Will I go through menopause after a hysterectomy?

This article was reviewed by Julia Switzer, MD, FACOG.

Key Takeaways:

• A hysterectomy that removes both ovaries may trigger menopause immediately if both ovaries are removed (called surgical menopause).
• If one or both ovaries are left intact, you won’t go into menopause after hysterectomy immediately, but it may come earlier than expected.
• A total hysterectomy will stop your menstrual cycle, making it harder to know when you’re going through menopause.
• The symptoms of surgical menopause are similar to regular menopausal symptoms, although experiences vary.

When Hers customer Sherry had a hysterectomy at 44, she didn’t realize it would throw her into early menopause.

After almost a decade of difficult, confusing symptoms, she finally connected with a provider who explained what she had been experiencing: menopause triggered by a hysterectomy.

“When I went through menopause, I had no idea what to expect — how long it would take, how it would feel,” Sherry says. “I’m speaking up now because it’s so important to break the taboo.”

Whether you’re considering a hysterectomy or have already had one, understanding how the surgery affects menopause can help you know what to expect. Let’s look at what actually happens during menopause after hysterectomy, why symptoms vary, and how to advocate for better care for yourself.

Will I Go Through Menopause After a Hysterectomy?

Yes. If you aren’t already in the postmenopausal stage, you’ll experience menopause after a hysterectomy. Whether menopause comes immediately after or happens gradually depends on whether your ovaries are left intact.

Sherry’s hysterectomy was an oophorectomy and included the removal of her ovaries. She wasn’t told this meant she would enter menopause right away — or that the symptoms could feel more intense because of how abruptly her hormones would change. Instead, she woke up from surgery and unknowingly stepped straight into menopause. 

To understand why, let’s backtrack a little.

A hysterectomy removes the uterus, but menopause is driven by the ovaries — the organs that produce estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate menstrual cycles, but they also influence everything from temperature regulation to bone density.

There are a few types of hysterectomies:

• Partial hysterectomy. This involves surgically removing the upper part of the uterus. It leaves the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes intact.  
• Total hysterectomy. This type removes the uterus and cervix. Sometimes, it involves removing the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, or possibly both.
• Radical hysterectomy. This procedure involves removing the uterus, cervix, parts of the vagina, and possibly surrounding tissue. It sometimes includes removing the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, or both.

A surgery to remove the ovaries is called an oophorectomy. It may remove both ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) or just one (unilateral oophorectomy). A salpingo-oophorectomy removes one ovary and its corresponding fallopian tube.

Here’s what to expect: 

• If both of your ovaries are removed. Your hormone levels will drop suddenly, triggering immediate menopause. The symptoms may last many years.
• If one of your ovaries is removed. Your hormone levels may gradually decrease. You’ll likely experience menopause 1 or 2 years earlier than expected.
• If your ovaries remain intact, they often continue working. In that case, menopause typically happens around the usual age — though sometimes a bit earlier because of reduced blood flow to the ovaries.

When a hysterectomy with oophorectomy or an oophorectomy alone directly triggers menopause, it’s called surgical menopause.

After surgery, Sherry was given very little information beyond the expected recovery timeline. No one explained how removing her ovaries would immediately trigger surgical menopause or which symptoms to expect.

Menopause Symptoms After Hysterectomy

Perimenopause is often recognized by changes in your period. But after a hysterectomy, this clue disappears. That makes it harder to know when the menopausal transition is happening.

Beyond bleeding changes around the typical time of menopause (late 40s to early 50s), you may experience similar symptoms to those who go through menopause naturally.

Symptoms of surgical hysterectomy include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings or irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep changes
• Vaginal dryness
• Intimacy drive (libido) changes
• Brain fog
• Hair loss
• Weight gain

Not everybody will experience all of these symptoms. But know that the symptoms of surgical menopause will likely show up right away following the procedure due to the sudden drop in hormones.

Personal Experiences With Menopause After Hysterectomy

It took Sherry years to connect the dots between menopause and her symptoms, which included depression, hot flashes, and weight gain.

She also wasn’t warned about the long-term health effects of menopause. Menopausal and postmenopausal women have a higher risk of certain health issues, including:

• Loss of bone density and osteoporosis
• Urinary health issues
• Transmitted infections (STIs) due to vaginal dryness
• Heart disease and stroke
• Weight gain or slowed metabolism

Many of these risks exist whether you have surgical or natural menopause. But the risk might change slightly if you’ve had a hysterectomy.

Health Risks of Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Some research has found that young women who undergo a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy may have increased health risks. (Remember, this is a surgery to remove the uterus, both ovaries, and both fallopian tubes.)

Compared to women who’ve had hysterectomies without dual ovary removal, this procedure is associated with an increased risk of:

• High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Depression

Be aware of these risks so you can get regular health screenings as needed.

Sherry’s Story: What No One Told Her About Menopause After Hysterectomy

Sherry’s hysterectomy brought immediate relief — followed by years of debilitating menopausal symptoms.

She had a hysterectomy because of severe, long-undiagnosed endometriosis. “I had to have surgery to have my appendix removed, and that’s when they found the endometriosis, so I had to go back in for a hysterectomy,” she explains.

That was the first time Sherry was diagnosed with endometriosis. Despite struggling with severe pain from her teenage years — to the point where she had to go to the emergency room several times — no clinician picked up that she had endometriosis.  

“Nobody said, ‘This is why you were having debilitating cramps your entire life. This is why you can’t have children,’” she says. Finally, though, she had an answer. After recovering from her hysterectomy, Sherry felt much better – no more severe periods or pelvic pain.

Until the menopause symptoms started. 

Sherry experienced:

• 100 pounds of weight gain
• Hot flashes
• Severe depression and anxiety
• Low libido
• Brain fog
• Hair growth on the face (hirsutism)

“Having all these bad symptoms when I was younger, I was told, you know, just to suck it up. So that’s what I did,” Sherry says. “I really just thought, This is how life is going to be now.”

It wasn’t until she sought support for weight loss — nearly a decade later — that she began piecing together the connection between her symptoms and her surgical menopause.

“I finally got to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore. And that’s when I found Hers for weight loss,” Sherry says. From there, a clinician picked up that surgical menopause was at play, and Sherry decided to research menopause more.

After she began losing weight and understanding her symptoms, things took a positive turn. “I started feeling better, and it’s made me so much more confident,” Sherry says. “I can be more active. Emotionally, I’m happy.”

Treatments for Menopause After Hysterectomy

Like Sherry, many women feel they just need to push through their symptoms. But it’s important to know that treatments are out there.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help manage menopause symptoms and support long-term health. It helps by artificially raising your estrogen levels, which can reduce the severity of your symptoms.

While HRT has some health risks, it also has numerous benefits. By raising estrogen levels, it may reduce your risk of health conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Whether HRT is right for you depends on your individual medical history. If you’re not sure whether to go the HRT route, discuss it with a healthcare provider you trust.

Other Medical Treatments

Your provider might recommend other treatment options to help manage menopausal symptoms, including:

• Nonhormonal medications
• Vaginal moisturizers or lubricants 
• Pelvic floor physical therapy
• Sleep aids
• Talk therapy
• Mental health medication, like antidepressants

These can be used with or without HRT to manage your symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes and Self-Care

Some people find relief from menopause symptoms after a hysterectomy through self-care and lifestyle changes. This can include:

• Regular physical activity
• Stress reduction (mindfulness, meditation, walking, etc.)
• Prioritizing sleep
• Balanced nutrition
• Avoiding triggers like alcohol, spicy foods, or hot environments
• Staying connected to supportive people

None of these replaces medical care, but they can be part of a holistic plan. Make sure to get regular health check-ups during menopause and beyond.

Advice for Menopause After Hysterectomy

“In a way, I’m glad I went through what I went through — so I can help people that are younger than I am,” Sherry says.

She has plenty of advice for people currently considering a hysterectomy, as well as those going through menopause after a hysterectomy.

You Have the Right to Feel Better

Sherry wishes someone had told her that her experiences are normal — that her symptoms weren’t her fault and that she didn’t have to go through them alone.

“For women, a lot of our medical concerns are framed as vanity simply because we believe we deserve to feel better,” she says.

It’s perfectly okay to seek treatment for health concerns like weight gain, hirsutism, hair loss, or changes to your intimacy drive. Don’t let anyone dismiss your concerns or frame them as unimportant.

Start With Your Goals and Questions

Before or after hysterectomy surgery, consider asking your provider:

• Will my ovaries be removed?
• How will this surgery affect menopause timing?
• What symptoms should I expect?
• What long-term health impacts should I plan for?

Sherry emphasizes that you deserve clear answers. “If you’re not getting the answers, you need to find a different doctor,” she says. 

Don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. Many people find that specialist clinics — including those focused on women’s health and menopause — provide more comprehensive explanations.

Research Menopause

Sherry suggests researching menopause on your own. She recommends the book Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause by Jessica Shepherd, MD.

Not only will this help you understand your symptoms better, but it’ll also help you feel more empowered when it comes to speaking with healthcare professionals. 

Research will also help you know which side effects you may experience. These changes don’t reflect your character or effort — they’re physiological responses to hormone shifts.

Build Your Support System

Sherry found comfort in talking with extended family members who had similar symptoms — each conversation offering her more context and validation.

No matter what your support system looks like, make sure you have one. Support can come from:

• Therapists and counselors
• Online support groups
• Trusted medical providers
• Educational materials
• Supportive friends and family 

Sherry now encourages younger friends to learn about menopause early and to push for clear explanations. She believes the next generation will demand better care — and she’s part of making that possible by sharing her story.

Bottom Line: Menopause After Hysterectomy

If you’re considering a hysterectomy — or if you already had one — it’s good to think about how it’ll change your experience with menopause.

Here’s the bottom line:

• Menopause after hysterectomy depends on whether your ovaries are removed. If they were removed, you’ll start menopause immediately. If not, you’ll gradually go into menopause, possibly a few years earlier than expected.
• The symptoms of surgical menopause are similar to natural menopause. You might experience brain fog, hot flashes, mood changes, lower libido, or weight gain.
• There are treatment options. Hormone therapy may help you feel better. You may also seek treatments for your individual symptoms, like antidepressants, weight loss treatments, sleep aids, and nonhormonal options.

“As women, we need to champion ourselves and demand quality care,” Sherry adds. “If you’re going through this, just know that you don’t have to blame yourself.”

FAQs

See answers to common questions about menopause after a hysterectomy.

Will I go into menopause after a hysterectomy?

Menopause after hysterectomy depends on ovary removal. Without ovaries, menopause begins immediately (if you haven’t gone through menopause yet). If your ovaries are intact, menopause occurs naturally over time. Ask your provider about possible symptoms of menopause after hysterectomy with ovaries intact.

Does a partial hysterectomy cause menopause?

No. A partial hysterectomy (removing only the uterus) doesn’t cause menopause. Your ovaries usually keep producing hormones until natural menopause happens. Ask your healthcare provider about a partial hysterectomy and menopause, including when to expect menopause following the surgery.

What are common symptoms of menopause after hysterectomy?

Common symptoms of menopause after hysterectomy include hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep issues, vaginal dryness, libido changes, and brain fog. Symptoms often appear suddenly after surgery if the ovaries are removed.

Can you take hormone therapy after hysterectomy?

You might be able to take hormone therapy after a hysterectomy. HRT may help manage symptoms, but whether it’s appropriate for you personally depends on your medical and family history. A provider can help guide you. 

Can surgical menopause affect long-term health?

Yes, surgical menopause can affect long-term health. Like natural menopause, it might influence bone health, cardiovascular health, vaginal and urinary health, sleep, and metabolism.

How can I prepare emotionally and physically for a hysterectomy?

To prepare emotionally and physically for a hysterectomy, ask questions ahead of time, understand how the surgery affects hormones, plan for recovery support, and seek clear information from a trusted provider.

Related:

• Menopause Weight Gain
• How to Lose Weight During Menopause: Overview, Tips & Strategies and What to Do Next

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This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.