Medically induced menopause doesn't offer a women the chance to enter menopause gradually. While physicians conducting hysterectomies no longer routinely remove otherwise healthy ovaries as a "preventive" measure, there are still many, many oophorectomies performed each year. When the ovaries are removed surgically, or when a woman undergoes chemotherapy or radiation treatments intense enough to halt ovarian function, menopause will be immediate. This immediate change is tough: abrupt estrogen withdrawal causes more dramatic symptoms dealing with surgery or a major illness is stressful enough; to add another unexpected layer of problems seems a bit much. our society offers very little support or recognition of the added worries for a young menopausal woman. To deal most effectively with the change: find an empathetic doctor who will not only be helpful through a rough transition, but who is aware of the long-term health implications and risks of both osteoporosis and heart disease. consider talking with a therapist or joining a support group, or search to find women "in the same boat". Sharing information about doctors, treatments, and coping strategies can help assuage the burden of the unexpected "change."   ABOUT THIS PROGRAM | UNDERSTANDING MENOPAUSE | WEATHERING THE CHANGE | MORE INFORMATION | RETURN TO THE CHANGE MAIN PAGE © 1998 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.