Surgical menopause occurs before the natural process of menopause following the removal of the ovaries. Such a removal results in permanent reduction of ovarian hormones which include estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. Such a surgical procedure may also include removal of uterus and this is known as hysterectomy. Menopause is a natural process that occurs when the ovaries of women stop producing the essential hormones. Following this the women’s periods stop. Following the surgical removal of varies the hormones suddenly drop. Around 24 hours after the removal of the ovaries estradiol levels fall by 50 percent.

The symptoms of menopause commence rapidly following surgical menopause. Many women who have hysterectomy may experience menopause earlier than normal even if they retain the ovaries. Ovaries may be removed because of many reasons such as chronic pain following endometriosis. Ovarian cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease or chronic pelvic infection may also be the reason. Ovarian cancer may also be one of the reasons requiring this procedure.

Following surgical menopause the symptoms experienced by women are similar to those experienced in natural menopause but often more intense and severe. Almost 48 hours after the surgical procedure women experience hot flushes along with night sweats. Body and joint aches and pains are also experienced. Women experience difficulty in sleeping along with headaches.

Vaginal dryness and reduced sexual desire is also experienced. Women experienced a great deal of irritability along with tiredness and forgetfulness. They may also experience itchy and crawling sensation under the skin. Surgical menopause also brings about a lot of psychological changes in the woman. Mood changes may include irritability, depression and self esteem problems.

Many women going through surgical menopause also feel as if they have lost their femininity. This is because many women believe their femininity is directly related to their ovaries and losing their ovaries may make them feel that they are not longer women. Many women also fear that their partners may not find them attractive enough. Many women also feel as if they have lost their identity or they might feel as if they are castrated following the surgical procedure.

The treatment for surgical menopause primarily involves providing high dosage hormone therapy. Where ovaries are removed and uterus is not removed the therapy will include estrogen along with progesterone but testosterone will not be given. For women having other problems such as breast cancer other contra indications may make hormone therapy impossible. In such a case non hormonal therapy may be given. Such a therapy can provide protection against possibility of osteoporosis and heart diseases.