The short explanation
Removing both ovaries before natural menopause causes an immediate drop in oestrogen, which is called surgical menopause. Studies link early menopause, especially surgical menopause before 45, with a higher risk of heart disease and osteoporosis over time. This does not mean heart problems are certain. Regular checks of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, staying active, not smoking and a healthy diet all help. Some women who have early surgical menopause are offered hormone therapy until around the usual age of menopause; whether this suits you is a decision to make with your doctor.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- The reason for the surgery, your age, family history and other conditions all affect your individual risk.
- Bone health also needs attention after early menopause.
- Hot flushes, sleep problems and mood changes after surgical menopause can be sudden and strong; tell your doctor about these too.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot estimate your personal risk or advise on hormone therapy. Your doctor will consider your history and preferences.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- How much does my surgical menopause raise my heart risk?
- Is hormone therapy suitable for me?
- How often should I check BP, cholesterol and sugar?
- Should my bone density be checked?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 for chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or arm, sudden breathlessness, sweating or fainting.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine visit to review heart and bone health and discuss menopause symptoms.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Heart disease in women MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) World Health Organization
- High cholesterol NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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