Hysterectomy & alternatives

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones

What’s menopause going to be like after hysterectomy?

The simple answer is that menopause is different for every woman, whether she’s had a hysterectomy or not.

After a partial hysterectomy, you’re likely to experience a normal perimenopause and menopause, but it is hard to know when it’s starting because there are no periods to identify the initial changes. Hormone tests might show shifts, but since these levels fluctuate so much, it’s safer to rely on your symptoms to tell you what’s happening to your body.

Remember, menopause is defined by the cessation of periods for one full year for a woman with a uterus. That’s really just one point in a process that can take many years. That process still occurs in women who have no uterus, but who still have their ovaries intact, since it is the ovaries that make most of our sex hormones.

Women recovering from complete hysterectomy may wish to read our recommendations on how to support your body while recovering from surgical menopause.

For a complete list of our articles about menopause, visit our menopause section.

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Last Modified Date: 04/20/2011
Principal Author: Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP,
& Marcy Holmes, Certified Menopause Clinician