How Will a Hysterectomy Affect Hormones and Menopause?
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Are you considering a hysterectomy and wondering how it will affect your hormones? The answer depends on the type of surgery you have and whether your ovaries are removed. If your hysterectomy includes the removal of the ovaries, it can trigger early menopause and symptoms like hot flashes.
At Essential Women's Health Associates, serving Las Vegas and Henderson, NV, board-certified OBGYN Dr. Samantha Schoenhaus helps patients understand their options and manage low estrogen. Learn more by calling for a consultation.
What is a hysterectomy?
First, what is a hysterectomy? This common procedure is done to remove part or all of the uterus. It may be recommended for conditions like painful uterine fibroids, pelvic organ prolapse, or treatment-resistant endometriosis that haven't responded to other treatments. In some cases, the ovaries are also removed, which can impact your hormone levels.
At Essential Women's Health Associates, procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques, like robotic-assisted or laparoscopic surgery. These methods use small incisions instead of one large abdominal cut, resulting in faster recoveries, less pain, smaller scars, and shorter hospital stays.
Does a hysterectomy cause menopause?
The effect on your hormones depends on whether your ovaries are removed:
- If your ovaries are preserved: You won't go into menopause right away. Your ovaries will continue to produce estrogen and other hormones, though you may reach menopause naturally a few years earlier than expected.
- If your ovaries are removed: This triggers surgical menopause, and early menopause occurs regardless of your age. Without the ovaries producing estrogen, menopausal symptoms begin right away.
Surgical menopause can be more abrupt and intense than natural menopause because you may experience low estrogen suddenly rather than gradually declining over time.
Symptoms of menopause after hysterectomy
If your ovaries are removed during a total hysterectomy, you may experience the following symptoms of menopause:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood changes, like irritability or anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Decreased libido
- Chronic fatigue
Low estrogen can also increase your risk of bone loss and heart disease over time. Hormone replacement therapy and other treatments can help manage these unwanted symptoms and protect your long-term health.
Support for menopause after surgery
Making the decision to have a total hysterectomy is personal, and Dr. Schoenhaus is here to support you at each step. During a consultation at our Las Vegas or Henderson, NV office, we can discuss your specific situation and explain how surgery may affect your hormones.
If you're at risk for early menopause, we can discuss hormone replacement therapy and other options to manage symptoms of menopause and protect your health. We can create a personalized plan to help you navigate the transition as comfortably as possible.
After surgery, our team will continue to monitor your recovery and hormonal health, adjusting treatment as needed. Your quality of life and long-term wellness are our top priorities.
Talk to an OBGYN about your options
So, what is a hysterectomy, and how will it affect your hormones? At Essential Women's Health Associates, serving Las Vegas and Henderson, NV, we understand that you may have questions about the process. Dr. Samantha Schoenhaus specializes in minimally invasive surgery and can guide you through the decision. Call today to schedule your consultation.