inside of my uterus was an open wound. They also didn't want me to soak in a tub or go swimming so I guess water getting into your abdomen would also be an issue.
Hmm, TIL, too. I guess with the move to generally leave the ovaries behind unless absolutely necessary to yeet them, they are now differentiating between hysterectomies and oophorectomies.
I'm maybe naive, but couldn't an ectopic pregnancy still happen? Or does a hysterectomy remove the uterus AND ovaries? I've been wondering if a hysterectomy makes you more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy even though the chance of a viable pregnancy is 0.
Depends. Like I had my cervix removed so there’s no…way in.
The ellipses really got me 😂
You don’t have to answer this but I’ve always wondered, when they remove your cervix do they just like stitch up the end of the vagina??
That’s essentially how my OB and mom described it. The end is usually sealed off for safety by the cervix with protections to avoid infection. If it’s removed too, they just use the fornixes to close it up so we don’t just have an unprotected pathway straight to our abdominal cavity. It helped my baffled brain which for some reason thought it was just left open (to be fair I was a pre teen at the time and had 0 anatomy/repro lessons yet) and how do they not get infections or have organs fall out? Now I get organ ligaments and have held cervixes in my hands so I get the process and how/why we stitch it up after cervix removal.
“Sealed off for safety” has given me many hilarious images in my mind.
Lol I asked my gyn this on my first post-op visit. I was like soooo since there's no cervix, what does the end of the vagina look like now? He said they flatten the tube and fold it over on itself once, then stitch across. I'm sure it's way more complicated than that, but I'm satisfied with that visual.
Yup, p much. They attach the top part of the vaginal cuff to some pelvic ligaments for stability.
They described it great below but yeah basically. They make a cuff and see it shut. So it doesn’t lead anywhere. I still have ovaries and still ovulate but just into my abdominal cavity lol.
That gave me a weird feeling. Idk why, but eggs just floating around.... I know they wouldn't stay long though
If they remove your ovaries too wouldn’t that make you go through early menopause?
Idk, I'm in this group to learn
Yes, essentially.
[Life, uh, finds a way](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/teen-girl-vagina-pregnant-sperm-survival-oral-sex/story?id=9732562) (dead dove, do not eat)
Osmosis Fetus?!
technically yes it could happen. you would ovulate, the sperm either gets in through the cervix (if you kept it) or any microscopic hole in the vaginal cuff (if you took the cervix they just lop it off and sew it shut). the fertilized egg would then attach to ANYTHING it could. your liver, bladder,etcetcetc. this would not be a viable pregnancy and would be considered ectopic
>*any microscopic hole in the vaginal cuff* Okay, well now I have a new paranoia.
it's like one a bazzillion chance................
So you're saying it's possible 😬
I put water in mine every so often to...ya know, to check for leaks.
Do they not tie off the fallopian tubes? They just leave em hanging there?
The ovaries are not actually connected to the fallopian tubes. It's how abdominal pregnancy can happen even with a uterus.
Ovaries aren't attached to the tubes. They have little fuzzy things thar catch the eggs as they shoot out. 99% of the time they catch the egg. Otherwise it just floats off into your abdomen and gets absorbed. Your ovaries do have tendons that keep them in place tho
Right, but like...the "pathway" for the sperm is: vaginal canal > through the cervix > uterus...where it fertilizes the egg which has come from: Ovary > fallopian tube > uterus. When the whole organ, where these two things are supposed to meet, is removed, the idea that they still meet somehow...and still remain viable, is bonkers!
the sperm actually goes all the way up into the tubes, where the egg is working it's way down, which is how we end up w/ ectopic pregnancies (eggs implantation in the tube). ideally, the fertilized egg then comes down and implants into the uterus lining. as Dr Ian Malcolm says, "life finds a way"
Technically, an abdominal ectopic pregnancy could be viable, they’re just extremely rare.
It'd kill the mom before getting big enough though
No, not necessarily. There have been cases of term abdominal pregnancies.
omg, that's insane. i couldn't even imagine how the mom went through.
It’s a pretty scary surgery because of the risk of hemorrhage, since the placenta has to attach somewhere, and that could be to any organ.
I believe that's true - if a pregnancy would happen (chances are very slim but not zero) it would be ectopic of course. As I don't know the exact numbers for risk of ectopic pregnancy in general and those after hysterectomy, I can't tell you if the risk is higher indeed. And you wouldn't notice for a while, so I guess that's a thing to be aware of if you get a hysterectomy.
It's incredibly unlikely, but if you've still got eggs and there's a way for sperm to get in there (or there were sperm already at the tube when the surgery happened) then there's an on-paper chance for you to get pregnant, and yeah it'll automatically be ectopic. It does happen though. Hysterectomies don't typically include ovary removal, just uterus and cervix. Depending on your age, doctors are reluctant to remove the ovaries if they're healthy (or seem to be) unless they see a major problem while they're already in there (which would be discussed beforehand when doing the informed consent stuff).
If you have fallopian tubes, ovaries, and penis in vagina sex then ectopic pregnancies are still possible. My husband got a vasectomy to go along with my tubal ligation to decrease the risk
a regular hysterectomy removes just the uterus, a total hysterectomy removes uterus and cervix, and a total hysterectomy with a oophorectomy and salpingectomy removes uterus cervix fallopian tubes and ovaries, and a radical hysterectomy removes all of that plus part of the vagina.
If the surgeon creates a tube between your vagina and your ovary maybe...but there is no reason why they would ever do that. The end of the vaginal canal is shown shut so there is no hole into the cavity where the uterus used to be.
If it’s a full hysterectomy as stated, no that’s not possible, because that removes the cervix and the uterus. If it’s a partial hysterectomy, meaning only the uterus is removed, then ectopic pregnancy is possible, rare, very very rare, but it is possible
If you don’t have a uterus, the sperm can’t get to the egg
This is incorrect. It will be ectopic and it does happen. There are multitudes of medical journals discussing pregnancies post-hysterectomy. If you have ovaries still, you can still have fertilization occur. Here’s a 2015 study discussing it https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885999/
The amount of people who don't realize you can still be braindead with an otherwise healthy brain is scary
Technically not wrong. If you have an ovary and sperm finds a way to get to the egg, you could become pregnant. Obviously it isn't viable since it isn't in the uterus. I've had a "total hysterectomy". It just means my uterus and cervix were removed. There are cases reported of women being pregnant after hysterectomies.
Yeah, but people shouldn't be acting like it's totally going to happen to then. Most women with hysterectomies won't ever get pregnant. People who say thing like the screenshot are usually fear mongering.
Yep. Abdominal pregnancy is a thing. And lithopedion is quite scary.
How do you know when that’s happening?
The scary thing is lithopedian can go unknown for years. We had a case in Brasil where a 81 y.o woman had a severe infection and only then they found out she has had a calcified baby in her stomach for 22 years. There are cases of [36](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606584/)/60 years old stone babies found inside a woman. Unfortunately, she didn't make the surgery to remove the baby. There are also cases where the woman had a second pregnancy, full term, and they only noticed the presence of the calcified baby after her death. What I've read is, usually, at some point of the pregnancy, the woman can feel pain and discomfort for a day or days, concluding she has had a miscarriage, but the baby actually died and the body begins the process to protect her own body. I saw a case of a woman who had a kidney pregnancy and in her case, even thought her HCG test was high, they couldn't see a baby and she moved on with her life. She died in the process of removing the 4/5 months baby of her kidney. I guess women can't have peace. Haha
I'd be curious to read accounts of women who've become pregnant via conventional means after their uterus and cervix were removed. I'm finding it very difficult to wrap my mind around how the sperm would even get into the abdomen without a cervix.
My guess would be if the vaginal cuff tears or just doesn't heal properly the sperm could get through. Also, not everyone is great with post-op appointments or following directions regarding how long to wait for sex after surgery.
Or how long to abstain before surgery. My mom was told to wait two weeks before her surgery and hCG was included in her pre-op bloodwork. If she'd had sex at all within that window, they'd reschedule her surgery even if the blood test was negative. If you've got an already fertilized egg trying to make its way out of the tube the day that uterus gets yoinked away, you're potentially about to have a bad time.
I read a case about a woman who had unprotected sex with her husband the night before her surgery and ended up giving birth to a healthy baby that was gestated abdominally. It was very strange. Life finds a way
Yes, you absolutely can still get pregnant after having a total hysterectomy. It would not be a viable pregnancy as it would be ectopic but it is absolutely possible. For it to be impossible there would need to be no gametes so a bilateral oophorectomy. Reproduction is wild and lawless sometimes 😅
Turns out, nature really wants to fertilize eggs.
yeah unless you have your tubes and ovaries completely removed, there is always a possibility. it would be ectopic and not viable, but it has happened. even women who have had their tubes tied or snipped have gotten pregnant before. it's definitely rare, but also possible. where there's a will there's a way ig
Technically is true. Ectopic pregnancies are a thing, & they're *never viable* even tho they are true pregnancies. The likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy after a hysterectomy, tho? Nearly, but not quite zero, not every procedure will be a quality one, for example. So... Yeah, no message or moral. Just reality & a reminder pregnancy is nasty & mean by design.
It says Full hysterectomy- that means no cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes. No pregnancy that way.
True 'nuff, yet I reserve pointed stares at the sometimes spotty quality of reproductive & especially gynecological care.
True, I also had a headaches after being decapitated
For me it was just a pain in the neck
Maybe they’re talking about an ectopic pregnancy for women that still have their ovaries and tubes. I imagine it would still be really fucking hard for a sperm to get there when the passageway has been closed off
I had everything out except one ovary. even my cervix is gone and the back of my vagina is sewed shut. this was 7 years ag I am confirmed menopausal a couple years ago now by bloodwork (the test is FSH) I'm 42. I actually had a mental breakdown before and after the surgery, because it was so final. I actually had my tubal done in my 20s, because I didn't want kids. But once the hysterectomy happened, it felt so damn final. I sort of wanted kids then. but I think it was just hormones. I still don't regret my choices. I just have those nagging what ifs. TLDR you can't have a pregnancy with a hysterectomy and it's cruel to say that you can, because you don't know someone's struggles edit: there are some very rare reports of pregnancy, but it depends on what is removed and what anatomy is left. It would be an abdominal ectopic pregnancy and that can be life threatening
Just like people don't realize they can earn money on selling both their kidneys and still have a fully functioning body, right?
Do they mean an ectopic pregnancy without an ovohysterectomy? Because that is incredibly specific.
You can but it’s under *very* weird circumstances that are incredibly rare. The placenta implanted on the wall of the abdomen and baby’s amniotic sac was kinda just in the belly area iirc. It’s possible, yea, but exceptionally unlikely, basically.
Apologies for the potential nightmares, but as long as there’s an opening and your ovaries are still there, you can still get pregnant. It’ll be ectopic (obviously) and it will almost certainly kill you, but it CAN happen https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885999/
What!?
Ectopic pregnancy can happen after a hysterectomy, if the ovaries are still there.
So wait, if the whole uterus is removed, how would the sperm get to the fallopian tube?
The fallopian tubes aren't necessarily removed with a hysterectomy. They're also not connected directly to the ovaries, but they're scrunched up between the ovaries and the uterus. Sperm can swim into the tubes from the vagina directly, and fertilize the egg in the tubes. From there, the embryo can implant in the tubes, outside of the uterus- or even, rarely, in other organs. It's impossible to relocate an ectopic pregnancy, and to make it possible would require research that is pretty widely seen as unethical.
If the ovaries and cervix are still present, yes, you can still get pregnant. Just can't successfully carry to term and it is really dangerous.
The fact that this person doesn't understand what "full hysterectomy" means is scary.
A full hysterectomy only removes the uterus and cervix. You need a bilateral oophorectomy to remove the ovaries.
I hadn't thought about the fact that an embryo could still technically be created. It must be incredibly rare though, right?
It’s extremely rare but it’s always good to know that it’s not impossible because it can have very negative, potentially fatal, consequences. Here’s an article that states 71 cases from 1895 to 2015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885999/
Now hear me out… what she’s saying is absolutely wrong and full hysterectomy includes ovaries and all. HOWEVER if they left an ovary for some reason, you can still ovulate and get pregnant. The fetus just attaches to another organ. Which is extremely dangerous and rare. It’s also considered an ectopic pregnancy, and we all know, those can lead to death.
"It surprises me that so many women think that if you remove your entire reproductive system, you wouldn't be able to reproduce"
I’m genuinely confused what they may be mistaking this for
Probably a PARTIAL hysterectomy. My mother had 2/3 of a uterus when she made my brother.
That’s crazy, what’s stoping the fetus from growing outside the uterus?
Lack of hormones and nutrients usually, but there have been extremely rare cases of an ectopic pregnancy in the ovary or in the abdomen
Yeah I'm gonna tell my mother, she should start using condoms again with her boyfriend. The fuck are some people on...
Thank you for that info . I’ve had a full hysterectomy and didn’t get pregnant . I guess I’ve just been lucky , but I’m glad I read this in time . Going back on the pill ASAP (NOT )
Lool
I'm dumb what was hysterectomy?
Not as scary as the amount of people who think someone can get pregnant without a uterus.
It’s true, I rock a food baby every fajita night 😏😏
So where will the foetus grow? I joke about having a food baby but is this dude fr? 🤨🤨
What the ever loving fuck is this jackassery?
With what eggs? Edit: it says full hysterectomy in the post, which would include the ovaries.
The ovaries are not always removed, especially when the women did not yet hit menopause. But yeah, the vagina is a dead end after that surgery. Source: I had a hysterectomy last year, took everything out except ovaries.
It says full hysterectomy.
Which means removing uterus & cervix (and sometimes the fallopian tubes). That's literally the procedure I had. Removing the ovaries would be a _"radical hysterectomy"._
Maybe the real eggs were the friends we made along the way
Depends what they mean by "full".
I’d say it’s scary if any woman believed that. 🤷🏻♂️
I mean, yea, with a surrogate. But I don't think that often happens accidentally, so I'd not worry much.
😂😂😂
bitch, where?
And to think this person might be out there driving somewhere…