Surgical Menopause

Surgical menopause is when the ovaries are removed (a procedure known as oophorectomy) before natural menopause. The procedure causes a permanent and sudden drop in ovarian hormone, progesterone, and estrogen as well as testosterone production. The oophorectomy surgical procedure may include another procedure called a hysterectomy; which refers to the removal of the uterus (womb). This type of surgery can urge menopausal symptoms to occur much more dramatically.

Hysterectomies can be performed either in total - which means both the uterus and ovaries are removed - and in sub-total which means the uterus is removed, but the ovaries remain. If the surgery is sub-total, menstrual periods stop, while other menopausal symptoms occur naturally at the same age that they normally would. However, in some cases, women who undergo a hysterectomy may experience menopausal symptoms at an earlier age.

Surgical menopause can also be affected by pelvic radiation treatment. This type of menopause happens so quickly that women often feel more intense symptoms and at a younger age post-surgery, compared to women who experience natural menopause. The recovery from an oophorectomy, hysterectomy or pelvic radiation surgery involves both physical and mental healing in order for women to adjust to the rapid changes within their bodies.

Although not every woman experiences menopausal symptoms, if you experience surgical menopause you will experience most of the following symptoms in a more severe manner,compared to women who go through menopause naturally:

• Hot flashes
• Insomnia
• Night sweats
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Vaginal dryness
• Decreased sex drive
• Bladder infections
• Irritability
• Incontinence

Natural hormone therapy (or NHT) is a more popular treatment for any perimenopausal, menopausal and surgical menopausal woman. Meanwhile, estrogen replacement therapy is also highly recommended by professionals for women who have had their ovaries removed. No matter what kind of menopause you experience, exercise, vitamin supplements and a healthy diet are vital to support a healthy hormone balance.