Emotional and psychological symptoms

Oopherectomy and hysterectomy are major surgeries, and they take their toll not only on our body, but on our mind too. As the symptoms of surgical menopause can cascade quickly, it’s helpful to be able to recognise symptoms that may affect your mood and emotions in order to manage them early.

It’s important to know that you are never alone in managing your mental wellbeing in surgical menopause. Speaking to a loved one, your GP, or a mental health support helpline can keep you safe while you find the best treatment to support your wellbeing.

Anxiety and panic attacks

Sudden, intense surges of panic or fear can happen out of nowhere. This is a biological response to hormonal imbalance, not a character flaw or overreaction.

  • Chest tightness and racing heart

  • Shaking or feeling detached from reality

  • A sense of dread or worry with no clear cause

  • Anxious dreams or waking in panic during the night

  • Anxiety when driving

Low mood and depression

Many women experience emotional flatness or sadness. The drop in oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone alters brain chemistry, affecting serotonin and dopamine and can leave us feeling low and depressed.

  • Loss of joy or interest in usual activities

  • Tearfulness or emotional numbness

  • Social withdrawal or loss of motivation

  • A sense of doom and feeling of hopelessness

  • Suicidal ideation: please seek help if you have thoughts of harming yourself by calling 999 or seeking support from A&E.

Irritability and mood swings

Mood swings are very common - you might feel fine one minute and furious or tearful the next, or feeling sudden peaks of rage over minor events. These mood shifts can be exhausting and confusing, including for those around you.

  • Feeling snappy or over-reactive

  • Crying easily or feeling out of control

  • Sudden peaks of anger or rage

  • Happy one minute, angry or sad in the next

  • Guilt or frustration afterwards

Loss of confidence or self-identity

As your hormones and body change, It’s common to feel not like yourself. Surgical menopause can affect the way you view yourself, and your sense of femininity. Some women report feeling disconnected, unsure, or even alien to your own personality.

  • Reduced self-esteem

  • Fear of returning to work or social situations

  • Sense of detachment from who you used to be

  • Anxiety or paranoia about how people percieve you

  • Feeling ‘alien’ in your own body

  • Not recognising yourself in the mirror or photos

  • Not wanting people to take photos of you

  • Feeling self-conscious, including during intimacy with your partner

  • Avoiding challenging yourself or new situations

  • Wanting to stay at home more than usual