Surgical menopause occurs when the ovaries are removed as a part of a procedure called hysterectomy, one of the most commonly performed gynecological surgical procedure.
Every woman experiences menopause differently. Even the age at which menopause begins may be unique to you. Some women reach menopause in their 30's or 40's, and some not until their 60's, but natural menopause most often occurs between the ages of 45-55.
Surgical menopause is an exception, it can happen at any age.
FACTS
In the United States, 1/3 of women can be expected to undergo hysterectomy by age 60.
There are currently an estimate of 22 million women in the United States who have undergone this procedure.
An average of 622,000 hysterectomies a year have been performed for the past decade.
Both the uterus and the ovaries have essential life-long functions in the maintenance of a woman's health and well-being. If you don’t have your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy, you will experience menopause naturally. Women who experience natural menopause still have the benefit of the functions of their uterus and ovaries, which continue to produce small amount of hormones.
When you have your ovaries removed, menopause begins immediately, because the production of estrogen stops completely. The symptoms are not the same as with natural menopause, they are much more severe.
It is said that natural menopause is like walking down a hill, while surgical menopause is like abruptly falling from a cliff. It is so true!
I had hysterectomy at age 44, which had a major impact in my life. Read my story to find out more.
I searched for solutions and I found some, gathered in these pages, ready to be shared with all women that go through these pains. You never know what works for you unless you try! My solutions worked for me, they might as well work for you! Try them!
Both the uterus and the ovaries have essential life-long functions in the maintenance of a woman's health and well-being. If you don’t have your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy, you will experience menopause naturally. Women who experience natural menopause still have the benefit of the functions of their uterus and ovaries, which continue to produce small amount of hormones.