Written by John Matthews - January 06, 2023
A unilateral oophorectomy, or the removal of one ovary, can cause menopause and its associated symptoms in individuals who have not yet gone through natural menopause. Menopausal symptoms vary depending on how much ovarian activity has decreased after the oophorectomy. An individual's age will also affect the amount and severity of her menopausal symptoms.
What Is an Oophorectomy?
An oophorectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing one or both ovaries from the body. It can be done for many medical conditions including ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and cysts. Depending on the type of surgery, a portion of surrounding tissues might also be removed.
Does a Unilateral Oophorectomy Cause Menopause?
Yes, a unilateral oophorectomy causes menopause in individuals who haven’t already gone through natural menopause. The one-sided removal of an ovary results in reduced hormone production due to lack of eggs produced by that ovary each month. This significantly lowers levels of hormones such as estrogen which are important for reproductive health and fertility and can lead to hot flashes, night sweats, disturbed sleep, mood swings, weight gain and even hair loss.
What are the Symptoms?
The severity and duration of menopause symptoms depend on how much ovarian activity has been diminished after a unilateral oophorectomy. Health care professionals typically predict that overall hormone production will be decreased by 50%. Some symptoms may begin right away whereas others may take weeks or months to actualize depending on how much fertility was impacted by the surgery:
**Individuals who undergo a unilateral oophoretomy at an earlier age are more likely to experience intense symptoms while those who undergo it later may have milder versions or no noticeable effects at all despite reduced hormone levels. **
When dealing with troublesome menopausal symptomology post-surgery many people seek relief through hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). At Hormone Treatment Center we offer customized solutions tailored specifically to your needs as every body is different → something every physician should recognize! Our professional HRT specialists provide comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and tailor therapeutic programs for each individual patient based on their needs—all under one roof in West Orange! Take control over your hormones today with Hormone Treatment Center → Call us now!
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