A hysterectomy is the removal of the womb in a female. Once the womb has been removed you are no longer able to conceive, your periods will of course stop immediately following a hysterectomy no matter how old you are. A surgical procedure is involved to remove the womb, most hysterectomies are carried out in women aged 40-50, but you can have a hysterectomy earlier or later than this, depending on requirements.
A oophorectomy removes the womb as well as both ovaries, this causes your body to go into immediate menopause.
Why do women have a Hysterectomies?
There are a number of reasons why a woman might have a hysterectomy, however it’s usually a last resort to remove the womb and will only be performed in extreme cases, due to the nature of the operation and the length of recovery time.
- Extreme pelvic pain that can’t be resolved using any other medication or intervention
- Heavy Bleeding
- Fibroids – These are tumours that are non-cancerous
- Cancer – cervical, uterine, ovarian or cancer inside the fallopian tubes
Early Menopause
After an oophorectomy you will go through early menopause regardless of your age. This is because menopause happens when the ovaries stop producing oestrogen and progesterone hormones. If the ovaries are removed, then you will no longer ovulate and you will no longer produce hormones, so your body will go into immediate menopause.
Often, symptoms after an oophorectomy can be more severe, due to the very abrupt start of menopause so this is something you might want to prepare for if you are about to have an oophorectomy hysterectomy.
A hysterectomy should not cause early menopause because your ovaries are still regulating hormones and still releasing eggs. Your periods will stop once the womb has been removed, but this does not mean you will go through menopause straight away. It can be more difficult to tell when you eventually do start menopause, since menstruation will no longer be an indication.
Typically you will go through menopause around the normal age, mid-late 40’s or early 50’s. However, some women who have had a hysterectomy do experience premature menopause by 1-2 years.
Can LaBalance Help After a Hysterectomy?
The LaBalance device is used by many women who have been thrown into early menopause after an oophorectomy. Often LaBalance is used as an alternative to HRT and the feedback we have received is that LaBalance has completely changed the lives of women post-hysterectomy.
It can be common for women to experience a sudden onset of hot flushes, unbearable night sweats, and extreme mood swings immediately after the operation. This can be very overwhelming, especially during your recovery period when you are focusing on healing. If you are about to undergo this procedure, then you’re in the right place! Purchase your LaBalance device at the ready and avoid going on HRT altogether.
If you have any further questions about LaBalance, we have lots of answers here on our FAQ page, or if you are still unsure about anything please do get in touch.