Coping With Hysterectomy Menopause

Look, all we women know that menopause is inevitable, but it's not something that most of us look forward to. But at least we have the luxury of time to allow us to adjust to all the changes that are happening to our body and our mind. Imagine though, if menopause and all of its associated symptoms, happened in one day. How much harder would that be to cope with?

Well that's exactly what happens with a hysterectomy menopause and as well as having to handle the physical changes, the woman in question has also to cope with the psychological implications too.

There are several reasons why a hysterectomy may have been recommended. It may have been advised in order to treat medical issues such as endometriosis, intolerable periods, prolapse, fibroids, or cancer.

Once the decision had been made to proceed with a hysterectomy, your medical professional will advise you as to the best type of hysterectomy, based on your medical problems and your medical and family history. However, the ultimate choice is yours and so it is imperative that you fully understand the options available and also what, if any, after effects you may experience.

A brief explanation of the different types of hysterectomy are as follows:

1. Total hysterectomy means that the entire uterus and cervix are removed. As opposed to a sub-total hysterectomy, where only the upper part of the uterus is removed, keeping the cervix in place.

2. With a partial hysterectomy, the main part of the uterus is removed but the cervix remains. If the cervix is retained, then it is advisable to continue with regular cervical smears.

3. If a radical hysterectomy is suggested, this usually means that there is cancerous tissue present. The surgeon will remove the entire uterus, tissue on the sides of the uterus, the top part of the vagina and the cervix.

The surgeon will also decide whether the ovaries need to be removed or left behind. Should the ovaries be removed, the woman will begin menopause immediately. If the ovaries are left in place, they may stop producing hormones sooner than expected and in that case, the woman will be more likely to start menopause earlier in her life. If the production of estrogen is lost before the age of 45 there may be an increased risk of developing osteoporosis (bone thinning) and treatments should be sought sooner rather than later.

There is also a 50% decrease in testosterone production when the ovaries are removed and the recommended treatment will vary from woman to woman.

Hysterectomy is a very personal choice and has to be the right decision for you and your circumstances. However, it is also a routine operation and although it is advisable to take things easy for several weeks, recovery is usually steady with few problems.

Quite often, a woman will find it harder to come to terms with a hysterectomy menopause as fertility will cease immediately and this can induce strong emotions and an overwhelming sense of anxiety and depression.

A hysterectomy is nothing to fear, but with any medical procedure, it is important to find out as much about it as you possibly can and also to enquire as to the after care required.

A strong support system will make it easier to remain positive and not having to take precautions against pregnancy or use monthly protection, is of course an added bonus.