Hysterectomy and Menopause

Many people may assume that all hysterectomies will result in a sudden onset of menopause since the woman no longer possesses all of her reproductive organs. However, this is not always the case.

First of all, there are various types and degrees of hysterectomies and methods in which they are done. A partial hysterectomy deals only with the removal of the uterus (leaving the fallopian tubes and ovaries intact) and usually is a complete removal of the uterus. Occasionally just part of the uterus has to be removed, leaving the cervix intact. In these cases a woman should still get regular gynecological screenings (pap smears) to test for cervical cancer.

A complete hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. There are three methods of surgery for partial and complete hysterectomies. The first is a vaginal hysterectomy wherein a vaginal incision is made to complete the procedure. The second is an abdominal hysterectomy using an abdominal incision. And the third procedure is a laproscopic hysterectomy which utilizes special cameras to perform the operation from the inside out.

There are various risks involved in these procedures, which will be discussed later in this article. There are also some non-surgical alternatives which will also be disclosed as you continue reading. The important thing to keep in mind is to always get a second and even a third opinion when your doctor advises a hysterectomy as a course of action for you. Surgery is a very invasive, painful thing for your body to go through and you should always try to exhaust all other options first and use surgery as a last resort.

There are various ailments and diseases that create a need for a doctor to order a hysterectomy. The two most common ones are fibroids in the uterus (non cancerous growths in the uterus that usually form during childbirth) and endometriosis. Endometriosis is when the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) begins to collect in the woman’s body, forming deposits which can sometimes cause severe pain. These deposits can collect in various places such as the bladder, uterus, or bowel. Other reasons hysterectomies can be needed are in cases of ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, or endometrial cancer; cervical dysplasia; prolapse of the uterus; severe, chronic vaginal bleeding unable to be controlled by medications; or complications during childbirth.

Now to the question of whether the onset of menopause always immediately follows any hysterectomy. It is actually only about one in every four American women who enter menopause as the result of a hysterectomy. It is primarily the loss of the ovaries which triggers menopause. In fact, it’s a rule without exception: surgical removal of both your ovaries (this is called a bilateral oophorectomy) will without fail trigger menopause at any age. This leads us to the remaining three out of four American women who don’t go immediately into menopause; those who had partial hysterectomies and still possess their ovaries. Most of these women won’t necessarily go straight into menopause. The reason is, that with the uterus removed, the ovaries are still able to make hormones. While you won’t have periods anymore, your body will still go through a type of monthly cycle which can sometimes still cause symptoms of PMS. Women who still have their ovaries, but aren’t going through menopause yet, may still experience hot flashes due to the disturbance of blood flow to the ovaries during surgery.

In a recent study women who received a hysterectomy, after a short period of time began to feel much better emotionally and experience less discomfort from having intercourse.

In conclusion, while a hysterectomy may be conducted to save a patients life, to reduce pain or even for precautionary measures, it does not necessarily mean the woman will enter a menopausal state. No matter what, a patient will have to reach the decision as to whether hormone replacement therapy will be right for her, either having had a hysterectomy or not having had one. It is important that patients seek counseling from a wide variety of sources including a primary healthcare provider, family, friends, support groups, mentors and books. Researching and getting answers to your specific health needs are going to be the strongest tools a patient will need to have in order to manage her health as she approaches the inevitable state of menopause. The most important factor which will make the difference in emotional well being and consequent good health is connection and support. It’s too hard to go it alone so reach out and find the resources that are there for you.

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