Navigating Surgical Menopause: My Journey Through Hysterectomy, Hormones and Healing

I had a hysterectomy on 8th August 2019. It’s strange how a single date can stick with you, especially when it’s tied to something as life-changing as surgery. Over the years, I’ve had multiple operations, yet this is the only one I can pinpoint so clearly, not just the year but the exact date.

That speaks volumes. It reminds me just how much that surgery altered my life — initially for the worse, but ultimately, for the better. It also serves as a reminder of the trauma I experienced before the surgery and the toughest year-and-a-half of my life following it.

I won’t go into too much detail about the medical struggles I faced leading up to the hysterectomy, but suffice it to say, it was a difficult and challenging time. After multiple tests, I was diagnosed with severe dysplasia, which, if left untreated, could have developed into cancer. On top of that, I had Endometriosis and suspected Adenomyosis, and I was told I would likely struggle to fall pregnant.

To our surprise, and joy, I was extremely lucky enough to fall pregnant, but this only added to the stress of my medical journey. Navigating a difficult pregnancy while working full-time was a challenge, but in February 2016, my husband and I were thrilled to welcome our son, Cole.

Unfortunately, after his birth, many of my health issues resurfaced. After much consideration, I was advised to have a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAHBSO), which removes the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.

At only 39, I underwent open surgery. I spent five hours in the operating theatre and came to in recovery with staples holding me together from hip to hip. I spent five nights in hospital, a challenge when you have a 3-year-old at home. Thankfully, my husband stepped up in every way, so I didn’t have to worry about Cole.

I was prepared, to some extent, for the physical recovery. I expected pain — after all, I’ve had multiple major surgeries before. I knew the drill: patience, time, and persistence. What I wasn’t prepared for was being thrust into “surgical menopause” almost overnight.

No one had warned me about the psychological and emotional toll this would take. The hot flashes, dry skin, and insomnia were the least of my worries. The most overwhelming symptom was the sudden onset of panic and anxiety. I had never felt anything like it before.

After 12 weeks, I was deemed “fit enough” to return to work. I was eager to get back to normal, but what I didn’t realise was that my “normal” had changed drastically. I felt like someone had removed half of my brain. I couldn’t concentrate in meetings, and I struggled to think on my feet. My confidence plummeted, and I became easily frustrated. My hormones were out of control, and I had no way to rein them in.

While my employer was understanding when it came to the physical side of my recovery, there was little support when it came to the emotional impact. The hardest part was that I didn’t even realise how much my mental health was suffering. One morning, while driving to work in tears, I had to pull over. I immediately called my doctor, feeling as though I was on the verge of a breakdown.

It was a relief when the doctor explained that it wasn’t me — that I wasn’t going crazy. It was the hormones controlling me, a result of the surgery and the onset of surgical menopause. Finally, I understood that my emotional and mental struggles were valid.

Despite being prescribed HRT, the “one-size-fits-all” approach didn’t work for me. This marked the beginning of a long, often frustrating journey with hormone replacement therapy. Months of trial and error with different types and doses, countless blood tests, and 18 months later, I finally began to feel like myself again.

The aftermath of all of this led me to leave the job I had at the time. I needed time to regroup and reassess what I wanted from my career. Eventually, I found a new opportunity at Dunelm, where I could start fresh and build a new path forward.

It’s heartening to see more open conversations around menopause today, both in the public domain and particularly at Dunelm. Many companies are now introducing policies that make a significant difference in the lives of menopausal women. But beyond practical support, workplace culture needs to change too.

Precise data on the exact number of women experiencing surgical menopause in the UK is not readily available. According to available data, it’s estimated that only 3–8% of women in the UK may go through early menopause (including surgical menopause). The reality is that all women will experience menopause in some way.

Businesses must recognise the value of the women in their workforce who are experiencing menopause. If they don’t, many will continue to leave. It doesn’t have to come with a financial cost. It’s about recognising the impact of menopause, understanding the different variations of menopause, including surgical menopause and making the effort to create an environment where women can talk openly about it.

Training all managers to handle these conversations with sensitivity and providing practical support can make a world of difference. That’s how workplace culture will evolve to support menopausal employees.

#menopause #mentalhealth #surgicalmenopause #hormones #hysterectomy