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Menopause (Expert Forum)
? menopausal sxs
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy , hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis , sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
? menopausal sxs
by grace77, Nov 02, 2005 12:00AM
I am 41 yrs old and had a TAH 6 yrs ago- both ovaries were left. Is it more likely to have menopausal earlier with a TAH vs not having a hysterectomy? I am experiencing hot flashes,vaginal dryness, decreased libido, sweating more- I feel like I did postpartum. I am not sure what to do but it is driving me crazy.Should I have lab work to see what the hormone levels are? I also have mitochondial myopathy but not sure this has anything to do with these sxs. I also have chronic yeast infections- on every pap smear I have- it always comes back as having yeast. I have tried monistat and others but not much has helped.I do not have adischarge but itching,burning etc. Thanks for your help.
Linda
Linda
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Nov 03, 2005 12:00AM
, Nov 03, 2005 12:00AM
A. In general, having a TAH should not make it more likely to have menopause. Sometimes surgery can affect the blood supply to the ovaries and make menopause come earlier, but your surgery was 6 years ago so that doesn’t sound like it was the case. However, your symptoms of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, decreased libido and sweating are very typical of menopause and it does sound like you are going through that now. It is a good idea to have lab work to see if you are going through menopause. Ask your doctor to get a blood test for FSH, estradiol and testosterone. FSH will start to increase as your ovaries stop producing eggs, and is a test used to help diagnose menopause. You might also have low blood levels of estrogen and testosterone. If so, you will have to discuss the benefits and risks of taking these hormones or consider alternatives to them.
For the vaginal dryness, consider an over the counter vaginal gel called Replens. The recommendation is to use that daily for a week and twice a week after that. It should work fairly quickly if it is going to help you. You will need to stay on it for it to continue to be effective. If you continue to have a chronic yeast infection, ask your doctor about taking an oral antifungal agent to help get rid of it. You can also speak with a nutritionist about how diet can contribute to this problem. Some people with chronic yeast also have undiagnosed diabetes. Ask your doctor to check your urine for sugar, or have a fasting blood test for glucose.
You will have to ask your doctor about the mitochondrial myopathy and its effects on you. That condition can cause tiredness and a lack of energy and many other things, but I do not think it affects menopause directly.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
For the vaginal dryness, consider an over the counter vaginal gel called Replens. The recommendation is to use that daily for a week and twice a week after that. It should work fairly quickly if it is going to help you. You will need to stay on it for it to continue to be effective. If you continue to have a chronic yeast infection, ask your doctor about taking an oral antifungal agent to help get rid of it. You can also speak with a nutritionist about how diet can contribute to this problem. Some people with chronic yeast also have undiagnosed diabetes. Ask your doctor to check your urine for sugar, or have a fasting blood test for glucose.
You will have to ask your doctor about the mitochondrial myopathy and its effects on you. That condition can cause tiredness and a lack of energy and many other things, but I do not think it affects menopause directly.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
Member Comments (2)
by timebomb, Jan 11, 2006 12:00AM
I just found this site. I hope someone can help. I am 47 new to this site, started with terrible skipped heart beats. They are driving me crazy. I don't know if it is perimenopause. My cardiologists has cleared me, says there is nothing wrong with my heart. As for General practitioner he says live with it. So, I feel like I am on my own. I am so anxious and depressed, which I don't know if this is part of perimenopause or if I am depressed and anxious over the irregular heart beat. I have no ability to cope or think logically. If anyone has any advice, I would so desperately appreciate it. My life is consumed with irregular heart beats, irrational thinking, depression, anxiety without any diagnosis. This came on about 2 months ago, please help.
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