Menopause After Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgical removal of a woman's uterus to provide relief from health ailments like uterine fibroids, endometriosis, persistent pain and bleeding. There are mainly three types of hysterectomy: total, partial and radical. In total or complete hysterectomy, the uterus and cervix is removed along with the ovaries and fallopian tubes. During partial hysterectomy, only the uterus is removed leaving the cervix and ovaries intact. In radical hysterectomy, the uterus, cervix, ovaries, lymph nodes and other supporting structures are removed. Generally, normal menopause occurs in women between ages 45 and 55, when the ovaries no longer contain functioning eggs and there is a drop in the hormonal levels of estrogen and testosterone, the sex hormones produce by the ovaries. Whether it is a partial, complete or radical hysterectomy, a woman undergoes a surgically induced menopause, that affects her childbearing ability and changes her hormonal levels considerably. Due to these hormonal changes or imbalances, a woman usually suffers early menopause after hysterectomy and some other hysterectomy side effects, that are explained below.

Menopause Post Hysterectomy

Menopause After Partial Hysterectomy
If a woman undergoes a partial hysterectomy, she is most likely to have a normal perimenopause and menopause. Hence, a woman can have menopause after going through hysterectomy. But it is difficult to detect when it's going to start, as there are no periods to identify the initial changes. In cases where one ovary is intact, the woman will enter into menopause naturally. Also, if the uterus is removed but the ovaries remain, the monthly menstrual cycle will cease while other menopause symptoms particularly experienced during menopause will commence at an earlier age.

Menopause After Complete Hysterectomy
Now when a woman undergoes complete hysterectomy, i.e. when both the ovaries along with uterus and fallopian tubes are removed, she is thrust abruptly into menopause which is also termed as surgical menopause. As a result, the woman dealing with this surgical menopause usually suffers devastating signs of menopause, than the woman who goes into menopause naturally. Some of the symptoms are:

• Hot flashes or feeling of warmth throughout the body that may last for 30 seconds to several minutes at a time. Besides this, the woman may also suffer red skin flushes followed by severe perspiration.
• Due to changes in the thinning tissues lining the urethra and vagina, probability of having urinary tract infections may increase.
• Cosmetic changes like increased body fat and decreased muscle mass, a thicker waist and dry skin.
• Night sweats, anxiety or depression.
• Risks of having urinary incontinence.
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Mood swings and fatigue.
• Decreased libido or sex drive.
• Chances of osteoporosis and arthritis.

After hysterectomy, a woman experiences physiological, emotional and psychosocial changes, which are expected and normal. Since, in most cases with natural menopause, a woman gets time to adjust, with surgical menopause, the woman normally face some physical and psychological difficulties. However, the bright side is the woman would experience her menopause for a shorter span of time than those who go through it naturally. After hysterectomy, usually a woman undergoes hormonal replacement therapy, (replacement of lost estrogen hormone) which some women may tolerate while others may not. Hence, regular exercise, well-balanced diet comprising fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, sardines), fruits, whole grains and vegetables, social interactions, positive attitude, along with proper medical care and a sound support system, will help her to adjust symptoms of surgical menopause and live a normal and healthy life after hysterectomy.