[6 MIN READ]
In this article:
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Learn what a hysterectomy is, why you might need one and what effects that procedure might have on your health post-hysterectomy.
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A hysterectomy can sometimes lead to a drop in hormones depending on the type of surgery done, which, in turn, can lead to earlier menopause.
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Talk to your doctor about whether a hysterectomy is right for you. In some cases, other medical or procedural options can work just as well.
If you’re in your 50s, you’ve likely already started menopause or will soon. For some people, menopause coincides with having a hysterectomy — a procedure to remove the uterus.
There are a lot of rumors about what happens if you get a hysterectomy. I hear that you gain a lot of weight. I hear that you grow facial hair. I hear that your mood changes completely. While a lot of what you hear about hysterectomies is exaggerated, there are some possible side effects to think about if you’re planning to have this procedure.
Certain types of hysterectomies can speed up aging and increase your risk for age-related conditions. But that doesn’t always mean that you should avoid the procedure.
Read on to learn more about hysterectomies, why people undergo them and how they can impact your body’s aging process.
What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a person’s uterus. There are multiple types of hysterectomies, and each has different possible side effects and complications.
- Partial hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus but not the cervix.
- Total hysterectomy: Removal of the entire uterus and cervix. This is the most common type of hysterectomy.
- Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: Removal of the uterus, cervix, one or both ovaries (oophorectomy), and one or both fallopian tubes.
- Radical hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus and surrounding tissues, including fallopian tubes, part of the vagina, ovaries, lymph glands and fatty tissue.
Why would someone need a hysterectomy?
Hysterectomies are very common, especially in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three women will have a hysterectomy by age 74.
Some of the main reasons a woman might undergo a hysterectomy include:
- Uterine fibroids (noncancerous tumors that grow in the muscular wall of the uterus) that cause symptoms such as abnormal bleeding and pain or pressure
- Abnormal uterine bleeding, such as heavy, long or irregular periods
- Endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus
- Uterine prolapse, a condition in which the uterus descends from its normal position and into the vaginal canal
- Pelvic pain
- Gynecological cancers, such as uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal or vulvar
“These days, there are many medical or procedural options that can be tried before hysterectomy for most of the conditions above,” says Angela Keating, M.D., an obstetrician and gynecologist who treats women in Lake Oswego, Oregon. “It’s important to talk with your provider regarding risks versus benefits of hysterectomy and the alternatives.”
“Usually, a hysterectomy can relieve severe symptoms,” adds Dr. Keating, “such that a woman is finally able to live a normal life. Other times, there are less invasive, less life-altering treatments for that woman that may be more appropriate, and a hysterectomy may be to her detriment. There are risks associated with surgery, there is a recovery period during which she can’t exercise the same amount and her ovarian function may potentially be affected.”
Does a hysterectomy cause aging?
Having a hysterectomy is a big change for your body. Depending on where you are in your menopause journey, this type of procedure can cause hormonal changes, resulting in different side effects.
In 55% of hysterectomies, both ovaries are removed. Ovaries are the organs that produce the hormone estrogen. Estrogen affects many functions in the body, such as the menstrual cycle. When the ovaries are removed, menstruation stops, and menopause begins soon after (if it hasn’t already). For women who have not started menopause, a hysterectomy may actually cause early menopause and some of the symptoms that are often associated with getting older.
“Women who have both ovaries removed with or without a hysterectomy will have an abrupt drop in their hormones if they haven’t already gone through natural menopause,” says Dr. Keating. “Surgical menopause occurs because the ovaries are where the majority of sex hormones are made, and when they are removed, the level of sex hormones goes down drastically, very quickly after surgery. There is an abrupt drop in testosterone and DHEA (another hormone) after surgical menopause that we don’t see in natural menopause (there is a gradual decrease in testosterone and DHEA with aging if ovaries remain in place). Removal of both ovaries before age 45 is associated with increased all-cause mortality, increased coronary heart disease, worse bone health and worse cognitive impairment.
“Studies suggest that women who have a hysterectomy without removal of the ovaries may go through menopause one and a half to two years earlier than women who don’t have a hysterectomy,” adds Dr. Keating. “A hysterectomy also could potentially change or decrease the blood flow to the ovaries, which can change the ovarian function.”
What should I do if I’m considering a hysterectomy?
If you’re planning to get a hysterectomy, talk through it with your doctor. Ask questions to make sure it’s what’s best for your health.
For people having both ovaries removed, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be an option. This type of therapy helps the body adjust to the lower estrogen levels, making any menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and mood swings, milder. Hormone therapy can help reduce the risk of age-related health issues, too, such as bone loss. Lifestyle changes, including exercise and diet, can also help reduce symptoms.
Ultimately, it’s about weighing the risks of keeping your ovaries and/or uterus with the risks of removing them, and possibly developing age-related health issues. For many patients, a hysterectomy brings a sense of relief — and the sooner, the better.
“Some women think that it’s easier to have a hysterectomy after menopause, and that’s not true,” says Dr. Keating. “Sometimes, that is a long time to suffer while waiting for menopause, if symptoms are severe and other treatments aren’t helpful. It depends on the woman’s health status and why she is getting the hysterectomy, as to the best timing for a hysterectomy.”
At Providence, your doctor can help you understand more about this surgical procedure. It’s important that you feel prepared for any changes that could result from a hysterectomy.
Contributing caregiver
Angela Keating, M.D., is an obstetrician and gynecologist who treats women in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
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Related resources
Navigating your journey through menopause
What you need to know about ovarian cancer
Does metabolism slow down for women as they age?
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
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