Definition of Surgical menopause
Menopause, surgical: Surgical menopause is, not unexpectedly, menopause
induced by surgery.
Surgical menopause is a type of induced menopause: menopause due to an
unusual event. It is induced when the ovaries are surgically removed (by
bilateral oophorectomy).
Menopause can also be induced when the ovaries are gravely damaged by radiation,
chemotherapy or other medications.
Induced menopause, surgical menopause included, is distinct from natural
menopause which occurs when the ovaries naturally decrease their production of
the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone; there are
no menstrual periods for
12 consecutive months; and no other biological or physiological cause can
account for this phenomenon. Menopause is the end of the childbearing years.
Induced menopause, due to the abrupt cutoff of ovarian hormones, causes the
sudden onset of hot flashes and other menopause-related symptoms such as a dry
vagina and a decline in
sex drive. Early menopause (before age 40) may carry a greater risk for heart
disease and osteoporosis .
When the levels of hormones normally produced by the
ovaries suddenly drop, changes associated with the menopause promptly take
place: hot flashes (a sudden warm feeling with blushing), night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness,
fluctuations in sexual desire (libido), forgetfulness, trouble sleeping and
fatigue, probably from
loss of sleep.
Hormone therapy (HT) may be used to treat the symptoms of induced menopause.
It reduces or stops the short-term changes of menopause such as hot flashes,
disturbed sleep, and vaginal dryness.
Last Editorial Review: 1/26/2009Common Misspellings: surgical menapause
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