How to identify artificial or surgical menopause
The symptoms and impacts of artificial or induced menopause
Menopause is a natural part of the ageing process. Officially marked by 12 consecutive months without a period, menopause signifies the end of a women’s reproductive years. But menopause can also occur for other reasons, such as surgery or chemotherapy. This is known as artificial menopause, medical menopause, induced menopause or surgical menopause. These are all slightly different terms for the same phenomenon, the onset of menopause being caused by artificial factors rather than the natural ageing process.
This can result in menopause occuring earlier than it would naturally. The average age for a woman to begin menopause is 52, someone undergoing induced menopause may experience it much earlier.
Induced menopause occurs when ovarian function ceases, and the ovaries stop producing eggs. There are many medical reasons this can occur, and it is not always cancer related. Although surgical menopause is often associated with treatments for ovarian or uterine cancer, it can also be cause by preventative surgeries removing tumors or cysts and sometimes by treatment of endometriosis. Induced menopause can be caused by treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or more general surgery.
Some cancers depend on hormones to develop. Hormone-dependent breast cancers, for example, are stimulated by female hormones such as estrogen. Treatments to fight these cancers involve blocking the action of estrogen. Induced menopause then becomes a side-effect of these treatments, which are blocking the action of hormones to prevent the development of cancer cells.
This kind of induced menopause may be reversible once treatment has been stopped. However, can be definitive after undergoing surgery, such as the removal of both ovaries.
Whether you are experiencing natural or surgical menopause, the drop in hormone levels will cause the same potential symptoms. Every woman will experience induced menopause differently, just like women experiencing menopause naturally will. That means you may experience all these symptoms, just a few or none at all. These are the most common symptoms associated with both natural and surgical menopause:
- Hot flushes
- Mood changes
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Muscle and joint discomfort
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Urinary problems
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Loss of libido
However, these common menopausal symptoms are often felt more severely by women undergoing induced menopause. This is because naturally menopausal women will experience the shift gradually, with a slow decline in hormones giving the body time to adjust. Surgical menopause is often caused by an abrupt drop in hormone levels, leading to intensified symptoms in the women experiencing it.
HOW TO RELIEVE THE SYMPTOMS OF INDUCED MENOPAUSE
Although hormone therapy is the most common treatment for menopause, HRT is not the right solution for many women experiencing surgical menopause. If HRT is contraindicated, and not a possible treatment for you, there are other alternatives.
This product uses alternatives that have neither a hormonal mechanism of action nor phytoestrogenic activity, by using purified and specific cytoplasmic pollen extracts.
This supplement is scientifically proven to reduce intensity and frequency of hot flushes and improve sleep. * Lachowsky M. et al., Evaluation of the quality and tolerance of Serelys ® in women during perimenopause and menopause. Genesis, 2015. Volume 183, 10-13.
This is an alternative solution for women undergoing induced menopause who are unable to take hormone replacement therapy but is also the perfect option for any woman seeking an alternative route.
If you have any questions or concerns about how it will interact with your treatments, always ask a medical professional for advice.
For optimal results, take Sérélys once a day, in the morning or evening.
Maximum efficacy is reached after two months. For lasting effects, continue taking Sérélys for as long as you feel the need. Suitable for vegans, this supplement is encased in a vegetable capsule and contains no lactose or gluten.
Live your menopause well, naturally.
