Hysterectomy After Menopause
Hysterectomy is the procedure performed to remove the uterus of a woman. The removal of the uterus may be required in the treatment of certain medical conditions such as cancer, fibroids, and excessive bleeding among others. When there is cancer, for instance, it may be necessary to remove the uterus, or even the cervix, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, in order to prevent the cancer from spreading to the other organs. The removal of the uterus and the other reproductive organs may also be necessary to stop bleeding.
Undergoing a hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries will trigger menopause in a woman, and it would also make the woman unable to bear children.
But what about hysterectomy after menopause? How would the effects of hysterectomy be different for the post menopausal woman? Well, women who undergo hysterectomy after menopause may or may not experience great changes in their body.
When a woman undergoes a complete hysterectomy (surgical removal of uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes) during peri-menopause or menopause, the woman becomes post menopausal. In this case, the body stops producing estrogen and progesterone, which in turn increases the levels of testosterone in the body. This could cause the development of some masculine features such as increased hair growth on the chin and upper lip. Also, women can experience increase body fat deposition along the abdomen, hips, and thighs. Osteoporosis risks increase as well. Some women may continue to have significant vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and require some sort of hormone replacement.
Hysterectomy after menopause can cause immediate psychological effects on the woman. These can include transient bouts of mild depressive symptoms, and/or anxiety. Furthermore, the woman who undergoes hysterectomy after menopause rarely undergoes physical or psychological changes because the ovaries have already stopped functioning by this time, and their removal does not make a difference to the woman.
9 Responses to “Hysterectomy After Menopause”
Leave a Reply
I am having surgery for a cystocele. I am 66 years old and in excellent health – take no medications. One doctor has told me I should go ahead and have a hysterectomy. Another has told me I’m healthy and don’t need one. ADVISE?
My doctor cannot penetrate my cervix. This comes following a pap test where atypical glandular cells were found. She did a cervical biopsy but after three tries, the last in the hospital yesterday, she cannot penetrate the cervix to get a uterine biopsy. There is talk of ultrasound, which naturally I think she have been done after the second attempt, and also of hysterectomy. I do not have a problem with that because I am 54 years old and haven’t had a period in 4 years. Any thoughts?
Mary how did your situation go?
Did you have a Hysterectomy? They had a little problem with the penetating the cervix on me, but was sucessful, and did the Biopsy. I went in for spotting after been in menopause for 8 years with no periods, no other problems. I’m 58 and have been diagonsed with Complex Endometrial Hyperplasia/ Atpia. They want to do a Hysterectomy. I haven’t made a final descision.
Hope everthing is well with you!
Betty
Betty,
I’m scheduled for a hysterectomy next week. They found hyperplasia in the uterus after an ultrasound. Last April the doctor tried a polypectomy but couldn’t get through my cervix. That’s why another D and C is not an alternative. I’m still on the fence as to whether I really need this now or whether I should wait. I have absolutely no symptoms. My regular gynecologist is urging me to do it, my surgeon feels that it’s my decision. Now, I’m really confused.
Always ask an expert before trying this
At 54, post menopause, I had a uterine biopsy due to spotting and it was endometroid cancer stage 1. My GYN and the GYN surgeon both recommended a complete hystorectomy. Unlike what was described in the article above, there have definitely been some hormonal changes and I think the article assumes that the ovaries are no longer producing hormones after cycles stop, but I do not believe that to be the case. Hormone therapy helps prevent Osteoporosis. I would like more information about the specific effects of nutrition in my “post-menopausal” world. Anyone?
I will be having a complete hysterectomy due to uterine cancer cells found following a D&C. (Both the original biopsy and ultrasound were negative.) Someone told me that my osteoarthritis will get much worse once everything has been removed. Does anyone else have experience with this?
There has been some literature showing that estrogen improves symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Given your medical circumstance, I would not focus on this potential issue. Good luck and hope you do very well with your surgery.
Betty, by ultrasound I assumed your endometrial lining was greater than 5mm or thickened. Then your doctor attempted and endometrial biospy in the office but your cervix would not open. Then your underwent a fractional D&C and that when you got the diagnosis of simple or complex endometrial hyperplasia.. Now, my question is did the path report show the hyperplasia to have complex features? Anyhow, did your doctor suggester progestin therapy for 3-6 months before considering a hysterectomy? Usually, this is done, then after the treatment course another endometrial biopsy is done to see whether or not the hyperplasia is gone. If the hyperplasia is persistent and you begin to have bleeding, a hysterectomy would likely be the next step.