Pre-menopausal women who have both of their ovaries surgically removed become
menopausal immediately. This abrupt transition is known as surgical menopause.
Contrary to popular belief, surgical removal of the uterus, or hysterectomy,
does not in itself cause menopause to occur. However, the ovaries may be removed
at the same time as the uterus, so some women who undergo hysterectomy also go
through surgical menopause. In addition, menopausal changes may occur even in
women whose ovaries are left in place if the blood supply and nerves to the
ovaries are damaged during an operation.
Natural menopause usually leads to a slow, gradual decline in estrogen
production, while surgical menopause is abrupt. As a result, problems such as
hot flashes are particularly intense. The risk of heart disease and osteoporosis
also is higher than it is for women who have gone through natural menopause. The
earlier a woman experiences surgical menopause, the more important it may be for
her to consider hormone replacement therapy.
Menopause is still widely misunderstood and unfairly maligned. Yet more and
more women are beginning to talk openly about their experiences, both positive
and negative. In addition, carefully controlled studies on menopausal changes
are finally being done. As we learn more about this stage of life, many of the
most destructive myths are being dispelled. Instead of seeing the menopausal
woman as one who is "over the hill," we now see her as a woman who has a third
of her life left to live - and is saving the best for last.