Removing a woman’s ovaries through surgery is the most common process done that induces early menopause. This kind of surgery is very important especially if an ovarian cancer has been diagnosed and has spread on both ovaries. Most women prefer the removal of both ovaries so as to lower the risk of cancer especially if she has a family history of ovarian cancer or if she is tested positive to the mutation of BRCA genes. Both of which will lead to the induced or surgical menopause. Induced menopause, like natural menopause, causes menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. Knowing how to alleviate these symptoms can help ease the uncomfortable situation which menopausal symptoms brings. Here are specific tips on how to treat surgical menopause.
Tip #1: Learn about Menopausal Side Effects
Not every woman experiences the following side effects and if so, each woman suffers from these symptoms at different levels. The side effects of menopause include hot flashes, weight gain, mood changes, fatigue, memory changes, bladder problems, vaginal dryness, decreased in sexual libido, insomnia and other problems regarding sleep issues.
Tip #2: Try Hormone Replacement Therapy
The most common available treatment for surgical menopause is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). After the surgery which induces early menopause, there is estrogen loss because there are no longer ovaries that produce hormones. Through hormone replacement therapy, hormones like estrogen, testosterone and progesterone are replaced.
Tip #3: Weigh HRT Pros and Cons
Estrogen for example can help ease vaginal dryness. However, the amount of hormones received through HRT is usually less than what the ovaries produced before menopause. Therefore, HRT have still some risks and these should be discussed with your doctor. Compare the possible risks and benefits you can get from HRT and its up for you to decide if you want to undergo hormone replacement therapy.
Tip #4: Try Bio-Identical Hormones
Bio-identical hormones are hormone replacements that are chemically the same like the hormones that the body produces. The body cannot differentiate the body’s own hormones with these hormone replacement preparations.
Tip #5: Increase Calcium
One effect of surgical menopause is that it can cause weakening of the bones. Menopausal women should consume then enough amounts of calcium to cover up this problem. The recommended dosage of calcium a day is 1200 milligrams. You can get adequate amount of calcium through calcium supplements or from foods or from both. Vitamin D supplement can help the body for the absorption of calcium.
Tip #6: Exercise
Exercise is also required after surgical menopause. This cannot only help improve mood but lower the risk of developing osteoporosis as well. A weight bearing exercise and resistance exercises will strengthen the bones and prevent the loss of calcium too.
Tip #7: Use Antidepressants
Antidepressants after surgical menopause help improve mood and relieve menopausal side effects like hot flashes. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs can lessen the occurrence of hot flashes and can also reduce its intensity.
You have found ways to treat surgical menopause accordingly. Your options begin with knowing the side effects of surgical menopause then goes down to weighing about HRT. You also have calcium, exercise and antidepressants to help you with.
