Surgical Menopause

Surgical menopause occurs when a woman has both of her ovaries removed. In other cases when only one is removed, or when a hysterectomy has been performed, Menopause occurs naturally at around the same age. But when both ovaries are removed menopause often occurs and the symptoms may be much more severe than with non-surgical, or natural menopause. Women who experience surgical menopause may also be more prone to depression and experience a greater risk towards heart disease and osteoporsis.

The Symptoms of Surgical Menopause
Menopause can occur when surgery (a Hysterectomy or a bilateral Oophorectomy where both ovaries are removed) has taken place. The results can be very traumatic as a woman may experience sudden menopause when in fact she had been planning for it to happen at some point in the future.

The symptoms of surgical menopause include hot flashes, thyroid problems, night sweats, bladder infections, insomnia, increased appetite, hair loss, Incontinence, weight gain, irritability and anger, depression, decreased sexual desire, painful intercourse and vaginal dryness

The Concerns of Surgery
There a re a number of very important points to consider as a woman undergoes menopause due to surgery. With younger women the problems are more likely to be numerous and she should undergo blood and hormonal tests before surgery so that her primary healthcare providers will be able to determine her hormonal needs after surgery. Because of the very dramatic nature of the surgery and the situation, a specialist in

Hormonal therapy is greatly advised along with a thorough post surgery care plan. Furthermore, a series of referrals and second opinions are highly recommended before surgery and most of all, the patient should research her condition and the consequences of each therapeutic option before making a decision. Talking to someone who has had the exact same procedure will provide a wealth of information.

Here are some points to consider if surgery is the option you have selected. Talk to several surgeons and select the most qualified one possible. Try to get consultations with surgeons not affiliated with each other. Make sure to have your records with you at all times. Request a test for pre-operative baseline hormonal levels along with bone density testing. You’ll need this for regaining your pre-operative health levels. Make sure that the surgeon is board certified by your state.

Also it never hurts to check with the courthouse and see if the surgeon has any lawsuits directed at them. Inquire with a varied amount of medical professionals at all levels to make sure the surgeon will meet your needs i.e. nurses. Remember that after surgery you will be in the care of the hospital, so don’t go to one that is short staffed, under-funded or suffers from a bad reputation. Do not make a quick decision as you will live with the results for the rest of your life.

Investigate the treatment therapies you will undertake upon completion of surgery. You will need to decide whether you will pursue holistic, Hormone Replacement Therapy or other natural and herbal alternatives. Also make sure your aware of the menopausal symptoms and conditions and have an effective plan proposed to deal with the side effects.

Work with your Primary Healthcare provider in developing this plan. Make sure to meet with the anesthesiologist before surgery and ensure they understand your complete health and medication history. If they do not seem competent don’t go through with it. The anesthesiologist is one of the most important members of the surgical team, just as important as the surgeon for that matter.

Prepare for the days, procedures and affects you will experience after the surgery. From clothing, to food, including stocking up so that you will not have to go to the store afterwards, you will need to prepare extensively. Also have a list of questions ready for your doctors. Do not be afraid to ask any question and be prepared to deal with the answers. Always give yourself the room to re-evaluate in light of new information

The Symptoms of Surgical Menopause:
Upon removal of the ovaries, both of them to be specific, a state of menopause can occur. You should expect to enter a state in which you can some if not all the classic symptoms of menopause. These symptoms are:

Change in Menstrual pattern:
This can range from lighter or heavier flows to an abrupt stoppage of the cycle altogether. The period can also be longer or shorter and even skip altogether.

Hot Flashes:
This is a momentary sensation of heat is akin to eating a hot pepper it may cause sweating and a flushed face.

Night Sweats:
These are Hot Flashes at night along accompanied by sweating.

Anxiety and Depression:
Feelings that something bad is about to happen or that nothing good is happening. While anxiety is often more manic, depression symptoms can run the gamut of indicators from catatonic back to manic. But generally when you don’t feel right emotionally, it is one of these two factors.

Irritability and Mood Swings:
Short temper, explosive rage, sarcasm, happiness one moment a bleak outlook the next.

Sleep Problems:
You just can’t fall asleep even when you try to read a History of Victorian era Tennis.

Memory and the Inability to Focus:
Is this the third time this month you locked your keys in your car? You might just have menopause.

A Racing Heart without explanation:
Palpitations when there is no apparent activity or other explanation for a rapid succession of pounding heart beats.

Painful Sex and lack of interest in sexual activities. Vaginal dryness and itching contributing to make sex uncomfortable physically. Also there might be a lack of desire to even engage in the activity at all.

Once these symptoms begin it is time to implement the plan you developed to manage the symptoms. Your choices can range from Natural Hormonal Remedies and Treatments involving acupressure, acupuncture, deep breathing, massage, meditation and a wide variety of holistic health approaches to the widely used Hormone Replacement therapy.

Finally it’s important to manage the next phase of your body’s health with a positive mental attitude and a proactive eye towards treatment of your symptoms. Stay ahead of your condition and maintain body awareness along with being connected to a small group of women who have been through the same procedure and who are experiencing the same and different effects. Having somebody to share your concerns, pains, fear and hopes and dreams will be the most effective therapy you can provide yourself.

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