Q. If you have had a hysterectomy but still have ovaries, do you still go through the same symptoms?
Q. What adverse affects can I expect after having a hysterectomy (leaving ovaries) at aged 52 years in perimenopausal stage in relation to menopause?

Yes, you do go through the same symptoms of menopause with or without having a hysterectomy. Women who have a hysterectomy sometimes experience a more sudden onset of menopausal symptoms but not necessarily so. Obviously menstruation ceases with a hysterectomy.

If ovaries are removed, the symptoms tend to be more severe.

Q. I had a radical hysterectomy 8 years ago and have just stopped taking HRT [Hormone Replacement Therapy] – gradually decreased the dose. I now suffer sweats during both night and day – Any suggestions?

Women who suffer badly with hot flushes after ceasing HRT (regardless of whether the uterus and/or ovaries have been removed) should consider resuming HRT. Often a low dose is sufficient to make symptoms manageable, especially as we get older.

Q. I have had a hysterectomy this month and I would like to know what  my sex, energy and my life will be like with menopause, and my relationship with my partner.

You don’t mention if your hysterectomy involved taking out your ovaries (oophorectomy) which would mean that you would now be in postmenopause, called a surgical menopause. Each women experiences menopause and having a hysterectomy in her own way: Often it depends on the reason for the hysterectomy also.

Some women are delighted not to have periods any more and find they have more energy and freedom. Other women experience more intense symptoms because of a surgical menopause and it would be important if this is the case to seek support and proper treatment for your symptoms. Your hysterectomy is fairly recent, so it is important that you take care of yourself and take things slowly. Talking to your partner about how you are feeling is really important at this time and it can be helpful to take them to medical appointments also.

Q. Is it likely that I'll get menopause early if I've had a hysterectomy but still have my ovaries?

Between 10 and 20 per cent of women who have had a hysterectomy have early menopause, between 1-4 years earlier than their expected menopause.

Q. Because I had a hysterectomy 20 years ago (still having one ovary), I did not experience any symptoms, but in the last 4 weeks I have had times where I get very sweaty for a few minutes at a time. Could this be the start of menopause? I am 51 years old but have a lot of illnesses that have similar symptoms to those I have read about.

It is very possible that you may be having symptoms due to the menopausal change. Because you are not having periods you do not have a marker to guide you. As a woman who has had a hysterectomy, having your hormone levels checked may show evidence of the perimenopausal change.

Content updated 26 August 2011