Coping With Menopause After Hysterectomy

Many women worry about menopause after hysterectomy. The question is often asked; "how would I know if I have started menopause during hysterectomy?" The cause of menopause is ovarian failure or the removal of the ovaries. During hysterectomy, if the ovaries are removed, a woman goes through menopause.

There are various gynaecological reasons why many women undergo a hysterectomy. Amongst these are unbearable periods which are controlled by medical means, endometriosis, prolapse and fibroids.

About Ovaries

Now, if one or both of the ovaries are conserved in the woman’s body (that is, if they are left behind after a hysterectomy), then menopause continues as the ovaries continue their production until the normal menopausal age. The hormones produced fluctuate and this might cause pre-menstrual symptoms or PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) in women, even without having a period.

It is also possible that, following a hysterectomy, the ovaries might stop producing hormones entirely or at least sooner than expected. If they stop producing hormones sooner than expected, symptoms of oestrogen deficiency may be recognizable. At this point, it is highly recommended that the situation is discussed with a medical professional and a medical course of action is decided upon. Menopause after hysterectomy, therefore, can be quite complex.

Now, if the ovaries have been entirely removed during the hysterectomy, menopause after hysterectomy becomes a different situation once again. A sudden loss of ovarian production will occur, naturally, and the symptoms of menopause will essentially take place all at once and within a few days of this procedure which is sometimes called “surgical menopause”. The risk factors of osteoporosis are also present in these cases because of the difference in blood and fluid levels in the body.

So, depending on the procedure menopause after hysterectomy can either occur at quite a normal rate or can fluctuate greatly and produce some undesirable results. Regardless of the option you select for ovary removal or conservation, it is important to keep in touch with a medical professional at all times in the days and weeks following the hysterectomy procedure.

Hysterectomy can be a matter of personal preference for some women but there are other facts to consider. One of these is the family's medical history. A hysterectomy rarely needs to be performed urgently except in the case of uncontrolled bleeding after giving birth or cancer. It's good policy to seek a second opinion if you have been advised to have a hysterectomy for a non-cancerous condition. Investigating all your options will allow you to make an informed decision during a time which can only be described as an emotional one for a woman.