Menopause is a natural phase in every woman’s life. Most Indian women experience it between the ages of 45 and 55. But not all menopause journeys are the same. For some women, menopause happens suddenly because of surgery. This is called surgical menopause.
Many women—especially those with a family history of cancer or certain health conditions—often ask:
“Is surgical menopause different from natural menopause when it comes to breast cancer risk?”
The short answer is yes, there are important differences. Let’s understand this in a simple and clear way.
What Is Natural Menopause?
Natural menopause happens when a woman’s ovaries slowly reduce the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. This process usually takes several years and is gradual.
Women may notice irregular periods, hot flashes, mood changes, or sleep issues before periods stop completely. Because the hormone levels fall slowly, the body gets time to adjust to these changes.
What Is Surgical Menopause?
Surgical menopause happens when both ovaries are removed through surgery.
This may be done during a hysterectomy, treatment for ovarian problems, or as a preventive step for women at high risk of cancer.
In surgical menopause, hormone levels drop suddenly, not gradually. This often leads to stronger symptoms like intense hot flashes, emotional changes, vaginal dryness, and bone health concerns. Surgical menopause can also happen at a much younger age than natural menopause.
How Are Hormones Linked to Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is closely linked to hormones, especially estrogen. The longer a woman’s body is exposed to estrogen during her lifetime, the higher her breast cancer risk may be.
Early periods, late menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and obesity after menopause can all increase lifetime estrogen exposure. This is why the timing and type of menopause play an important role in breast cancer risk.
Surgical Menopause and Breast Cancer Risk
When ovaries are removed before natural menopause, estrogen levels fall sharply. This means the body has less overall exposure to estrogen across a lifetime. Because of this, surgical menopause—especially when it happens at a younger age—can lower the risk of breast cancer.
For women with a strong family history of breast cancer or genetic mutations like BRCA, removing the ovaries can significantly reduce breast cancer risk. In such cases, surgical menopause is sometimes recommended as a preventive step.
However, symptoms after surgical menopause can be severe. To manage these symptoms, many women are advised hormone replacement therapy (HRT). If HRT is used for long periods or without proper medical supervision, it may increase breast cancer risk. This is why personalised treatment and regular follow-ups are essential.
Natural Menopause and Breast Cancer Risk
In natural menopause, estrogen levels reduce gradually. After menopause, breast cancer risk generally decreases compared to pre-menopausal years. However, the risk does not completely disappear.
Post-menopausal women who are overweight may still have higher estrogen levels because fat tissue produces estrogen. This is why maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and eating balanced meals are important even after menopause.
Key Differences in Simple Words
Natural menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, and hormone levels fall slowly. Symptoms are often milder, and not all women need hormone therapy. Breast cancer risk reduces gradually after menopause.
Surgical menopause can happen at any age, often much earlier, and hormone levels drop suddenly. Symptoms tend to be more intense, and hormone therapy is more commonly needed. If ovaries are removed early, breast cancer risk may reduce more, but hormone use must be carefully managed.
What Indian Women Should Keep in Mind
Every woman’s body is different. Breast cancer risk depends on many factors such as age, family history, lifestyle, weight, and hormone use. Surgical menopause is not automatically risky for breast cancer—in many cases, it may actually be protective.
Regular breast screening, including self-examination and doctor-recommended tests, is important for all women, regardless of how menopause occurs.
Dr. Pragati Singhal
