The Truth About What Happens to Your Hormones After a Hysterectomy
Every surgery comes with risks. But a knee or hip replacement doesn’t affect a woman’s hormonal balance. When the procedure involves the removal of the uterus, it causes a whole host of both emotional and physical side effects. That’s why healing after a hysterectomy isn’t just about rest and relaxation.
Sudden Menopause
Most women are quite aware of the common symptoms of menopause: hot flashes, low libido, weight gain, mood swings, depression, and insomnia. Not exactly something anyone wants to sign up for voluntarily.
Normally, menopause doesn’t happen overnight. When the body naturally shifts into the menopausal state, hormones gradually begin to change as the ovaries produce less estrogen. This journey to menopause, or perimenopause, takes years.
Yet, when menopause is induced through a hysterectomy, the result is an instantaneous decline in progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone production. This sudden shift in hormones is an emotional rollercoaster. Many women report feeling depressed, anxious, moody, miserable and just not themselves after a hysterectomy.
Prepping for the Ride
The decision to undergo such an emotionally-charged procedure is not easy. Will delaying the surgery lead to a risk of further complications? Is the woman in pain? Are there other options available? Whether it’s for uterine fibroids, heavy or abnormal bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, uterine prolapse or adenomyosis, a hysterectomy may be the right choice for a woman’s medical issues.
But preparing for the post-op challenges is key. There are ways to make the ride a bit less bumpy. Natural hormones are one option that can help an imbalance. Unlike their synthetic counterparts, these hormone replacements are derived of natural products. Replacing those declining hormones can alleviate some of the symptoms associated with medically induced menopause.
Would you like to learn more about natural hormone replacement therapy? Contact Dr. Ghozland’s office at 310-393-9359 to schedule an appointment a personal screening.