What Is Hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a medical procedure in which a woman’s uterus is surgically removed so that she does not suffer from illnesses such as continuous pain or bleeding, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Hysterectomies are usually of three types, namely total, partial and radical.
- Total Hysterectomy – In a total hysterectomy the ovaries, cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes are taken out.
- Partial Hysterectomy – In a partial hysterectomy only uterus is taken out.
- Radical Hysterectomy – In a radical hysterectomy the ovaries, cervix, uterus, lymph nodes and other sustaining structures are removed.
Menopause and its Symptoms
Menopause in women can begin from the age of 45 to 55. This happens when the eggs stop to function and there is a considerable drop in the level of the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone. No matter what type of hysterectomy is carried out it always triggers surgically stimulated menopause which has an effect on a woman’s child bearing abilities. This drastic change in hormonal levels is one of the main causes of symptoms of menopause.
Menopause and Hysterectomy
Women that undergo Hysterectomy will experience the symptoms of menopause or early menopause. Medically this condition is termed as “induced menopause” Let us look into the finer details…
Induced Menopause due to Partial Hysterectomy
In a partial hysterectomy, women are more probable to peri-menopause and menopause. A hysterectomy is usually one of the onsets of menopause, though it is difficult to detect and the symptoms of menopause can appear at a later stage. If one ovary does not function properly then a woman can go through natural menopause. Moreover, if the uterus is taken out and the ovaries are left, the monthly menstrual cycle will stop though other symptoms of menopause will appear at an earlier age.
Induced Menopause due to Complete Hysterectomy
When a complete hysterectomy takes place in a woman, that is, when the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes are removed, menopause commences immediately. This is also known as surgical menopause. A surgically induced menopause usually shows more drastic symptoms of menopause than when a woman begins menopause naturally. Some of these symptoms are listed below:
- Hot flashes and night sweats or sudden increase of temperature that starts from face and spreads throughout the body is experienced. The usual span of these symptoms is around half an hour. Accompanying symptoms are usually reddened face and skin, profuse sweating that is followed by experience of chill (in few cases).
- Due to changes in the hormone levels, thinning of endothelial tissues present as inside lining of the urethra and vagina occurs that makes them prone to increased possibility of urinary tract and vaginal infections.
- Another common symptom that is experienced by women is decreased ration of muscle mass to body fat, and even distribution of fats (leading to thicker waist)
- Skin itching and dry skin
- Psychological issues like heavy depression, loss of desire, anxiety
- Urinary incontinence.
- Insomnia or lack of sleep
- Constant and frequent irritation and mental or physical fatigue.
- Lack of sex drive.
- Increased vulnerability to osteoporosis and arthritis.
Usually after a hysterectomy a woman undergoes certain physiological, psychosocial and emotional changes. Most women who have natural menopause are able to adjust with these factors but for women who undergo this surgical process it is more difficult to cope up with these symptoms. Though on the other hand, women who experience surgically induced menopause go through a shorter menopause than ones who go through natural menopause.
HRT
A good treatment for this is known as Hormone Replacement Therapy. While earlier such treatments used synthetically manufactured hormones, due to the results of few studies (showing their side effects), new viable and safer option of bioidentical hormones has come forth. Moreover, recent advancements have led to individualized administration of bioidentical hormones with shorter doses. Women, who keep a healthy diet, exercise daily, eat lot of fish, grains and fruit will be able to fare better and cope more properly with surgical menopause.
