Surgical Menopause

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

“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
  3. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
  4. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  5. Surgical Menopause Can Menopause Cause Anxiety, Depression or Panic Attacks?
  6. Cancer Treatment – Early Menopause
  7. Causes of Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery
  8. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  9. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  10. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  11. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  12. Daisynetwork.org.uk [Daisy Network]
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  14. Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know Depression In Women
  15. Early Menopause
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  18. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
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  42. 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?
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  93. Women’s Wellness: Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Happen After Menopause
  94. Women’s Wellness: How To Treat Vaginal Dryness After Menopause
  95. Women’s Wellness: Hysterectomy Associated With Risk of Mental Health Issues
  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?

You may find the Sources quoted 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: 12 October 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: 12 October 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: 12 October 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: 12 October 2020
  5. Causes of Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery – Removal of Ovaries. Last Updated: 14 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause/ Accessed: 12 October 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: 12 October 2020
  7. Causes of Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery – Reactions To Surgical Menopause. Last Updated: 14 January  2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause/ Accessed: 12 October 2020
  8. Mental Health & Emotions: Depression, Anxiety & Menopause. Last Updated: 14 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/mental-health-emotions/ Accessed: 12 October 2020
  9. Factors Affecting Women: Menopause. Beyondblue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/women/factors-affecting-women Accessed: 12 October 2020
  10. Causes of Menopause: Induced Menopause – Reactions To Surgical Menopause. Last Updated: 14 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause/ Accessed: 12 October 2020
  11. Causes of Menopause: Induced Menopause – Reactions To Surgical Menopause. Last Updated: 14 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause/ Accessed: 12 October 2020

Topic Last Updated: 12 October 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 October 2020
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