Life After Surgical Menopause

I am 43 years old, in good physical condition, healthy diet, low-to-no stress, and I was confronted with complex cysts in both ovaries about 2 months ago.  After going through all the diagnostic exams and receiving reports from my gyn and gyn oncologist, both recommended surgery to have my ovaries removed.

My question is, I've read the startling and frightening side effects of surgical menopause and I'm terrified.  However, I have a 10% chance of having ovarian cancer.  So, my decision is to have surgery.  I'm not in a high-risk demographic.  In fact, I'm not high-risk at all, but I still have this 10% chance of ovarian cancer.  Scared...

Will someone, everyone (more the better), share with me what life is like living with surgical menopause?  Such as 1 year to several years after surgery.  I hear a lot about the first few days and months, but what about year or year(s).

Thank you tremendously,
VanKen

[Cherie762]

Hi welcome to the forum,

I can understand your fears, 10% chance is sure in your favor but I get why your worried and I would be too. Have you had a CA125 done?

well I can tell you my story,,I had a hysterectomy in 05 and a year later a bso (tubes.overies)  nice they couldnt of done it at once sighhhh.  like you said week one a few heavy symptoms sweating etc...it got better after a month of being on vivelle dot...(estrogen only patch)  after one year I decided to experiment w/o drs advise NOT a good idea.  I stopped my estrogen..and discovered all i had was a occasional hot flash.perhaps 1 per week...as more time passed these got even fewer. Now 4 years after ovary removal my only symptom is a hot flash maybe once a month.

Now Ive been community leader here almost 2 years..and trust me I have heard it all..women who say they never need hormones feel perfect..women who say they have tried every combo out there and still are 100% miserable....I think these womenare not giving the hormones a chance...just like meds for many things such as depression it often takes 3-5 trys to get whats right for you. and you may have to wait a month or two for the meds to regulate your system.

A lot of women use herbal therapy..many claim to get help from Black Kosch,,,discuss this w your dr before taking.

Van Ken,,,we have a wonderful ovarian cancer forum,,,,its not just for those who do have it , it is also for those with questions, and concerns about possibility of cancer,,you may wish to post there also.

the surgery to remove ovaries is usually done laroscopically,,usually they remove tubes also,,,with risk of cancer I would insist. the recover is not so bad, not a walk in the park either but alot easier than a hyster.
Get house in order,,make up some frozen meals,,,line someone up to help you for fist week. you should not do any lifting, excessive bending no sex for 6 weeks or until drs ok,,,it may be longer. buy your favorite magazines, crafts you can do while on couch, rent a few good movies..etc..

Please stay in touch...let me know how you are,,also do know you are very welcomed to send me a pm any time if you need someone to talk too.

I appologise for not answering your thread sooner.

Hugs,
Cherie

[Cherie762]

forgot,

drs low down in short on hormones

cardiologist...claim they are bad for heart.

osteopaths (bone drs) claim they are very important for bone health...I had some bone issues , now I take vit D and drink lots of calcium products.