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 was forced into menopause at 34 years old. I still get the night sweats, the hot flashes, and Lord knows what else. But I think the things that are bothering me the most seem to do with the loss or up and coming loss of my youth. Suddenly, I'm feeling left out of the whole child bearing thing.. I see a pregnant woman and feel like I just don't matter anymore.. I feel like my sexuality is not so obvious anymore to the opposite sex.. not that it needs to be as I am married.. but I don't feel like I have that sex appeal anymore. I have been using expensive anti-wrinkle creams that I can't afford.. attempting to dress in a way that is both appealing and appropriate for my age. I think I miss being young and fear losing it forever. I am very ill so my energy stinks. I'm not able to do the things that many people my age can. Nor do I have the finances to do it. I had a gastric bypass that is really taking its tole on my emotions with regard to youth because now I see in the mirror that I am looking pretty decent.. then I'm reminded that though I look so much better, I'm not 21 anymore. I guess I've been feeling like who wants me?? Even though I'm not in the market I guess I hope that I am still marketable. Anyone else feeling this way? Anyone got any suggestions? What are you doing about it??
I don't think we can say that HRT started more than 5 years post-menopause "increases your risk of side effects." By starting it this late though, we miss the window of opportunity for some of its benefits, especially heart health. Now as far as taking it in oral form, there is the increased risk of clotting which could be more problematic if you have underlying heart disease.
In summary, the ovaries do NOT shut down at menopause. They merely change from their pre-menopausal functions (reproduction) to their post-menopausal functions of maintaining health and well-being.
"Celso Ramon Garcia, M.D. director of surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, USA, is one of the many authorities saying that the hormone produced by the postmenopausal ovaries promote bone health and skin suppleness, support sexual functioning, protect against heart disease and contribute to a woman's health and well-being." (Celso Ramon Garcia et al, "Preservation of the Ovary: A Revaluation," Fertility and Sterility , 42(4), Oct. 1984, pp 510-14)
"The removal of the ovaries is a great trauma to a woman's body at any age. The removal of the ovaries, whether or not hormone therapy is taken, makes a woman more vulnerable to osteoporosis and heart disease than women who experience natural menopause, probably because the body needs more than just oestrogen. The idea that oestrogen therapy can "replace" the work of the lost ovaries is misleading. New data on the other hormones produced by the ovary shows that it can't. Women who have their ovaries removed don't feel normal when only oestrogen is "replaced". This may relate to orgasm, libido and general wellbeing."
Dr. Susan Love postulates the following explanation for early menopause after partial hysterectomy - "The uterus may produce a hormone that responds to the ovary. Then when the uterus is gone and the feedback ends, the ovary realises it doesn't have any place to drop its eggs, so it stops trying." (Love, Susan, M.D., Dr. Susan Love's Hormone Book, Random House, N.Y., 1997 p. 177)
There are plenty of medical studies (very old as well as recent) corroborating this information as well as ACOG's Feb 2000 study showing that 76% of hysts don't meet ACOG's criteria yet hysterectomy rates have not declined.
I have read that HRT should be started soon and not taken for very long... I have read that the chances of blood clots, stroke and every other bad thing that can be caused by HRT goes way up the older you are.. and the longer you have been on it.
I think what is going to go the way of the "Lobotomy" is HRT.. way before Hysterectomy.
All of the benefits show... "some evidence" the risks are concrete!
The HRT studies were done on Premarin and Prempro, ORAL SYNTHETIC HRT. These studies cannot be "extrapolated" to all HRT's.
Funny how you've repeatedly said you don't believe medical studies, BS53, so how can you say ALL HRT is risky?
If you've been on some other hysterectomy forums, you would see that there are women who've been on HRT for decades without adverse effects.
If I'd not been hysterectomized and castrated, believe me, I highly doubt I'd be taking HRT or at least not for any length of time.
I was back home Visiting Friends and family..when I woman came up to me and started Actively Chatting...Who ARE You ? I Wanted so Bad to Ask !!
She Seen that I was Not as Animated about seeing each other "Again" as she was...so she Smiled...Stepped Back...Did a "Twirl"...and said "You Don't Recognize me" ?
She was OLD when I was Young !! Now there she Stood before me...Looking 10 Years YOUNGER Then Me..!
WTH !
Her Husband had a Fatal HA at 54...she was 49...she was also Over weight..had Diabetes..No Energy..and now she was Facing Life alone..when she babysat my Daughter she was this short, Heavy greying woman..and apparently Only in her late 30s...I would have Never guessed.
She Made some Serious Changes..Permanent Ones..She said "Growing Old Gracefully Does Not mean Giving IN To It"...She wasn't Looking to be Young Again...she was Looking to be Healthy.
She has stayed on my Mind...Gave me Hope, that with the right choices it CAN Happen for me as well..I am Deep in the Throws of Peri..and Miserable alot of the time...I am 48 and already have 2 Stents in place..for the last 3 Years I have been actively Seeking to Reverse my "Ill Health"..I have made Plans...and am Executing them.
My PT Told me it takes Just 11 Days to Form a New Habit..so I Insist on Trying anything New and Potentially "Healthy" for at Least 2 Weeks !!
I Can see you clearly in this Pic. You are a Beautiful Woman...Enhance yourself...Don't Worry about the "Age"...Worry about the Health...It Will Show !!
I'm in Denver as well! Welcome to the group.
I found this article on Bioidentical hormones.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/711157
http://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-11-2010/are_bioidentical_hormones_safe.2.html
Though.. they are probably anti HRT so they can file lawsuits for anyone who develops any of the huge list of things that can be caused by HRT.