Health concerns and quality of life in surgical menopause

• Author Details:   
• Riza Sangamam
• Sreelakshmy K

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Objective: To study the health concerns and quality of life in patients with surgical menopause.
Materials and Method: The study was conducted on 120 women in the age group 40-50 years who had total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo- oophorectomy for benign pathology over a period of 9 months. The patients were followed up for one year after surgery. Their general health quality of life and menopausal symptoms were assessed.
Results: Vasomotor symptoms were the most common affecting 68% of patients. Genitourinary symptoms like dyspareunia, vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence affected about 51% of patients. Back aches and joint pains were present in 33% females. Vasomotor symptoms were more prominent in the early menopausal age group (40-45years) while genitourinary and locomotor symptoms were more common in the late menopausal age group (>45years).
Conclusion: Surgical menopause leads to severe postmenopausal symptoms. Estrogen replacement should be considered in all symptomatic patients. During hysterectomy for benign pathology, ovaries should be removed only if properly indicated.

Keywords: Surgical menopause, Estrogen, Menopausal symptoms, Hot flashes, Salpingo- oophorectomy