Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Menopause (Expert Forum)
Surgical Menopause
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.
Surgical Menopause
by mum61, Jul 18, 2008 03:21AM
Dear Doctor
I have experienced an abrupt Menopause following Surgery for OVCA... I am finding the symptoms very difficult to deal with they really are intense at times. Mood swings wanting to cry feeling down , sweats and discomfort in the vulval area which has impacted on my relationship with my Husband. The tumours were receptive to Hormones so i cannot take any form of HRT my Menopause Consultant has prescribed Efexor I found this made me drowsy and sluggish really slowed up. I wondered if you had any ideas for me this is wearing me down.
Thankyou
I have experienced an abrupt Menopause following Surgery for OVCA... I am finding the symptoms very difficult to deal with they really are intense at times. Mood swings wanting to cry feeling down , sweats and discomfort in the vulval area which has impacted on my relationship with my Husband. The tumours were receptive to Hormones so i cannot take any form of HRT my Menopause Consultant has prescribed Efexor I found this made me drowsy and sluggish really slowed up. I wondered if you had any ideas for me this is wearing me down.
Thankyou
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Jul 18, 2008 10:37AM
, Jul 18, 2008 10:37AM
I'm very sorry to hear of your situation. It is a challenge. Here are some tips you can try. For vulva dryness and vaginal dryness, try Replens. It is an over the counter, non-hormonal product that one inserts into the vagina daily for two weeks and then twice per week after that. It has been shown in studies to reduce dryness. It isn't a lubricant, it is a moisturizer. About 20% of women notice a slight whitish discharge. It isn't infection, it is the Replens and some of the lining cells of the vagina which shed normally.
Efexor is a reasonable choice. Give it a few weeks to see how it is working for you or try a lower dose. Also, improving sleep can help mood. for that, ask your doctor about sleep aids such as Lunesta to help you. I have also written a sleep CD to help with falling asleep. It was originally written for my father in law who had cancer and who needed a sleep aid. It is called Lullabies for Kids of All Ages and can be found by going to CDbaby.com (http://cdbaby.com/cd/healthrock4).
For night sweats, ask your doctor about other non-hormonal prescription meds such as neurontin, or herbal approaches such as Black Cohosh 20 mg twice daily or eating soy 25 mg soy protein daily or capsules 50 to 100 mg daily.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
Efexor is a reasonable choice. Give it a few weeks to see how it is working for you or try a lower dose. Also, improving sleep can help mood. for that, ask your doctor about sleep aids such as Lunesta to help you. I have also written a sleep CD to help with falling asleep. It was originally written for my father in law who had cancer and who needed a sleep aid. It is called Lullabies for Kids of All Ages and can be found by going to CDbaby.com (http://cdbaby.com/cd/healthrock4).
For night sweats, ask your doctor about other non-hormonal prescription meds such as neurontin, or herbal approaches such as Black Cohosh 20 mg twice daily or eating soy 25 mg soy protein daily or capsules 50 to 100 mg daily.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
Member Comments (2)
by mum61, Jul 19, 2008 06:56AM
To: Dr Seibel
Thankyou so much for your helpful advice can I ask if Soya contains Oestrogen which would stimulate Endometroid tumour. Does the Cohosh affect CA125. I have been prescribed Efexor 37.5 BD does it come in a lower doseage or would once a day be helpful. Kind Regards
