The womb (uterus in medical terms) is a key organ that defines women and their reproductive potential. As soon as reproductive maturity is achieved, the uterus always keeps itself ready for carrying a pregnancy. It’s a dynamic organ that responds in a predictable manner to female hormones that are produced by the ovaries.
If pregnancy fails to occur, the lining of the uterus is shed away as a monthly period. In the event of a pregnancy, the uterine function changes to an environment that can support the pregnancy. There is thus no monthly period until after the baby is born. This cycle of events continues till the menopause, but can also be interrupted by disease processes or hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).
Having had a hysterectomy is the commonest reason for a woman not to have a uterus. There are also some rare medical conditions when women are born without a uterus.
A hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure and has irreversible reproductive implications. Thus a decision to have one done should not be taken lightly, especially in young women in whom child-bearing is incomplete. The contemporary Gynecological practice has revolutionized treatment options for various conditions. Thus the majority of women with bleeding problems, fibroids, pelvic pain, or even pregnancy-related complications can be managed conservatively without resorting to a hysterectomy. Hysterectomy however still has a role in conditions like major pregnancy or abortion-related bleeding (where other measures have failed); cancer of the uterus and ovaries; or if conservative measures for other conditions have failed.
Women should confidently ask several questions if a hysterectomy is advised. They should be told what complications may happen, the cost, alternative treatment options (including doing nothing), and what the benefits of the hysterectomy would be. If any of the answers are unclear, a second opinion should be sought.
Now that some women want to trap men so that they can be married, how can a man tell whether a woman has a womb or not?
There is no single man who can tell that a physically normal-looking woman has no uterus. Some clues may be evident though. A woman without a uterus will not have monthly periods. She will also not need any contraception and will not worry about getting pregnant. The only sure way of knowing is by the woman volunteering the information, or getting a Gynecological examination and a pelvic ultrasound scan done.