Surgical menopause: a toolkit for healthcare professionals (British Menopause Society)

Summary

Surgical menopause is the removal of both ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) before a woman goes through biological menopause. Symptoms of surgical menopause are generally similar to that of a natural or chemically induced menopause, with a few established differences. Due to the sudden loss of ovarian function in surgical menopause, pre-menopausal women might experience more severe consequences, including increased rates of overall mortality, coronary heart disease, stroke, cognitive impairment, osteoporosis and sexual dysfunction.

Surgical menopause can have significant consequences both short term and long term. Clear information and advice should be provided both before and after surgery to both the patient and their primary care team.