Dear Meredith:

Women who have had both ovaries surgically removed (oophorectomy) during a hysterectomy will experience an abrupt menopause, known as surgical menopause, and are often hit harder by menopause symptoms like hot flashes and low libido than those who experience menopause naturally.

Surgical menopause is associated with a greater decrease in testosterone production than natural menopause, which often makes hot flashes more severe, more frequent, and longer lasting. Surgical menopause is also associated with a greater risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, and a greater chance of depression.

While estrogen replacement therapy is often recommended for women after surgical menopause, self-care is the foundation of good health and hormone balance whether a women chooses hormone replacement therapy or not. ProCycle^® Gold can provide the same benefits for a woman who has had a hysterectomy as a woman who is going through natural menopause. The vitamin was formulated to help with hot flashes, memory, mood, prevention of osteoporosis and cardiac disease, and other menopause symptoms. Essential Support Treatment Cream, Natural Progesterone Cream, and Vaginal Moisturizer may also help with menopause symptom relief.

Educating women on health care options is the personal mission of Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph., founder and CEO of Women's Health America. If you have a women's health care question, send it to Marla at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . If your question is chosen for publication, we'll send you a free sample of one of our latest health care innovations.