You may have heard about a possible link between gynecologic surgery (such as a hysterectomy) and the development of fibromyalgia, and doctors have long suspected that fibromyalgia has strong hormonal ties and triggers. This does not seem surprising as we’ve long suspected a link between endocrine disorders, gynecological conditions, and autoimmune conditions. What are we learning about this link and what might that mean for you?
People have noted the onset or changes in their fibromyalgia symptoms in relation to gynecological conditions for many years. For example, it’s not uncommon for symptoms to appear shortly after the symptoms of perimenopause. Likewise, some people have noted an improvement in their fibromyalgia symptoms after procedures that alter female hormone production.
In addition, some people note that a worsening of symptoms or occurrence of flares coincides with certain times in their menstrual cycle. But correlation doesn’t mean causation. Is there truly any link between fibromyalgia and gynecologic disease or hysterectomy?
First, let’s take a look at fibromyalgia symptoms in women and how they seem to vary with hormones.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Women
There are many differences between men and women with fibromyalgia that could have something to do with hormonal differences, beginning with the fact that fibromyalgia is much more common in women than in men.
Women with fibromyalgia are especially prone to painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) and certain pregnancy complications, although we know women with fibromyalgia often experience hyperalgesia or an amplification of pain. There is also some evidence that flares occur more commonly during the premenstrual period.
But what about a link between gynecologic conditions or gynecologic surgery and fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia and Gynecologic Surgery
The research is young when it comes to looking at the link between gynecologic surgery and fibromyalgia, and little research has been done until recently.
A 2015 study, however, examined a possible link. In the study, researchers reviewed charts of 219 women with fibromyalgia and 116 women with non-fibromyalgia chronic pain. Specifically, they evaluated the time between illness onset and gynecologic surgery as well as the number of overlapping conditions in each group.
They also found that each of the three diagnosis types they were looking at was independently associated with fibromyalgia. Thyroid disease and gynecologic surgery were significantly more common in women with fibromyalgia than those with other types of chronic pain.
Timing of Gynecologic Surgery and Onset of Fibromyalgia
The timing of the gynecologic surgeries in relation to pain onset was especially interesting.
At first glance, it may seem odd that gynecologic surgeries in the year after pain onset would be considered related to the development of fibromyalgia. However, an association like that may be due to several pertinent factors. For example, consider that many women have gynecologic problems well before they opt for surgery as the preferred treatment. It may be that hormonal changes or gynecologic disease are risk factors for fibromyalgia because of some underlying relationship that we don’t yet understand.
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According to the study, hysterectomies and oophorectomies (removal of the ovaries) were most likely within the four years before or after the onset of fibromyalgia pain.
This is certainly an area that calls for more research. In the end, it could help us understand why 90 percent of fibromyalgia patients are women. Beyond that, it may reveal physiological changes that can trigger the development of the illness, which could lead to better treatments and possibly even prevention.
For the women who develop fibromyalgia after gynecologic surgery, we also need to know what role, if any, the surgery itself plays, as well as the possible roles of hormonal changes caused by the surgery. Post-surgical hormone replacement therapy deserves a look, too.
Bottom Line on Gynecologic Surgery and Fibromyalgia
We know that fibromyalgia is much more common in women, and that the symptoms of the condition can vary with the menstrual cycle and menopausal state. A recent study found that gynecologic surgery, such as removal of the uterus and/or ovaries, appears to be more common prior to the onset of fibromyalgia. Whether this is correlation or causation has yet to be determined, as well as any possible reasons why this could be the case if it’s causation. Given the disability associated with fibromyalgia, this is an important finding to pursue.
Sources:
Brooks, L., Hadi, J., Amber, K. et al. Assessing the Prevalence of Autoimmune, Endocrine, Gynecologic, and Psychiatric Comorbidities in an Ethnically Diverse Cohort of Female Fibromyalgia Patients: Does the Time From Hysterectomy Provide a Clue?. Journal of Pain Research. 2015. 8:561-9.
This article is a crock! I have had Fibro since 1987 I was 27 yrs old when I was diagnosed with this. I have had no sergery other than my hips 1971 at that time. I have never had menstal problems nor had any problems having my baby at 35 yrs old. I have asked many times over the years to many many specialists ” are you sure that the redness on the palms of my hands don’t have anything to do with Fibro ? ” and they all said ” no, we don’t know what that is.” NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THIS IS ! OR HOW TO FIX IT, OR HOW IT STARTS. So why are you writting this page to possibly give people hope when gynecologic surgery has nothing to do with burning nerves?
I feel that there is truth to this article! I had to have a total hysterectomy at age of 39!
After this surgery is when I can say looking back at how many times I went to my GP for different pains and illnesses! I had a very bad year in 2013. Lost my job, had a bad fall down a hill, lost my mom and a month later lost my brother. Had to have 3 surgeries due to my fall, neck infusion, left and right arm with total rotator cuff surgeries in a year an a half.
Was diagnosed in 2016 with fibromyalgia. I had symptoms of fibromyalgia years prior just thought nothing about it, but now I am in full blown Fibromyalgia and the pain is WAY MORE INTENSE!! The symptoms are all different from one to another. I never had any type of hormone replacement after my hysterectomy.
Despite all the afwfull things that happened in your life I think the hysterectomy can cause these symptoms. I have premature menopause and the same symptoms.
I am sorry you have had such a stressfull period , that must be hard for you and also a hysterectomy. I have had premature menopause diagnosed at age 35, now 41, and think hormones, lack of hormones, changing hormones are the blame. I recognize all the fibromyalgia symptoms. I also have a stressfull live, but these symptoms started when my hormones where out of whack and every year I got new symptoms, a lot of neurological problems also, symptoms come and go… Now my menstruations has stopped and I use hrt I feel like I have full blown fibromyalgia, brain fog, memory problems, menopausal symptoms, visual dusturbances, tinnitus…..
I’d like to say that I men also suffer from fibro! Ok not as many as women but certainly a substantial amount!.
I have dealt with chronic pain for years. Never excepting my doctor saying it could be fibromyalgia. My periods have been so painful I often get sick, if I don’t start meds soon enough. I put off getting a hysterectomy, pain and bleeding was not a good enough reason to deal with menopause sooner. I agreed with ob to get a hystoplasy done. With in 6 months, my pain levels became to much to treat with OTC, so I went to my doctor for fibromyalgia meds. So many things I dealt with for years appear to be a symptom for fibromyalgia.