Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the Modern OBGYN Care team removes the uterus. It’s something that we might perform for conditions like uterine fibroids or cancer if no other treatments are suitable.
Around 600,000 women undergo hysterectomy in the United States each year, and it’s a safe, successful procedure. For many people, though, the idea of undergoing a hysterectomy can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding how it might impact their body. Let’s explore how a hysterectomy influences hormonal health and what you can expect.
The answer depends on whether we need to remove your ovaries during the procedure. The ovaries play a crucial role in producing estrogen, one of the female sex hormones that naturally declines during menopause.
If you’re premenopausal and we remove your ovaries as part of the hysterectomy, this can cause an immediate onset of menopause. This “surgical menopause” means your body instantly stops producing estrogen, triggering menopause symptoms.
If we’re able to leave your ovaries intact, they continue to produce estrogen until you naturally enter menopause. However, even with the ovaries left in place, the loss of your uterus means you’ll no longer have periods since there’s no uterine lining to shed.
If your hysterectomy triggers menopause symptoms, they’re likely to include:
Hot flashes are sudden waves of intense heat, while night sweats can leave your sheets soaked and disturb your sleep.
Estrogen loss can lead to vaginal dryness and itching, making sex painful and lowering sexual desire.
Many women report feeling more anxious, depressed, or irritable after surgery due to the abrupt hormonal changes.
Menopause often increases the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and incontinence.
Fatigue, weight gain, dry hair, and thinning skin are also common side effects of menopause. Over time, low estrogen levels can lead to longer-term health concerns like osteoporosis, a condition that weakens your bones and increases fracture risk.
Even though all this sounds pretty gloomy, it’s important to remember that menopause affects everyone differently. Some women experience few disruptions, and we offer ongoing support to address any symptoms that bother you.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that our highly skilled OB/GYNs, Dr. Marcela Torres and Dr. Miguel Torres, never perform a hysterectomy unless necessary. In other words, not having the procedure would lead to much worse outcomes. All women undergo menopause, so the procedure is only making this natural process happen sooner.
Menopausal symptoms tend to be more intense after a hysterectomy that includes ovary removal. This is because natural menopause occurs gradually, giving your body time to adjust as estrogen production declines. In contrast, surgical menopause brings an abrupt halt to hormone production, which can make symptoms feel more severe.
If your ovaries remain intact, your body will still produce estrogen, so you won’t immediately enter menopause. However, some people may still experience menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, due to disruptions in blood flow to the ovaries during surgery.
If you’re preparing for a hysterectomy or dealing with the effects of surgical menopause, support and treatment options are available here at Modern OBGYN Care. Some ways to manage symptoms include:
HRT can help replenish lost estrogen and alleviate symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adopting stress management techniques can reduce menopause symptoms and greatly improve your well-being.
Lubricants can help with dryness, itching, and discomfort during sex.
Vaginal revitalization uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen growth in the vagina, strengthening and firming your tissues.
Whether or not your hysterectomy involves removing your ovaries, understanding the potential hormonal changes and preparing for them can make the journey smoother. Working closely with us, you can confidently navigate this transition and take proactive steps to maintain your health and well-being.
If you’re considering a hysterectomy and have questions about how it might affect you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us — we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Call Modern OBGYN Care’s office in Pembroke Pines, Florida, or use this form to contact us.
