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Surgically Induced Menopause & Libido

Women who enter menopause due to surgery often face the sudden onset of symptoms that naturally induced menopause gradually introduces to the body. Menopause can impact libido following surgically induced menopause which can be frustrating; however, understanding the reasons for the impact and how long it will last can help alleviate that frustration.

  1. Induced Menopause

    • The term induced menopause is used when menopause is forced upon a body through medical methods including certain medications and illnesses. However, the most common cause of induced menopause is surgery.
      For many women surgically induced menopause creates a sudden set of symptoms because they have not been able to go through the gradual perimenopause period leading up to menopause. All ovary function is lost in surgically induced menopause.

    Sex Drive

    • While each woman experiences different levels of discomfort or symptoms when entering menopause, most women who go through surgically induced menopause experience symptoms that can include hot flashes and a significant reduction in sexual drive.

    Causes

    • There are several factors that contribute to a loss of sexual drive following a surgically induced menopause. Surgery that immediately cuts off all ovarian functions (due to removal of the ovaries) creates a sudden drop in hormones produced by the ovaries. This hormone reduction creates a loss of sexual drive for many women.
      The reduction in estrogen that occurs when the ovaries no longer exist can create vaginal symptoms that can become serious including a severe dryness, which makes the idea of sexual activity unappealing.
      In addition, atrophy of the vaginal walls can occur causing reduced sensitivity as well as an area that is easily irritated through sexual contact. This can reduce a woman's sexual drive.
      Induced menopause sometimes causes the clitoris to be affected which in turn can reduce any sensations.

    Increased Libido

    • For some women, the libido actually increases following surgically induced menopause because they have finally been relieved of pelvic pain, bleeding and cramps that led to the surgery. This can create a mental state in which the woman feels comfortable and has a measurable increase in libido.

    Treatment

    • Women who experience a reduced sex drive following a surgically induced menopause can turn to their physician for treatment. Many times, a course of medications designed to replace the lost ovarian hormones will be given, however, for some women, particularly those with cancer will not be able to participate in hormone therapy.
      In addition to hormone therapy, women with a reduced sex drive caused by surgically induced menopause can turn to sex therapist or a psychologist to help with the transition into a menopausal state.

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