What is the Link Between Hysterectomy and Menopause?
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a woman's uterus. The removal may include the entire uterus or just the main body. It may also include the ovaries and fallopian tubes, although a very small number of doctors choose to leave these components when performing a hysterectomy.
Why a Hysterectomy May Be Necessary
Hysterectomies are a major surgery, and a woman will be unable to bear children after the procedure. Because it is such a serious surgery, it is only undertaken when absolutely necessary.
A hysterectomy is indicated in the case of some cancers in order to stop the spread of the disease. It may be performed following delivery of a baby if there are major problems with the uterus or placenta. Hysterectomy may be used as a last-resort treatment for endometriosis if all other treatments have failed.
Additionally, hysterectomies are very occasionally removed as a preventative measure in women whose families carry a long history of reproductive cancers. In this case, there should be a reason to believe that the woman would develop cancer of the reproductive system without a hysterectomy before the procedure is performed.
Is there an unbreakable link between hysterectomy and menopause? While hysterectomy and menopause are closely related, it is not entirely guaranteed that a woman will have a hysterectomy and then menopause will immediately begin.
After a woman undergoes a hysterectomy, her body may immediately be considered post-menopausal. This is not the case if the woman retains her ovaries, since they will continue to produce the female hormones. Your body will not be able to have periods anymore because the uterus will not be present, but the symptoms of menopause will not occur immediately.
You may find a link between hysterectomy and menopause that begins earlier than normal if the ovaries were not removed. The hormones produced by the ovaries may not be quite as strong as they were before the hysterectomy, and menopause symptoms could begin several years earlier than expected.
While there is certainly a relation between hysterectomy and menopause, you may find that your onset of menopause may actually be affected only very slightly following your hysterectomy.
If your hysterectomy does produce early menopause, it may be an emotionally trying experience for you. Your doctor may choose to put you on hormone replacement therapy to ease the physical symptoms of menopause, or you may take herbal supplements to cut down on menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue.
