From the Guidelines
Yes, a woman can experience menopause symptoms after a hysterectomy if her hormone levels are normal.
Menopause Symptoms
- Vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes)
- Urogenital symptoms can occur in women after a hysterectomy, even if their hormone levels are normal 1.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
The use of unopposed estrogen has both benefits and harms, including increased bone mineral density, reduced fracture risk, and reduced risk for colorectal cancer, as well as increased risk for venous thromboembolism, cholecystitis, and stroke 1.
Clinical Considerations
Clinicians should develop a shared decision-making approach to preventing chronic diseases in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, considering individual risk factors and preferences in selecting effective interventions for reducing the risk of chronic conditions 1.
From the Research
Menopause Symptoms after Hysterectomy
- A woman can experience menopause symptoms after a hysterectomy, even if her hormone levels are normal 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The type of menopause, whether natural or surgical, can affect the severity and type of symptoms experienced by women 5.
- Surgical menopause, which can occur after a hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy, can lead to more severe menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and vaginal dryness 2, 3, 5.
Hormone Levels and Menopause Symptoms
- Normal hormone levels do not necessarily mean that a woman will not experience menopause symptoms after a hysterectomy 2, 3, 4.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help manage menopausal symptoms in women who have undergone a hysterectomy, especially those with surgical menopause 2, 3.
- The use of HRT can affect the severity and type of symptoms experienced by women, with some studies suggesting that HRT can reduce the risk of hot flashes and other symptoms 3, 5.
Factors Affecting Menopause Symptoms
- The type of hysterectomy, whether with or without bilateral oophorectomy, can affect the severity and type of menopause symptoms experienced by women 4, 5.
- Other factors, such as age, body mass index, and smoking status, can also affect the severity and type of menopause symptoms experienced by women 4, 5.
- The use of HRT and other medications can also affect the severity and type of symptoms experienced by women 3, 5, 6.