Surgically induced menopause is the result of a hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and other organs in the reproductive system. While some women move into menopause gradually as they age, those with surgically induced menopause will find the change in their bodies and hormones an abrupt and disconcerting change. Women who have their uterus removed will not experience menstruation and those who remove ovaries will experience immediate menopause.
Reasons for Surgery
Women who experience a great deal of pain or heavy bleeding with menstruation may make the decision to have a hysterectomy if they decide not to have any more children. A hysterectomy is a serious surgery and should be considered carefully. Emergency hysterectomies are performed to save a woman's life if she is experiencing uncontrolled excessive bleeding after childbirth or advanced cancer. Alternative treatments should be sought before a hysterectomy.
Symptoms
Menopausal symptoms are the same for surgically induced menopause and natural menopause. Women who experience induced menopause will have a need for treatment immediately after surgery and are more likely to require treatment for a longer period of time. Hot flashes, decreased sex drive, vaginal dryness, headaches, irritability, night sweats, sleep issues, and depression and anxiety are symptoms of menopause. Women who have undergone surgical menopause may experience these symptoms more severely than women who arrive at menopause naturally and gradually.
Treatments
Hormone replacement therapy is often the treatment used for women experiencing surgically induced menopause. Hormone levels drop immediately after surgery and replacing those hormones is necessary to relieve the symptoms of menopause and to prevent long-term illnesses such as osteoporosis. Antidepressants are prescribed to women going through menopause to decrease hot flashes and depression. Using antidepressants to treat surgically induced menopause is that they may increase sexual dysfunctions.
Alternative Treatments
Herbal remedies that are used to treat menopause may also help surgically induced menopausal symptoms as well. Black cohosh is an herbal treatment that is used for hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It is only recommended for use for six months at a time. The effects of the herb beyond this time are unknown. Angelica is also used to treat hot flashes and night sweats in traditional Chinese medicine. Discuss the use of herbal treatments with your doctor. Some herbal medications can counteract the effects of other medications that you may be taking.
Counseling
Women who are thrust into menopause because of an emergency surgery may need counseling to cope with the symptoms and new condition of their body. Women who arrive at menopause gradually will have the benefit of time to accept the change in their body. Those who are experiencing menopause because of an emergency surgery or even an elective hysterectomy will not have this benefit. Counseling can help a woman cope with her loss and come to terms with the new life that begins after surgery.
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