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Iatrogenic Menopause

Meaning

Iatrogenic menopause is the premature cessation of ovarian function and subsequent decline in endogenous sex hormone production caused directly by medical intervention or treatment. This condition is most commonly induced by surgical removal of the ovaries, known as bilateral oophorectomy, or by chemotherapy and radiation therapy that damage ovarian tissue. Unlike natural menopause, which is a gradual physiological process, iatrogenic menopause is abrupt, often leading to a more immediate and severe presentation of menopausal symptoms and potential long-term health sequelae.