Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
I had a Hysterectomy 7 years ago...In that 7 years I have suffered badly from anxiety to addiction and everything in between. Recently while cleaning my files I came upon my documents from the surgery the first was the discussion between my GYN and Myself that stated...Patient wants to make sure to keep ovaries,(there was no reason to remove them) I then read the surgical notes that stated that both my ovaries were removed....What???? I tried to contact the Dr but she is no longer practicing in NH. In a way I'm relieved to know that I'm not just a basket case but angry at the horrible things i've been through. Where do I go from here? I dream of being me again. Will I ever be me again?
Since you didn't even know this I assume you haven't been on estrogen all these years? No wonder you've suffered so! A naturally menopausal woman probably has more hormones than you.
Sadly, healthy ovaries are removed WAY too often - during about 73% of hysterectomies. And it oftentimes doesn't matter what was verbally "agreed upon" between surgeon and patient. The consent forms are written to give the surgeon the "upper hand." Yet surgeons wouldn't dare remove a man's testicles unless he has cancer!
I too fell into the hysterectomy trap. My organs were removed for a benign ovarian cyst. My world fell apart that day and it's been a hard road to recover part of my former self.
Thank you for your response and pointing out that surgical menopause and natural menopause are different, so unnatural (forced). I haven't been to a GYN since my Hysterectomy. Should I go to a GYN or is there a specialist in HRT? Is it safe to use OTC HRT till I get in to a Dr?
If you haven't had uterine or breast cancer then you shouldn't have any problems getting a doctor to Rx estrogen. But you may want to read up on what's available and what form you'd like to try (bio-ID vs synthetic, patch, gel, ring, pill) instead of just settling for whatever the doctor offers. The doctor may just be pushing whatever product he got as samples from the latest drug rep. If you have a primary care doctor, he/she may be willing to manage your HRT. In the meantime, I don't see why you couldn't take an OTC menopausal product.
I'm curious what symptoms you're having especially since it's been 7 years. It seems like being hormone deficient that long would take a toll but then maybe the body readjusts somewhat.
I'm sorry it has taken so long to respond.
You had asked what my symptoms are after 7 years without hormones, Well... I'm not so sure what I feel but I'm not the same person I was. I sometimes question is it because I'm older (42) and my body falling apart and medical problems (back, lung, skin, thyroid) would have happened anyway. I think I may have learned to live with some of the symptoms and I'm on medication to help with depression and anxiety. I still have a hard time though (maybe i wont need them when i start HRT) although I don't cry as much its still too much, my head sweats so badly that people will ask if I'm ok, its embarrassing, I can never make up my mind or concentrate . I use to get what I called ovary pain and I still every now and then think I'm getting ovary pain. Is that common? I just hope I'm not setting myself for a huge disappointment if hormones don't help me. I was happy to know I wasn't just crazy when I found out about my ovaries but that it (hopefully) is from the hysterectomy. Ill let you know how I feel when I start therapy.
Are you on thyroid meds? What happened to your lungs? I have some abdominal pains too. I've had bowel issues since the surgery and I suspect it's from that and I may have adhesions. Back problems tend to happen because the spine compresses and the rib cage falls once the uterine ligaments (pelvic supports) are severed. That causes a bigger belly too.
I became suicidally depressed and anxious and had many other symptoms post-hysterectomy. I resisted anti-depressants and once I got enough estrogen in my body, the depression and anxiety lifted and the other symptoms resolved for the most part. If I hadn't gone on estrogen, I suspect I'd be on an AD, an anti-anxiety med, a sleep med, an energy booster, and who knows what else! Or I may not even be here.
I'm also in the Dr. removed prefectly healthy ovaries club!
My Doc thought I had a malignancy which turned out to be benign thank goodness. It's been just over 3 years for me. I have been fortunate and haven't had unpleasant symptoms of living without my sexual organs and I'm not on HRT. I actually had unpleasant symptoms when I was fully intact. PMS that included joint aches and mood changes, acne and excessive hair shedding, water retention and weight gain. Taking it one day at a time here!
I hope that you find something to improve your quality of life! welcome back.
Remember, you may have to try a few different typez of HRT zo if the firt one doez not work you have many optionz.
I hope you get relief, better yet all better!