Is it possible to do surgery during menstruation? This question is asked by many patients. After all, it is no secret to anyone that the female body is more susceptible to changes in the hormonal background. Does the day of the menstrual cycle somehow affect the conduct of medical procedures? Is complication possible?
The influence of the menstrual cycle on the body of a woman
Is it possible to do surgery during menstruation? In fact, doctors, planning a surgical intervention, always ask the patient about the approximate date of the onset of menstruation.
The fact is that the functioning of the female body largely depends on the period of the monthly cycle. For example, immediately before the onset of menstruation, the properties of blood change, as well as the ability of tissues to regenerate.
Why is it impossible to do surgery during menstruation?
To begin with, it is worthwhile to carefully consider the changes that occur in the body of a woman under the influence of hormones. Why do not do surgery during menstruation?
- Before the operation, the woman, as a rule, is sent for various tests, the choice of the method of intervention depends on the results of which. But during this period of the cycle, laboratory tests may not give accurate, and sometimes false results, which, of course, are associated with risks during surgery. For example, sometimes during menstruation, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the number of platelets and white blood cells changes. This may obscure the true health information of the patient after surgery.
- During menstruation, the blood properties of women change, in particular, this affects coagulation. It is noted that in patients during menstruation, bleeding during surgery occurs much more often.
- Moreover, in some women, the periods themselves are plentiful, so the percentage of blood loss is much higher, which is very dangerous for health.
- Some patients experience a decrease in the pain threshold during menstruation, so they become more sensitive to various medical procedures.
- A change in the hormonal background primarily affects the functioning of the immune system, which sometimes leads to an inadequate immune response to certain stimuli. Thus, the likelihood of developing an allergic reaction, bronchospasm increases. For example, a woman’s body during menstruation can respond to medications that do not cause allergies on other days.
- Menstruation to one degree or another is associated with blood loss, which is fraught with a decrease in hemoglobin level. Tissues damaged during surgery heal slowly. The risk of inflammation and infectious complications is also higher.
That is why doctors, as a rule, do not do surgery. During menstruation, various curettages, as well as surgical removal of the uterus, are contraindicated, since the risk of developing postoperative complications is very high. Of course, we are talking about planned, not emergency procedures.
When is the best surgical procedure?
You already know about whether the operation is performed during menstruation. The doctor will ask you about the time of the onset of menstruation and set the date for the procedure, paying attention to this information. Ideally, surgery should be performed on the 6-8th day from the start of the cycle. By the way, we are talking not only about gynecological procedures, but also about any type of surgical intervention.
Possible postoperative complications
Many women are interested in questions about whether it is possible to have surgery during menstruation. We have already figured out how a woman’s body changes during the menstrual cycle. Now it’s worth considering the most common complications.
- As already mentioned, the surgical procedure during this period is often accompanied by increased blood loss. This leads to a decrease in the number of red blood cells, a decrease in the level of hemoglobin, so the woman’s body after surgery is restored much longer.
- The risk of developing postoperative complications, in particular inflammation of damaged tissues, bacterial invasion, etc. is increased. This is due both to a weakening against the background of blood loss and a weakening of the immune system against the background of hormonal disruptions. Sometimes surgical wounds become inflamed even if all possible rules are followed and the maximum level of sterility is maintained.
- During menstruation, the mechanisms of collagen synthesis and metabolism change. That is why there is a likelihood of the formation of gross scars on the skin. Sometimes women are faced with such an unpleasant problem as keloid scars.
- Extensive hematomas often form on the skin after the procedure. By the way, there are minor hemorrhages in the subcutaneous fat.
- In places of bruising (hematomas), age spots sometimes appear on the skin. By the way, you should not panic - often they turn pale and disappear on their own after a few months.
- If we are talking about operations during which an implant or prosthesis is installed, then it is highly likely to be rejected.
Of course, this is far from always the case. Many women perfectly tolerate any surgical intervention even during menstruation, so the result of the procedure is very individual. On the other hand, you should not risk it, especially if it is possible to postpone the operation to a more suitable time.
Cosmetic procedures
Many women complain that before and during menstruation, hair is difficult to style, the skin becomes rash and becomes extremely sensitive, and gel polish does not stick to the nail plate. And the reason for this is the same changes in the hormonal background.
Any cosmetic procedures performed during menstruation may not bring results. Moreover, at this time it is important to abandon deep peeling procedures. Experts do not recommend piercing the skin for piercing or applying tattoos during this period. The introduction of Botox is also contraindicated.
How to delay the onset of menstruation medically?
Of course, modern medicine offers drugs that can delay the onset of menstruation.
- Women who take oral contraceptives are sometimes advised not to take interruptions in admission, continuing the course for up to 60 days. However, it must be understood that the longer the delay, the higher the likelihood of developing spontaneous, breakthrough bleeding.
- Progestogens are also effective, in particular Dufaston, Norkolut. Reception should begin in the second phase of the menstrual cycle and continue for several days after the operation. Thus, you can delay the onset of menstruation for 2 weeks.
Do not engage in such "therapy" on your own. All these drugs contain hormones in one quantity or another. Of course, their intake affects the general hormonal background, which can also lead to the development of complications after surgery. Take such medications only with the permission of the attending physician.
How to delay menstruation using folk remedies?
If for one reason or another it is impossible to delay the onset of menstruation with the help of medications, then you can turn to experts in traditional medicine for help. There are many decoctions that can affect the menstrual cycle.
- Nettle broth is considered effective. 2-3 tablespoons of chopped dried leaves, pour a glass of boiling water and keep on low heat for five minutes. After the agent is well infused, it can be filtered. The medicine is recommended to be taken twice a day in half a glass.
- Sometimes the onset of menstruation can be delayed with a decoction of tansy. You need to cook it the same way as the medicine from the nettle leaves. It is recommended to drink 200 ml per day. Reception should begin 2-3 days before the expected date of the onset of menstruation.
- The concentrated broth from parsley greens also helps. Two tablespoons of dry leaves (or fresh, chopped greens) pour a glass of boiling water and keep on fire for several minutes. Filter the cooled mixture and take. The daily dose is a glass of broth. Reception should begin 3-4 days before the onset of menstruation.
It should be understood that herbal decoctions act slowly and by no means always give a positive effect. Therefore, it is still not worth counting on the delay in menstruation, especially when it comes to preparing for surgical intervention.
When do menstruation do surgery?
We have already examined the question of why menstruation is considered a contraindication to surgery. Nevertheless, sometimes it is possible and even necessary to do surgery during menstruation. It is about emergency situations. If we are talking, for example, of appendicitis, internal bleeding and other emergency conditions, then the doctor is unlikely to pay attention to the day of the patient's menstrual cycle, because in this case it is about saving her life.
Conclusion
Is it possible to do surgery during menstruation? There is no single answer to this question. Of course, if we are talking about serious problems and emergency conditions, then there is no way to pay attention to the day of the menstrual cycle.
But doctors are trying to prescribe planned operations for a suitable date (6-8th day of the cycle). Of course, menstruation is not an absolute contraindication - often patients tolerate the procedure well. But it is worth keeping in mind that the likelihood of developing complications in this case is much higher. In any case, only the doctor makes a decision about whether to have an operation during menstruation or whether it is better to wait for their end.