Surgical Menopause

What is it?

If you have had both ovaries removed as a result of surgery prior to having been in menopause, your body will be put into what is known as surgical menopause or instant menopause. Surgical menopause can be much more difficult than normal menopause as it is an overnight transition to post-menopause rather than a gradual change. The symptoms can be more intense, more frequent than natural menopause and can last longer. This, on top of a cancer diagnosis, can be extremely overwhelming.

Among the changes that you will experience are severe drops in estrogen, progesterone and androgen. Similarly, your cholesterol levels will be adversely affected increasing the risk of developing heart disease as well as the risk of osteoporosis.

Aside from the dramatic physical changes, there are also emotional and psychological changes including for younger women, the sudden realization of the inability to bear children.

Some of the more troublesome side effects include:

• hot flashes and night sweats
• vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
• urinary symptoms
• irritability and mood swings

Many women are scheduled to have chemotherapy treatment within weeks of their ovarian cancer surgery. It can be difficult to distinguish between the symptoms resulting from instant menopause and those which are chemo related.

Conventional Wisdom:

Communication with your doctor is the key. There are many products on the market which can help with the specific physical side effects of surgical menopause. Depending on your type of cancer, hormone replacement or hormone cessation therapy may or may not be offered as an option.

Counseling and support groups may also be recommended.

Self Help:

There are many, many web sites dealing with menopause and menopausal support so we will not go into too much detail here other than to highlight a few helpful hints:

• Diet and exercise always play a key role in reducing the severity and duration of menopausal symptoms. Exercise, and specifically weight-bearing exercise, is important for its role in prevention of heart disease and osteoporosis.
• Calcium supplementation for bone support can be achieved entirely through natural, organic plant-based foods rather than a pill form (kale, almonds, oatmeal, beans).
• Organic kefir is particularly helpful in maintaining "good bacteria" in your intestinal tract thereby assisting in avoiding vaginal infections.
• Natural products such as Replens, are highly recommended for vaginal dryness.
• There are natural “wick-away” fabrics used in sheets, pillowcases and nighties which help with nighttime sweats.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
• Recognize the triggers of hot flashes – caffeine, wine, spicy foods, stress.
• Hair thinning and skin problems often occur – get a new do and brighten up your makeup.
• Family counseling may be necessary to accept this dramatic change in your body and to resume a healthy sex life.
• Try to have a sense of humour!  We were all heading in this direction; we just got sent there a little sooner!

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