You may be worried about the future effects of a hysterectomy if it has been recommended or if you are unsure if one is necessary. The uterus is removed, and sometimes the ovaries. It may or may cause symptoms of menopause to appear immediately.
Takeaways
- One in three women will have undergone a hysterectomy by the age of 60.
- In a hysterectomy, 55% of women have had their ovaries taken out.
- You can feel the symptoms of menopause immediately after undergoing a hysterectomy.
The second most common surgery in the world is a hysterectomy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three women have a hysterectomy before they reach 60 years old.
You will no longer have your period, and you won’t be able to become pregnant after a hysterectomy. Some people have their ovaries and uterus removed together.
You may not experience symptoms of menopause right away if you had only your uterus surgically removed during a hysterectomy. If your doctor removes both your ovaries and your uterus at the same time, you could experience menopause immediately. In the United States, about 55% of those who undergo a hysterectomy also have their ovaries taken out.
What is an hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of your uterus. You may have your uterus removed along with other reproductive tissues such as:
- Ovaries.
- Fallopian tubes.
- Cervix.
- Vaginal parts
It is important to know the reason behind your hysterectomy in order to determine which other reproductive organs will need removal. There are several types of hysterectomies depending on the organs that are being removed.
- A partial hysterectomy only removes the uterus.
- The uterus, cervix and the entire uterus are removed in a total-hysterectomy. The ovaries remain in place. This is the type hysterectomy that is most commonly performed.
- A total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy removes the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
- The uterus and fallopian tubes are removed, as well as the upper vagina, in a radical surgery. The surrounding tissue and nearby lymph nodes may be removed. It is only done in rare cases and when cancer is present.
Why would you require a hysterectomy?
Certain health conditions, such as:
- Adenomyosis.
- Chronic pelvic pain is a painful condition.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Fibroids (noncancerous tumors).
- Uterine prolapse (a dropped uterus).
A hysterectomy may be recommended if your risk of developing cancer in the cervix or breast is higher. For example, removing the fallopian tubes and keeping the ovaries can help prevent certain types of ovarian carcinoma.
What happens after an hysterectomy?
Your ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone which are vital hormones for reproductive and bone health. When you undergo a hysterectomy and have both ovaries taken out, your body will suddenly experience a drop in hormones. This is called surgical menopause. It may cause unpleasant side effects, such as:
- Hot flashes
- Reduced sexual drive.
- Vaginal Dryness
- Sleeping problems.
A hysterectomy that involves the removal of your eggs is a major procedure for your body. You may experience sudden hormonal changes that cause symptoms similar to . These include:
- Discomfort during sex.
- Dry skin, eyes or mouth.
- Joint pains and aches.
- You may have difficulty concentrating on things or you might forget them.
- Weight changes.
- Hair loss or thinning.
- Skin aging due to decreased skin fiber elasticity.
- Facial hair growth is increasing.
- Urinary incontinence.
All of these symptoms are signs of menopause. If they appear suddenly, after a hysterectomy or other traumatic event, the severity may be greater than if your menopause had occurred naturally. You may not experience symptoms of menopause if you do not have your ovaries taken out during a hysterectomy. You may experience menopause symptoms before the median age of 52. The ovarian blood supply is affected because the uterus, tubes and a part of the ovary were removed.
You can develop certain health conditions if you stop producing enough estrogen after a hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries. It is particularly true if you’re still several years from menopause. The Cleveland Clinic states that can include the following:
- Depression.
- Heart disease.
- Dementia.
- Osteoporosis is caused by a low bone mineral density.
- Parkinson’s disease.
After hysterectomy, rapid postmenopausal ageing occurs
Over half of those who undergo a hysterectomy have an age below 44. Hysterectomy rates are highest between 40 and 44 years old.
It may be suggested that you also have your ovaries taken out if you undergo a hysterectomy once you’ve reached postmenopause. It can prevent ovarian carcinoma. Some doctors only remove your ovaries when you have a higher risk of cancer, such as if there is a family history.
National Health Service reports that hormone levels decrease naturally after menopause. However, the ovaries continue to produce testosterone for as long as 20 years.
Lack of estrogen usually leads to rapid skin aging following a hysterectomy. If you had your ovaries taken out after menopause you may still have symptoms of low testosterone such as decreased sexual drive and pleasure.
How to handle these changes
A hysterectomy does not necessarily result in rapid aging. You may experience menopause several years earlier than average. You may experience menopause symptoms immediately after removing your ovaries and uterus. Your levels of progesterone and estrogen will drop sharply.
Speak to your doctor about hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). can help relieve some symptoms of menopause. You can decide whether HRT is the right choice for you.
Resources
- Future Medicine. Long-term effects of hysterectomy: a focus on the aging patient.
- CDC. Women’s Reproductive Health.
- Cleveland Clinic. Hysterectomy.
- OASH. Hysterectomy.
- NHS. Considerations.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Introduction to Menopause.
- Cleveland Clinic. Premature and Early Menopause.
