Surgical menopause in reproductive women

Abstract

Introduction. Surgical menopause is an issue with increasing significance in clinical practice due to its high frequency and increased morbidity. The aim of the study was to review the relevant literature data on surgical menopause in women of reproductive age. Materials and method. We performed a review of the currently available data in the PubMed database regarding the hormonal status and the effects of surgically induced menopause on women’s health. The keyword used for the search was “surgical menopause”. Results. Surgical menopause is a condition with the cessation of menstrual function that occurs in ovarectomy without hysterectomy, or ovarectomy with hysterectomy, or hysterectomy with the preservation of one or both ovaries, or after ovarian resection. In the case of the first two types, a severe estrogen deficiency occurs, and the first symptoms of surgical menopause develop very quickly, the vasomotor symptoms appearing already in the first two days after surgery. In case of hysterectomy with ovarian retention, in most women the symptoms of menopause appear gradually and seem to be similar but less dramatic compared to the first two cases. Studies show that surgical menopause involves serious health changes, including decreased bone density, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and mental health problems. Conclusions. Surgical menopause leads to a series of endocrine-metabolic, neurovegetative and psychoemotional disorders, due to the estrogen deficiency, which determines the need for an early diagnosis and the use of hormone replacement therapy.