how long does surgical menopause last?

Hi Gina M.,

Just to clarify-- are you asking how long the procedure lasts? If so, The surgery lasts normally about a half hour to an hour and you may remain in the hospital over night for observation.

If you're referring to symptoms post surgery--It is observed that a woman undergoing surgical menopause experiences certain symptoms more profoundly than women going through menopause normally. Since there is abrupt disruption of hormones after hysterectomy, the menopausal symptoms are more severe, more frequent and last longer when compared to natural menopause. The symptoms are triggered by the body's sudden inability to make certain hormones due to the removal of ovaries.

Hot flushes and night sweats are the commonest symptoms of surgical menopause. It is estimated that about 75 - 90% of women who have had surgical menopause experience them. This is due to the disturbance of the central thermostat located in the hypothalamus which is kept stable by normal circulating estrogen.

Other symptoms of surgical menopause range from sleepless nights, vaginal dryness and itching to decrease in sexual desire and painful intercourse. An understanding and informed partner can help in such situations. Depression is another common result of low estrogen level. Thyroid dysfunction, bladder infections, incontinence, weight gain, migraine, and irritability are also symptoms of surgical menopause.

http://www.targetwoman.com/articles/surgical-menopause.html

Best wishes,

Rosa