Hysterectomy and Mood: Does Ovary Preservation Prevent Mood Swings?

Hysterectomy (uterus removal) alone does not cause hormonal menopause if ovaries are conserved. Ovarian hormone production continues until natural menopause.

Mood Changes Post-Hysterectomy

• Psychological: Grief, loss of fertility, body image, sexual identity.
• Surgical Stress: Pain, anesthesia, recovery fatigue.
• If Oophorectomy Done: Surgical menopause → abrupt estrogen loss → mood lability, hot flashes, sleep disruption.

Evidence

Longitudinal studies (e.g., Hysterectomy and Ovarian Conservation) show no increase in depressive symptoms at 2 years for ovary-conserved women vs. controls. Oophorectomy increases depression/anxiety risk.

Management

• Pre-op counseling on expectations.
• Hormone therapy (if oophorectomy, no contraindication).
• Screen for depression at follow-up.