Forced Menopause
Forced menopause is another way of saying induced menopause. This occurs when a woman has a hysterectomy and her ovaries are removed along with her uterus. It can also happen if she is treated with radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. Forced or induced menopause or expedited menopause is much harder than a gradual and natural transition into menopause. The woman is thrust overnight into being menopausal and may suffer greatly from the associated symptoms.
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Symptoms May be Worse
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Although menopausal symptoms---hot flashes, night sweats---can be worse when a woman has forced menopause, the symptoms don't last as long as they do when normal menopause occurs, according to Macrofind.com. If a woman segues into menopause naturally it can take years and she can have these symptoms for years.
Ovaries
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According to the Mayo Clinic, if a woman's ovaries are removed during a hysterectomy, menopause begins immediately. If the ovaries aren't removed, forced menopause does not occur, although you can no longer get pregnant and won't have menstrual periods. Your ovaries will continue to produce hormones and eggs until your body naturally enters into menopause.
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Traumatic
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When a woman finds herself gravely ill and in need of a hysterectomy that includes removal of the ovaries or treatment for cancer, which will destroy her ovaries and render her infertile, it is difficult to cope with, especially if she would still like to have children. The psychological aspect of forced menopause, in addition to the physical symptoms that will occur, can be very trying.
Different Reactions
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Women react differently to forced menopause when it occurs via a hysterectomy. Some report that they feel better and no longer have to deal with pelvic pain and bleeding. Some note that they have increased sexual pleasure, which may be due to the removal of uterine fibroids during the hysterectomy, which were causing them pain during intercourse. Other women are saddened by forced menopause and feel a sense of grief and loss. This can lead to depression.
Considerations
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If you have undergone forced menopause and you are struggling, discuss this with your physician. Many women who have induced menopause are younger than the average menopausal woman so they need monitoring over the years to make sure that they don't get osteoporosis, which is porous bone disease, and which is a concern after menopause, according to Menopause.org.
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