“Removal of both ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) before a woman has gone through her natural menopause is called “surgical menopause””.1

Umbrella
What may the Surgical Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Menopause Due To Surgery
  • Surgical Menopause
  • Surgically-Induced Menopause

Definition

What is surgical menopause?

DotS the definition of surgical menopause may vary. The Australasian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:

  • “Removal of both ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) before a woman has gone through her natural menopause is called “surgical menopause””.2

Menopause

Does a surgical menopause result in menopause?

In Hysterectomy – Considerations: Surgical Menopause the (United Kingdom) NHS (National Health Service) explain:

“If you have a total or radical hysterectomy that removes your ovaries, you’ll experience the menopause immediately after your operation, regardless of your age. This is known as a surgical menopause”.3

Menopause Symptoms

Are the symptoms of surgical menopause the same as for menopause?

In Surgical Menopause: Indications for Surgical Menopause the AMS elaborate on:

“Although surgical menopause is common, there have been remarkably few studies which have followed women before and after oophorectomy to try and understand how surgery affects their menopausal symptoms and short and long term health”.4

After oophorectomy the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) note:

“When the ovaries are removed, the levels of oestrogen and testosterone in the body fall; within 24 hours of the surgery, their levels fall by 50%. This can result in severe menopausal symptoms that interfere with daily life. Some symptoms start within 48 hours of surgery, while others can develop later”.5

In Instant Help for Induced Menopause the North American Menopause Society also note:

“With surgical menopause, menopause occurs abruptly, on the day of surgery”.6

Reactions

Are reactions to surgical menopause one-size-fits-all?

In Causes of Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery – Reactions To Surgical Menopause the JH explain:

“How you react can be influenced by the reason for the surgery. If your surgery is necessary because of a diagnosis of cancer, this creates challenges to cope with at the same time as coping with menopausal symptoms. On the other hand, if your surgery is the solution to ongoing chronic pain, then a surgical menopause may offer relief. What’s happening in your life will affect your reactions to surgical menopause. This includes your age, whether you are in a relationship, whether you have children, whether you wanted to have children or more children, and whether you have support and help”.7

Depression

Is there an association between surgical menopause and depression?

In Mental Health & Emotions: Depression, Anxiety & Menopause the JH elaborate on:

Surgical Menopause“Research suggests women who have a surgical menopause and/or an early menopause are more likely to experience a clinical depression than women who have menopause at the expected age. This seems to be influenced by the more sudden drop in hormones that comes with a surgical menopause, and it might also be related to the illness that caused the surgery in the first place, such as a cancer diagnosis”.8

The (Australian) Beyondblue also note:

“Women who experience surgical or early menopause can be at even greater risk of depression. It is important to speak to your doctor about your wellbeing as well as your physical health. Treatment and support is available. Activities such as eating well and keeping active – and doing the things you enjoy – are key to improving your wellbeing during menopause”.9

Health Care Provider

What if I have not bounced back after surgical menopause?

If you have not bounced back after surgical menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Causes of Menopause: Induced Menopause – Menopause Due To Surgery: Reactions To Surgical Menopause the JH note:

“A surgical menopause can be a difficult time for many women. Menopausal symptoms are often severe, and depression and anxiety are more likely”.10

The JH also explain:

“No feeling should be dismissed as silly or small. It is important to talk to someone if you are upset and distressed about a surgical menopause. You can ask your doctor for help with symptom relief and with referral to a psychologist to discuss your feelings”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Surgical Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Surgical Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.
  1. 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  2. Anxiety: What You Need To Know
  3. Association of Premature Natural and Surgical Menopause With Incident Cardiovascular Disease
  4. Being Positive About Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause
  5. Bioidentical Custom Compounded Hormone Therapy
  6. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
  7. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  8. Can Menopause Cause Anxiety, Depression or Panic Attacks?
  9. Cancer Treatment – Early Menopause
  10. Causes of Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery
  11. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  12. Surgical MenopauseCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  13. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  14. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  15. Daisynetwork.org.uk [Daisy Network]
  16. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  17. Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know
  18. Early Menopause
  19. Early Menopause [Video]
  20. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners
  21. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
  22. Earlymenopause.org.nz [New Zealand Early Menopause: NZ Early Menopause Support Group]
  23. Gynaecological Cancers
  24. HRT and Breast Cancer: Overall Risks and Benefits Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  25. HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  26. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  27. Hot Flashes: Manage Without Medication?
  28. Hot Stuff: What’s New About Hot Flashes?
  29. Hysterectomy
  30. Hysterectomy
  31. Hysterectomy
  32. Infographic: Women and Heart Disease
  33. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  34. Instant Help for Induced Menopause
  35. Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
  36. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  37. Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
  38. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Estrogen Replacement Therapy After Ovary Removal
  39. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Managing the Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause
  42. Menopause
  43. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  44. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause
  45. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause – Q. I’m Facing A Hysterectomy With Removal of My Ovaries, So I’m Going To Have An Induced Menopause. Is It Different From Natural Menopause?
  46. Menopause Matters: So is MHT safe? and should women stop MHT because of a paper published in the Lancet in recent weeks?
  47. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  48. Menopause – What are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  49. Menopause – Will It Affect My Sex Life? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  50. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  51. Menopause: Early (Premature) Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  52. Menopause: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [Video Interview Stories]
  53. Menopause: Loss of Fertility [Video Interview Stories]
  54. Menopause: Medicines To Help You
  55. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  56. Menopause: Non-HRT and Lifestyle Options [Video Interview Stories]
  57. Menopause: Non-Hormonal Treatment & Relief for Hot Flashes
  58. Mental & Emotional Health
  59. Mental Health & Emotions
  60. Mood Changes and Depression
  61. Moodzone: Talking Therapies Explained – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  62. My Life Check | Life’s Simple 7
  63. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  64. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  65. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  66. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopause
  67. Night Sweats
  68. Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  69. NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  70. Osteoporosis Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  71. Personal Stories
  72. Premature & Early Menopause
  73. Premature & Early Menopause: Complications of Premature & Early Menopause
  74. Premature & Early Menopause: Management & Treatment of Premature & Early Menopause Symptoms
  75. Premature & Early Menopause: Mental Health & Emotions
  76. Risks and Benefits of MHT/HRT
  77. Sex and Relationships After the Menopause
  78. Sex and the Woman With Cancer
  79. Surgical Menopause
  80. Surgical Menopause | Ask Dr Jean
  81. Symptoms of Menopause
  82. Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  83. The Menopause – Surgical Menopause
  84. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause [Booklet]
  85. Vaginal Dryness
  86. Vaginal Dryness
  87. Video Series-2018 – Moisturizers, Lubricants, and Prasterone
  88. Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
  89. Video Series-2019 – What Is New In Hormone Therapy?
  90. Video Series-2019 – What You Need To Know About Mood During the Menopause Transition
  91. Video Series-2020 – Bone Health What You Need To Know
  92. What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
  93. What It Means To Go Red for Women [+ Video]
  94. Will Menopause Affect My Sex Life? [+ Video]
  95. Women’s Wellness: Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Happen After Menopause
  96. Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
  97. Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause
  98. Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Without Hormones [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  99. Surgical MenopauseWorld Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2018 – Patient Information Leaflet: Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause [Multiply Languages]
  100. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2019 – Patient Information Leaflet: Testosterone for Women At Midlife [Multiply Languages]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted above?

You may find the Sources at:

Sources

  1. Surgical Menopause: Key Points. Content Created: January 2017. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/756-surgical-menopause Accessed: 22 January 2020
  2. Surgical Menopause: Key Points. Content Created: January 2017. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/756-surgical-menopause Accessed: 22 January 2020
  3. Hysterectomy – Considerations – Surgical Menopause. Page Last Reviewed: 01 February 2019. NHS (National Health Service) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/considerations/#surgical-menopause Accessed: 22 January 2020
  4. Surgical Menopause: Indications for Surgical Menopause. Content Created: January 2017. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/756-surgical-menopause Accessed: 22 January 2020
  5. Causes of Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery – Removal of Ovaries. Last Updated 13 December 2019 — Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause/ Accessed: 22 January 2020
  6. Instant Help for Induced Menopause. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/instant-help-for-induced-menopause Accessed: 22 January 2020
  7. Causes of Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery – Reactions To Surgical Menopause. Last Updated 13 December 2019 — Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause/ Accessed: 22 January 2020
  8. Mental Health & Emotions: Depression, Anxiety & Menopause. Last Updated 13 December 2019 — Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions/ Accessed: 22 January 2020
  9. Factors Affecting Women: Menopause. Beyondblue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/women/factors-affecting-women Accessed: 22 January 2020
  10. Causes of Menopause: Induced Menopause – Reactions To Surgical Menopause. Last Updated 13 December 2019 — Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause/ Accessed: 22 January 2020
  11. Causes of Menopause: Induced Menopause – Reactions To Surgical Menopause. Last Updated  13 December 2019 — Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause/ Accessed: 22 January 2020
Topic Last Updated: 22 January 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 22 January 2020
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