For most girls, menopause occurs naturally around this time 49 years old. In premenopause, the standard and quantity of eggs decline over time. Then the ovaries stop releasing eggs completely.
At this time, the ovaries also stop producing the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Due to this, menstrual periods stop. When you go 12 months with no period, you might be in menopause.
But some women will start menopause early after having their ovaries surgically removed. Others will transition into menopause over an extended time frame if medical treatments, resembling chemotherapy or radiotherapy, damage their ovaries.
So what are you able to expect from menopause as a consequence of surgery or medical treatment?
Can the treatment cause menopause?
Surgical menopause occurs when a lady's ovaries are removed to treat conditions resembling ovarian cancer.
Some women who’ve a genetic predisposition to ovarian and breast cancer, resembling Angelina Jolie Those who carry the BRCA1 gene might also have their ovaries removed to stop estrogen production. It reduces the chance of ovarian and breast cancer, that are considered estrogen-dependent cancers.
Other pelvic surgeries can damage the ovaries and trigger menopause, resembling removing an ovarian cyst or Treatment for endometriosis.
Medical treatments which are severely damaging or toxic to the ovaries can even trigger menopause. These include chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer, and coverings for rheumatological conditions resembling Lupus.
Whether you turn into menopausal after medical treatment will rely upon your age, baseline ovarian reserve, in addition to the kind and dose of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Younger women normally have more ovarian stores so can withstand further loss.
When does this occur? How is it diagnosed?
Menopause could also be earlier as a consequence of medical treatment Normal age of natural menopause. When menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 45, it is known as early menopause. around 12% of girls may have early menopause.
Before 40, early menopause is known as “premature ovarian failure.” This is because for ladies whose periods stop spontaneously, there remains to be a likelihood that their ovarian function will return. But that is less likely if periods stop as a consequence of the effect of medical treatment. And it’s unimaginable after surgical menopause. around 4% women Premature ovarian failure.
The diagnosis of surgical menopause is evident. But it might be tougher to diagnose menopause after medical treatment. There is a diagnosis Based on Four months or more of NO or irregular menstrual periods plus a high follicle-stimulating hormone level, determined by a blood test.
What are the symptoms? How are they different?
Estrogen deficiency symptoms, resembling hot flushes, normally begin soon after surgical menopause. Other symptoms resembling vaginal dryness may develop more slowly. Symptoms of surgical menopause are sometimes more severe than natural menopause.
But everyone's experience is different. And symptoms can vary inside and between people. It may also be difficult to inform which symptoms are as a consequence of menopause and that are as a consequence of an underlying health problem or treatment, resembling the results of chemotherapy on cognition.
Low estrogen from premature ovarian failure can cause Vaginal dryness, low albedo, muscle and bone loss, and impaired mental function can even occur. It can even Increase risk exposure There is a better risk of heart disease and stroke after surgical menopause than spontaneous premature menopause.
Premature ovarian failure can even occur Consequently Poor mental health and quality of life, and might The effect Your ability to work.
Women with surgical menopause cannot conceive, while women with premature ovarian failure are unlikely to conceive naturally.
How is it treated?
our Previous research has shown that Women with early menopause and premature ovarian failure often receive Poor health care. There is a big variation in quality between health providers.
To help healthcare professionals deliver best practice care, we updated in 2024 Evidence-based guidelines with the 145 recommendations Treating early menopause and premature ovarian failure.
Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT), which replaces the missing estrogen (plus progesterone if you happen to still have a uterus), is the mainstay of treatment for ladies with premature ovarian failure and early menopause.
Women who’ve undergone surgical menopause or are experiencing premature ovarian failure may consider HRT for symptom relief and bone preservation.
However, HRT can’t be used if you could have certain health conditions Hormone sensitive breast cancer.
It's vital to confer with your healthcare provider in regards to the pros and cons of HRT in your situation.
Other treatment options include:
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Vaginal estrogen, which could also be helpful for vaginal dryness
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is useful for warm flushes, sleep and mood management.
Although Chinese herbal medicine While some women may relieve menopausal symptoms, overall there just isn’t enough scientific evidence that complementary therapies can effectively manage premature ovarian failure.
Health practitioners should check with patients the symptoms and risks of surgical menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency before starting any treatment that will cause these conditions.
Options for minimizing these risks and preserving fertility also needs to be discussed and will require a referral to a specialist.