What procedure can induce premature menopause?

• A. Oophorectomy
• B. Hysterectomy
• C. Vasectomy
• D. Appendectomy

Answer: (A)

Premature menopause happens when ovarian hormone production ends earlier than usual. The ovaries are the main source of estrogen and progesterone, so removing them eliminates ovarian function and causes the menstrual cycles to stop and menopausal symptoms to begin right away. This is why removing the ovaries can induce surgical menopause. Removing the uterus alone stops bleeding and menses because the uterus is gone, but ovarian function can continue, so menopause isn’t necessarily triggered. Vasectomy is a male sterilization procedure with no impact on ovarian hormones, and an appendectomy has no relation to the reproductive endocrine system. So, the procedure that can induce premature menopause is removal of the ovaries.