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Signs & Symptoms of Surgical Menopause

Surgical menopause occurs when both ovaries are removed before natural menopause. Women have varying types of experiences with surgical menopause and some issues can be more serious. In addition to physical symptoms there can be psychological implications. You might go through it with very mild symptoms or you could have great difficulty.

  1. Symptoms

    • Hormones are produced primarily by your ovaries and when these organs are removed your hormone levels drop, resulting in a variety of symptoms. You might have some or all of these symptoms, in varying degrees. They include hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, depression, mood swings, vaginal dryness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory problems, weight gain, urinary incontinence and decreased interest in sex.

    How it is Different

    • Surgical menopause is different than natural menopause in several ways. Because it is sudden, you do not have a gradual transition into menopause. You can have more intense symptoms than those who go through natural menopause. You might be younger than women who have natural menopause. To make matters worse, you must recover from a major surgical procedure as well as having to adjust to menopause both mentally and physically.

    Hormone Replacements

    • There are different types of hormone replacements. A combined estrogen-progestin therapy is called HRT. According to Facing Our Risk of Cancer, studies have shown that HRT can increase the risk of breast cancer. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) does not seem to increase the risk. Bioidentical hormones that have been tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration are available by prescription, according to the North American Menopause Society Foundation. However, custom compounded preparations are not FDA approved and can be harmful.

    Osteoporosis

    • Your lowered levels of estrogen can result in osteopenia, the loss of bone density. The more serious condition of osteoporosis is when the bone loss weakens your bones and increases your risk of fractures. Routine bone density tests are usually recommended to monitor bone loss. Medications exist that can reduce the risk of fractures, but they can have side effects or increase the risk of cancer. You can help to decrease your risk of osteoporosis by doing weight-bearing or resistance exercises. Calcium supplements are often recommended for post-menopausal women.

    Managing Surgical Menopause

    • Management of surgical menopause is individual. You might be given hormone replacements or herbal remedies such as black cohosh or soy. In some cases, antidepressants or other medications are prescribed. Symptoms of menopause can be frustrating and disruptive to your life. You should discuss your particular situation with your health care providers to determine how best to manage it.

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