The National Library of Medicine reports that roughly 600,000 women in the United States undergo hysterectomies each year.
If you require a hysterectomy, you might be worried about surgical menopause. Although it doesn't always occur, it's important to know when menopause may happen after the procedure.
Dr. Darin L. Weyhrich is an experienced OB/GYN providing hysterectomies and other obstetric and gynecologic services at his office in Boise, Idaho. He discusses the procedure and the potential for menopause symptoms, as well as treatments to alleviate them.
A hysterectomy is a surgical option to remove the uterus, which may also involve the removal of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or cervix. It's an invasive procedure that requires anesthesia and a recovery period.
Because it's a surgical procedure, we don't offer it as the first line of treatment, unless necessary. However, you may need a hysterectomy if conservative treatments haven't alleviated the following issues:
We offer various forms of hysterectomies tailored to your health and individual needs. An abdominal hysterectomy involves taking the uterus out through a large abdominal incision, while a laparoscopic hysterectomy is minimally invasive and requires small incisions.
A total hysterectomy involves removing the entire uterus, including the cervix, while a partial hysterectomy leaves the cervix in place. We may also need to remove the fallopian tubes or ovaries.
A significant concern among women is going into menopause after a hysterectomy, but that's not always the case. A hysterectomy that only involves the removal of the uterus doesn't put you into menopause, because the ovaries are still in place.
Only women who have their ovaries removed will go into surgical menopause, which typically begins right after surgery. We make every attempt to preserve the ovaries unless it's necessary to remove them.
Even women who have the uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes won't go into menopause after surgery, as long as the ovaries stay, but why? The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone, which are the main hormones that regulate menstruation.
Although these hormones begin to decline after the childbearing years, you won't go into menopause after a hysterectomy if the ovaries are still producing them. However, women who have a hysterectomy without ovary removal may enter menopause earlier than usual.
After ovary removal and a hysterectomy, we provide you with the tools and treatments you need to control menopause symptoms. We discuss what happens after surgery and what to expect from menopause.
Some women have symptoms that they can deal with using lifestyle modifications or over-the-counter remedies. For example, keeping a fan in your room to alleviate hot flashes or practicing mindfulness techniques to manage mood swings can be helpful.
If the rush of menopause symptoms after a hysterectomy is too much, we offer hormone replacement therapy. The goal of hormone therapy is to replace estrogen, a key component in controlling menopause symptoms.
After a hysterectomy, we typically recommend estrogen-only HRT because it has fewer risks than combined HRT. We discuss any concerns or questions you have to make your transition into menopause as smooth as possible.
Call our office in Boise, Idaho, today to discuss a hysterectomy or menopause, or book an appointment online to see Darin L. Wehyrich, MD.
