Natural Menopause VS Surgical Menopause: Understanding The Differences

Surgical menopause, also known as induced menopause or medical menopause, refers to the cessation of ovarian function that happens as a result of surgery, such as the removal of both ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) or the removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) and both ovaries before natural menopause takes place.

This abrupt hormonal change leads to an immediate cessation of estrogen and progesterone production, causing women to experience menopausal symptoms suddenly and intensely compared to natural menopause, which occurs gradually over time.

Common symptoms of surgical menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and changes in libido. But that’s not all! There are also a myriad of additional symptoms that happen for some women but not others. Additionally, surgical menopause may have a more pronounced impact on bone health and cardiovascular health due to the sudden drop in hormone levels.

This is a topic that I have been studying recently as I’ve been hearing more about heart health issues lately. I gained more weight after surgery than I should’ve because I laid around too much and ate all the wrong foods. Now, I have high cholesterol and a borderline blood sugar number, when I always had under or near perfect numbers.

This has me worried because now that I know what I’m dealing with, things are much harder to fix than to prevent.

Let’s Take At Look At Both Types

Natural Menopause VS. Surgical Menopause

Understanding the differences between natural menopause vs surgical menopause can empower women to make informed health decisions.

Your natural menopause typically occurs in women ages 45-55, with an average age of 51.  I’ve learned recently that it’s not YOUR age that dictates when menopause will happen but your OVARY’S age!  

Surgically induced menopause is exactly that, surgically induced, but it can happen earlier than normal in many different ways.

Surgically Induced menopause:  When both ovaries removed surgically (bi-lateral oophorectomy), it immediately triggers menopausal symptoms.

Chemotherapy-induced menopause: Certain chemotherapy drugs can damage the ovaries and cause premature ovarian failure, leading to menopause. 

Radiation-induced menopause: Pelvic radiation therapy used to treat cancer can damage the ovaries and cause menopause.

Medication-induced menopause: Some medications, such as GnRH agonists used to treat conditions like endometriosis or uterine fibroids, can induce a temporary, reversible state of menopause.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI): Also called premature ovarian failure is when the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40, leading to menopause.

Common Reasons For Surgical Menopause:

• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Ovarian cancer or cysts
• Severe uterine bleeding

Natural Menopause

Natural menopause occurs gradually over time as the ovaries naturally produce less estrogen. This process usually takes several years, with periods becoming less frequent and eventually stopping altogether. Common symptoms of natural menopause include:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes

Women who undergo surgical menopause often require hormone replacement therapy to manage symptoms and health risks but only if they have no other risk factors.

Ultimately, the cause and timeline of menopause can significantly impact a woman’s experience and health. Understanding the differences between natural menopause vs surgical menopause is important for ensuring proper care and management.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the differences:

Physical Differences of natural menopause vs surgical menopause

• Onset – Natural menopause is gradual, over several years, while surgical menopause is immediate.
• Symptom Severity – Surgical menopause often causes more severe hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
• Bone Health – Surgical menopause can lead to faster bone loss and higher osteoporosis risk.
• Cardiovascular Health – Surgical menopause can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Mental/Emotional Differences of natural menopause vs surgical menopause

• Mood Changes – Mood swings, depression, and anxiety may be more pronounced with surgical menopause. I haven’t had to deal with this particular issue and I’m super thankful for it!  My PMS was absolutely AWFUL!
• Libido – Sudden estrogen decline in surgical menopause can lead to a sharper decrease in sexual desire.
• Sense of Loss – Women undergoing surgical menopause may feel a greater sense of loss related to their fertility and femininity.

With natural menopause, your body has a chance to deal with the changes in hormone levels compared to the sudden onset where the change happen. There are more severe physical symptoms as well as greater mental and emotional challenges for some women. Understanding these differences is important for proper management and support.

Understanding the Challenges

1. Surgical menopause: Women who undergo oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) will experience abrupt, profound menopausal symptoms due to the sudden cessation of ovarian hormone production. Unless you have been prepared by your physician and you know what might happen, it’s hard to deal with an onslaught of mental and physical changes, all at once.
2. Chemotherapy-induced menopause: The degree of ovarian damage from chemotherapy can vary, leading to either temporary or permanent menopause. Symptoms may be more gradual, and hormone levels should be closely tracked to determine the appropriate treatment.
3. Radiation-induced menopause: Pelvic radiation can damage the ovaries over time, leading to gradual ovarian failure. The onset and severity of symptoms can be more unpredictable compared to surgical menopause.
4. Medication-induced menopause: Drugs like GnRH agonists purposefully induce a temporary, reversible menopausal state. Symptom management is important during this time, and the transition back to normal ovarian function must be carefully monitored.
5. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI): This premature loss of ovarian function requires specialized care, as the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment approaches differ from age-related menopause.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, I was not informed of any of the above subjects after my surgery and I felt left in the dark. I was hoping that my symptoms would at least calm down in two years like my doctor predicted but that wasn’t the case.

My symptoms are just now starting to get a little better and I’m at the 5+ year point. To be honest, I’ve recently been thinking of speaking to my doctor about HRT. I haven’t really considered it because of the cancer risk that it presents. Following surgery, I was diagnosed with LGESS, (low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma,) that was positive for estrogen.

The differences between natural menopause vs surgical menopause are very real. Every single woman who goes through it will experience it a little different than the other. I will never give up the search for better ways to manage my symptoms. 

Is surgical menopause the end?? No, absolutely not. By arming yourself with knowledge about what your body is going through and seeing the different choices that you DO have, this time in your life can be beautifully managed!