Menopause After Hysterectomy

If you have not yet entered menopause, but is expected to have a hysterectomy you are probably wondering if there is a link between the two.

Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus is the second most common operation among women. The uterus is the organ in the abdomen, where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant. And the uterus is removed during hysterectomy.

The ovaries, which produce eggs and hormones in women, may also be removed. This combination is called a hysterectomy and oophorectomy.

The doctors decide that hysterectomy should be performed for many reasons. In only 10% of cases, the procedure is done to treat cancer of the reproductive organs. The remaining 90% of hysterectomies are performed for noncancerous conditions. Among them, endometriosis, where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, which often leads to chronic pain.

Women who have fibroids, which are not cancerous tumors of the uterus, often need a hysterectomy and, because the condition can cause pain or bleeding.

Whatever the reason for hysterectomy, removal of the uterus itself does not trigger the onset of menopause.

This is confusing for many patients, because menopause is technically defined as the secession of the menstrual cycle of 12 consecutive months. However, women who undergo a hysterectomy to stop her period immediately after the procedure.

However the onset of menopause when the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. The woman, who had a hysterectomy, still have their ovaries. They will not until their menopause slows the production of hormones naturally as they age.

It is important to understand that women who have had their ovaries removed, are in a different situation. When the ovaries are removed with the uterus, the hormone production stops and the menopause will begin immediately after surgery.

If your doctor decides you are a good candidate for a hysterectomy or oophorectomy, be sure to discuss procedures for short and long term on your body.

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