What is surgical menopause?

• A. Natural aging of the ovaries
• B. Menopause induced by bilateral oophorectomy
• C. Menopause caused by chemotherapy
• D. Menopause after hysterectomy

Answer: (B)

Surgical menopause happens when both ovaries are removed, causing an immediate drop in estrogen and other ovarian hormones. Because the ovaries stop producing hormones right away, menopause symptoms come on abruptly, not gradually as they do with natural aging. This is different from natural menopause, which results from the ovaries slowly aging and failing over time, and from chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure, where the ovarian tissue is damaged but not removed. Removing the uterus alone does not trigger menopause because ovarian hormone production continues unless the ovaries are also removed. In practice, patients may experience hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, sleep disturbances, and longer-term risks to bone and cardiovascular health, and management is tailored to the individual's risk factors and hormone therapy suitability.