Hysterectomies are a common procedure for women experiencing certain types of conditions, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, vaginal bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and other problems. Removal of the uterus is a major procedure that can have a big impact on a woman’s life, including her comfort and health.
This is especially true if the hysterectomy is combined with removal of the ovaries (called an oophorectomy). When these two procedures are combined, the woman’s estrogen production nearly stops, and the woman enters a phase called surgical menopause. Surgical menopause is a condition that occurs when the body is forced to begin menopause because the main source of estrogen, the ovaries, has been removed.
Using hormone replacement after a hysterectomy can help alleviate the symptoms of surgical menopause. Understanding what surgical menopause is, how it affects the body and what can be done to lessen the symptoms of surgical menopause can help you stay healthy in the event that this type of procedure is recommended for you.
Here’s what you need to know.
Symptoms of Low Estrogen After Hysterectomy
When the body enters the menopause phase, even if the body is only entering menopause because of a surgical procedure, certain symptoms are common. Below are the symptoms of low estrogen after a hysterectomy:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Weight gain
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful intercourse
Hormone Replacement After Hysterectomy Can Help
Although a hysterectomy with an oophorectomy can be very disruptive to the biological processes that regulate a woman’s mood, body functioning and comfort, there are ways to lessen the impact of the loss of estrogen. The primary method that many women use is bioidentical hormone replacement.
Natural Estrogen Replacement After Hysterectomy
Bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy starts with man-made hormones derived from plant estrogen. Chemically, bioidentical hormone replacements are the same as the natural hormones the body produces. This is why bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is considered a natural way to stop of the symptoms of menopause.
This is different from traditional hormone replacement therapy. In traditional therapies, hormones are prescribed like a medication and the drug is supplied by the pharmaceutical company. Custom-made hormones are designed to meet the precise needs of the individual. Custom-made hormones must be overseen by the doctor, who ensures that the corrrect dosages and amounts are given to the patient.
What Else Can Women Do to Fight the Effects of Menopause?
Aside from BHRT, there are other things that women can do to restore hormone balance following menopause.
Changes in Diet
Eating a diet rich in phytoestrogen can help a woman maintain healthy estrogen levels. There are many foods that a woman can eat that are rich in estrogen, including soy, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, fruit, garlic, flax seeds and sesame seeds. Eating recipes that make use of these ingredients can help a woman regulate the estrogen levels in her body.
Exercise
Many women gain weight starting with perimenopause and continuing through menopause. Engaging in moderate exercise can stop some weight gain while helping the woman maintain good health.
Get Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep caused by hormone shifts can cause a woman’s metabolism to slow down, which in turn can lead her body to gain weight. Sleeping more at night can help combat these problems.
Contact Your Physician for Help with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Whether you’re experiencing menopause after a hysterectomy where your ovaries have been kept or removed, you may need bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Menopause and perimenopause can be very disruptive, especially following a major surgical procedure.
The best way to lessen the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause is through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. At Nava Health and Vitality Center, we perform evaluations to help people going through hormone changes. Our hormone therapies can help put your body back into balance. To find out more about hormone replacement therapy, weight loss help, diagnostic services and skin care and aesthetics, make an appointment online.
Contact Nava Health and Vitality Center About Bioidentical Hormones and Weight Loss
Hormones and weight gain after 40 can go through rapid changes. The best HRT for menopause and natural aging should be administered by someone who is experienced in the medical field and who understands the body’s hormones. Call Nava Health and Vitality Center today or make an online appointment.