Hysterectomy and Menopause
Question
I am 51, and had a hysterectomy in 2001 but still have one ovary. I just had my blood tested for menopause and was told I am in the luteal phase, not menopause. When I read up on that phase all I found was information on ovulation and infertility. How does the luteal phase tie in with menopause or does it? I thought with a hysterectomy I would have catapulted into menopause years ago.
Mary
Answer
Last Updated: February 21, 2015
Dear Mary,
The menstrual cycle consists of two phases: the follicular phase, from the first day of menses until ovulation, and the luteal phase, from ovulation until the next menses begins. It is called the luteal phase because the follicle that had contained the egg “leutenizes” upon rupture, producing higher levels of progesterone for the remainder of the cycle. Without your uterus, you are not experiencing the bleeding that would be associated with the menstrual cycle, but the cyclical hormonal changes initiated in the ovaries would still occur, until the ovaries cease functioning at menopause.
Sheila St. John
The menstrual cycle consists of two phases: the follicular phase, from the first day of menses until ovulation, and the luteal phase, from ovulation until the next menses begins. It is called the luteal phase because the follicle that had contained the egg “leutenizes” upon rupture, producing higher levels of progesterone for the remainder of the cycle. Without your uterus, you are not experiencing the bleeding that would be associated with the menstrual cycle, but the cyclical hormonal changes initiated in the ovaries would still occur, until the ovaries cease functioning at menopause.
Sheila St. John
Answered By:
Sheila St. John
Sheila St. John is the Executive Director of the California Association of Natural Family Planning, coordinating the non-profit’s education and advocacy efforts throughout the state. Initially attracted to NFP as a healthy, effective method for planning families, drug, device and surgery free, her passion for NFP has grown over the last 42 years as she has journeyed with the over 900 couples she has personally instructed in its use, and been privileged to witness its role in overcoming infertility, women’s health, and the transformation that occurs in lives of men, women, and families, when we embrace God’s design for love and life.
