Many medical conditions require the removal of the ovaries along with the uterus. There is an operation known as a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salping oopherectomy, or TAH/BSO. The removal of the uterus--the hysterectomy part--causes the cessation of menstruation. Removal of the ovaries results in the lack of production of the hormone estrogen. This results in premature menopause which, in this case, is called surgical menopause. Surgical menopause brings about a host of changes in the woman's body since the abrupt loss of ovaries triggers menopausal manifestations.
Loss of Memory and Confusion
MayoClinic.com, an information website produced by the Minnesota-baed Mayo Clinic, notes that oopherectomy, or removal of the ovaries, may place patients at an increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. The patient is usually unable to remember information and can appear confused. Although more studies need to be done to find a conclusive causal relation, it is postulated that estrogen may protect the brain from changes leading to aging and that premature surgical menopause may place the brain at risk. It is also hypothesized by MayoClinic.com that hormone replacement therapy until the patient reaches the age of a natural menopause may be needed to reduce the risk of dementia.
Bone Fractures
The FORCE, or Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowerment, organization indicates that estrogen has a protective effect on bone density. A decrease in bone density, known as osteopenia, is considered part of the normal aging process. A severe loss of bone density leads to increased risks of fractures due to bone weakening. This condition is called osteoporosis. Women who undergo surgical menopause after a hysterectomy with oopherectomy experience a loss of estrogen, which places them at a higher risk for both conditions. Patients can be seen with pain in the bones, especially in the legs and also with increased fractures. FORCE recommends that health care practitioners obtain a bone density test for the patient before she undergoes the hysterectomy coupled with the removal of the ovaries to determine her baseline level. The physician then should carefully monitor the bone density through a regular testing schedule.
Sudden Weight Gain
According to a study published in the April 2006 edition of the journal "Hypertension," women who experience surgical menopause may also experience high blood pressure. This can cause water retention and lead to unusual sudden weight gain. It can also result in swollen legs as well as unexplainable tiredness due to the effects on the pumping of the heart.
