Women often wonder what effect a hysterectomy will have on menopause and just as there are options to the type of hysterectomy available, there are different possibilities regarding the outcome.
With natural menopause, the ovaries stop producing eggs, which means that the monthly cycle stops. The woman is then no longer capable of bearing children. This normal process includes post menopause, which becomes occurs one the cycle has ceased for a one year. Usually menopause begins around the early 50`s at which time the body no longer produces estrogen andprogesterone.
However, if the ovaries remain intact after surgery, then you will not have the symptoms of menopause as the ovaries will still be producing hormones. You may still experience PMS as you did when you had your monthly cycle, due to these hormones. It is possible that you may also begin menopause a few years earlier than you would have done prior to your hysterectomy. It is possibly that after a hysterectomy, the ovaries may cease to function properly, but the symptoms of this may not be apparent. This is due to the estrogen level falling. To insure against this, for those women who had a hysterectomy under the age of 45, visit your health professional to have annual blood tests. The blood will then be tested to establish hormone levels within the body and will highlight whether or not an early menopause is probable.
Of course a hysterectomy may be the only remaining option available to relieve serious medical conditions, but it is still important to remember that it is an irreversible operation. If you are considering having a hysterectomy, it is a good idea to write down a list of questions that you want to ask your surgeon.
Some good questions to ask would be:
Have I explored every option available to me?
What would be the impact on my life if I have/didn`t have a hysterectomy?
Will I be completely free of all symptoms after the operation?
Are there any possible side effects and how severe are they likely to be?
What is the recovery time and after care requirements?
Once you have the answers, you will be better placed to decide if this is the right decision for you and your family.
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