Aa
Surgical Menopause and what to expect
I will be having a total hysterectomy with a bilateral salpingo oopherectomy on July 12th. I am 42 years old and I know this will throw me right into menopause. I plan on doing hormone replacement therapy. Any advice as to what to expect? Has anyone tried all natural hormones?
Hi,
I cut and pasted from a recent posting ....all about hormones, mostly Bioidentical hormones. I have been using them for almost 7 years, but I still pick up my research books (like I did just last night) so that I can continue to clearly understand this whole complicated mess.
Print the following or save it to your hard drive...and, please look into the books...just so you will have as much info as possible. There may be many options for you, but you have to do the research. I cannot stress that enough. Best of luck to you!
********************************************************************************
I went running for help three months after my hysterectomy (total) back in 2000. It takes three months for the Progesterone in the system to totally leave your body. In case you were not always ovulating, then there would have been a low level of Progesterone to begin with (suffering the symptoms of perimenopause), but three months after the surgery....
Well, let's put it this way, my 60 year old husband makes more progesterone in his body now than I do...although I supplement it now by using bioidentical progesterone along with the small amount of bioidentical estrogen that I also use and have used since the day after my surgery. I also use two types of testosterone...
The forgetfulness can be very scary and yes, it can affect job performance. I have a whole new respect for the female hormones since I had my surgery, that's for sure. I still have to stay on top of the matter even though I have been using the bio's for over six years. I can tell when I am "off."
I would highly recommend that you pick up some info on the hormonal situation since it can be so grossly confusing and you are bound to get a lot of conflicting information. You have to research this yourself so you know what you are talking about and what you are looking for.
It might take up to three months for you to build it back up and for you to notice the effects. There is a lot of controvery here since personally I like to take the estrogen for vaginal dryness, bladder issues, itchy/dry skin issues, night sweats, hot flashes, irritability, memory, fatigue, libido, etc, and to keep the cell receptors open in our system so that the progesterone can be utilized appropriately. Some women who've had total hysters use Progesterone only (again, the bio kind) but I like the benefits from using both estrogen and Progesterone and I have my doctor's okay.
Progesterone (not PROGESTIN or PROGESTAGEN....these are NOT NOT NOT the same thing....You will get arguments about that) anyway....(sorry...I get a bit passionate here) will help you with mood, calmness, memory fog, fatigue, sleep issues, as does the estrgen, also Progesterone helps build back bone, helps keep cholesterol in check and thyroid, too. The testosterone is good for mood, clarity of mind, libido, of course, clumsiness (that's right) problems with allergies, loud noises, and confusion.
Christianne Northrup's book, "The Wisdom of Menopause" is my favorite book....(she talks a great deal about Progesterone either over the counter or the slightly different type you get at a Compounding pharmacy (they also make bio progesterone pills that are commercially made and can be picked up at a regular pharmacy).
I would pick the book up quickly, if you can. I also like Erika Schwartz, MD. Both also have websites and Erika puts out a newsletter...actually they both do, I just keep forgetting to sign up for Chris Northrup's letter....
I wish someone had helped me out like this.. I had to do it all on my own. My doc was not familiar with Progesterone, the bio kind, and only got me on the estrogen. As I said, Three months later, I thought I was losing my mind. Seriously. I was ELATED when I got it back, but this did not happen for about 8 months....wish we'd had this type of info exchange back then.
I am at 20% strength twice a day now (Progesterone) so I get mine from a compounding pharmacy. The stress I have been under is BAD and BIG and the thought is that my body was using all the progesterone for making Cortisol. So, my progesterone levels were/have been very low. We are trying to get them up. That is why I am on the high amount. And, I have to supplement with Prometrium, the oral bioidentical progesterone since the 20% cream is the highest level and if I just added more cream, I would just be "sticky." :)
Now, the OTC stuff is only 2% but that was what I used for years. I used a 2% cream from the compounder, too, and a 3% cream, too. The compounders "micronize" the cream so it is dispersed differently or more efficiently, and they can adjust the amounts...and, there is blessedly no scent to the compounders brand. I have "scent issues" but did you know that a lack of testosterone can cause a low tolerance for scents....and all those poor people I could not stand to be around cuz they had perfume on! Things are better in that area now.
Initially I worked with a Compounding pharmacist (about fifty miles from here) and he and I woud coordinate with my doc and yet the Compounder sort of "ran the show" since he knew more than my doc did and my doc was willing to learn. So for years, that is how we did it. Got a little confusing, but it worked.
The testosterone initially came from my doctor after I sat in his office four months after the hyster crying that I found sex thoroughly disgusting for the first time in my life. HORRIBLE feeling. The testosterone helped a great deal. It is "off label" since it is not approved by the FDA for women to use it. My doctor gave it to me and the person with whom I work now on all this has me using two types. One 1% type I put on the inner thigh every day. The 2% type I put on the "critical" area (use your imagination) and that helps like crazy. When you get this in a scrip, and you can get this from a regular pharmacy, like Target...you don't need a compounder for this, make sure you get it in a cream formula, not a "Vaseline" formula. It absorbs better in the cream.
**Another book***Dr. Uzzi Reiss...hope I spelled name right....wrote "Natural Hormones for Women." I would get that book too...He talks a ton about testosterone. I am facing surgery for bladder issues and I am trying to avoid them by "tightening" that area, so I use the testosterone for that if for nothing else. It helps with vaginal dryness so much, too. Even if a person is not sexually active, that dryness can hurt so badly...I could feel the dryness just walking sometimes. Local Estrogen, like Estrace, which is a bio, is also good for this. Using it just in the vagina will not effect the whole body's amount of estrogen. You use it for two weeks straight and then about three days a week after that.
What I do now:
It took time, but I found a great person, a Nurse Practioner who works for a Urologist, who is my "guide" and they actually take my insurance. So, I don't work with the compounder who started me out on all this after I did the research and presented the info to my doctor (to start the progesterone)...my doc, as I said, got me on the testosterone, and my Oncologist started me on the Vivelle Patch, which is the bio estrogen I use.
But, I wanted to have the blood levels checked more regularly and I wanted more "attention to detail" and I found this great lady. She is one of three who work in this office monitoring the bio's for the patients. They are "overseen" by a doc who works with women and men who want the help with hormones...I am trying to get my husband to see them...He has low testosterone issues and here I am the one feeling interested in the whole sexual issue....geez...when can we all get on the same page, you know?!!!
I am the one who threw away the white gold earrings my husband gave to me for our 25th wedding anniversary. So, sometimes I am unbalanced and need to get straighted out hormonally.
Mary
*****************************************************************
p.s. I just read your post again and see you asked about natural hormones. Often in the past, the Bioidentical hormones were refered to as "Natural Hormones" ...they have been around since the 50's, but, there is a push to use the word "Bioidentical" since for example, if a woman uses a synthetic hormone like Premarin, well, it is made from horses urine and so sometimes this is called 'natural' but it is only natural if you are a horse. By the way, the synthetic hormones are not generally recommended anymore...but you will learn all about this when you research this stuff. Bioidenticals treat the symptoms of menopause rather than mask the symptoms and they are made so that they are identical to what your body once made (or makes...since many women who have not had a hysterectomy use these, too).
If you don't mind, could you let me know if you see this post...just a quick "got it" or something...sometimes these older posts get lost quickly and I just wanted to make sure you got it....
THANKS!
I cut and pasted from a recent posting ....all about hormones, mostly Bioidentical hormones. I have been using them for almost 7 years, but I still pick up my research books (like I did just last night) so that I can continue to clearly understand this whole complicated mess.
Print the following or save it to your hard drive...and, please look into the books...just so you will have as much info as possible. There may be many options for you, but you have to do the research. I cannot stress that enough. Best of luck to you!
********************************************************************************
I went running for help three months after my hysterectomy (total) back in 2000. It takes three months for the Progesterone in the system to totally leave your body. In case you were not always ovulating, then there would have been a low level of Progesterone to begin with (suffering the symptoms of perimenopause), but three months after the surgery....
Well, let's put it this way, my 60 year old husband makes more progesterone in his body now than I do...although I supplement it now by using bioidentical progesterone along with the small amount of bioidentical estrogen that I also use and have used since the day after my surgery. I also use two types of testosterone...
The forgetfulness can be very scary and yes, it can affect job performance. I have a whole new respect for the female hormones since I had my surgery, that's for sure. I still have to stay on top of the matter even though I have been using the bio's for over six years. I can tell when I am "off."
I would highly recommend that you pick up some info on the hormonal situation since it can be so grossly confusing and you are bound to get a lot of conflicting information. You have to research this yourself so you know what you are talking about and what you are looking for.
It might take up to three months for you to build it back up and for you to notice the effects. There is a lot of controvery here since personally I like to take the estrogen for vaginal dryness, bladder issues, itchy/dry skin issues, night sweats, hot flashes, irritability, memory, fatigue, libido, etc, and to keep the cell receptors open in our system so that the progesterone can be utilized appropriately. Some women who've had total hysters use Progesterone only (again, the bio kind) but I like the benefits from using both estrogen and Progesterone and I have my doctor's okay.
Progesterone (not PROGESTIN or PROGESTAGEN....these are NOT NOT NOT the same thing....You will get arguments about that) anyway....(sorry...I get a bit passionate here) will help you with mood, calmness, memory fog, fatigue, sleep issues, as does the estrgen, also Progesterone helps build back bone, helps keep cholesterol in check and thyroid, too. The testosterone is good for mood, clarity of mind, libido, of course, clumsiness (that's right) problems with allergies, loud noises, and confusion.
Christianne Northrup's book, "The Wisdom of Menopause" is my favorite book....(she talks a great deal about Progesterone either over the counter or the slightly different type you get at a Compounding pharmacy (they also make bio progesterone pills that are commercially made and can be picked up at a regular pharmacy).
I would pick the book up quickly, if you can. I also like Erika Schwartz, MD. Both also have websites and Erika puts out a newsletter...actually they both do, I just keep forgetting to sign up for Chris Northrup's letter....
I wish someone had helped me out like this.. I had to do it all on my own. My doc was not familiar with Progesterone, the bio kind, and only got me on the estrogen. As I said, Three months later, I thought I was losing my mind. Seriously. I was ELATED when I got it back, but this did not happen for about 8 months....wish we'd had this type of info exchange back then.
I am at 20% strength twice a day now (Progesterone) so I get mine from a compounding pharmacy. The stress I have been under is BAD and BIG and the thought is that my body was using all the progesterone for making Cortisol. So, my progesterone levels were/have been very low. We are trying to get them up. That is why I am on the high amount. And, I have to supplement with Prometrium, the oral bioidentical progesterone since the 20% cream is the highest level and if I just added more cream, I would just be "sticky." :)
Now, the OTC stuff is only 2% but that was what I used for years. I used a 2% cream from the compounder, too, and a 3% cream, too. The compounders "micronize" the cream so it is dispersed differently or more efficiently, and they can adjust the amounts...and, there is blessedly no scent to the compounders brand. I have "scent issues" but did you know that a lack of testosterone can cause a low tolerance for scents....and all those poor people I could not stand to be around cuz they had perfume on! Things are better in that area now.
Initially I worked with a Compounding pharmacist (about fifty miles from here) and he and I woud coordinate with my doc and yet the Compounder sort of "ran the show" since he knew more than my doc did and my doc was willing to learn. So for years, that is how we did it. Got a little confusing, but it worked.
The testosterone initially came from my doctor after I sat in his office four months after the hyster crying that I found sex thoroughly disgusting for the first time in my life. HORRIBLE feeling. The testosterone helped a great deal. It is "off label" since it is not approved by the FDA for women to use it. My doctor gave it to me and the person with whom I work now on all this has me using two types. One 1% type I put on the inner thigh every day. The 2% type I put on the "critical" area (use your imagination) and that helps like crazy. When you get this in a scrip, and you can get this from a regular pharmacy, like Target...you don't need a compounder for this, make sure you get it in a cream formula, not a "Vaseline" formula. It absorbs better in the cream.
**Another book***Dr. Uzzi Reiss...hope I spelled name right....wrote "Natural Hormones for Women." I would get that book too...He talks a ton about testosterone. I am facing surgery for bladder issues and I am trying to avoid them by "tightening" that area, so I use the testosterone for that if for nothing else. It helps with vaginal dryness so much, too. Even if a person is not sexually active, that dryness can hurt so badly...I could feel the dryness just walking sometimes. Local Estrogen, like Estrace, which is a bio, is also good for this. Using it just in the vagina will not effect the whole body's amount of estrogen. You use it for two weeks straight and then about three days a week after that.
What I do now:
It took time, but I found a great person, a Nurse Practioner who works for a Urologist, who is my "guide" and they actually take my insurance. So, I don't work with the compounder who started me out on all this after I did the research and presented the info to my doctor (to start the progesterone)...my doc, as I said, got me on the testosterone, and my Oncologist started me on the Vivelle Patch, which is the bio estrogen I use.
But, I wanted to have the blood levels checked more regularly and I wanted more "attention to detail" and I found this great lady. She is one of three who work in this office monitoring the bio's for the patients. They are "overseen" by a doc who works with women and men who want the help with hormones...I am trying to get my husband to see them...He has low testosterone issues and here I am the one feeling interested in the whole sexual issue....geez...when can we all get on the same page, you know?!!!
I am the one who threw away the white gold earrings my husband gave to me for our 25th wedding anniversary. So, sometimes I am unbalanced and need to get straighted out hormonally.
Mary
*****************************************************************
p.s. I just read your post again and see you asked about natural hormones. Often in the past, the Bioidentical hormones were refered to as "Natural Hormones" ...they have been around since the 50's, but, there is a push to use the word "Bioidentical" since for example, if a woman uses a synthetic hormone like Premarin, well, it is made from horses urine and so sometimes this is called 'natural' but it is only natural if you are a horse. By the way, the synthetic hormones are not generally recommended anymore...but you will learn all about this when you research this stuff. Bioidenticals treat the symptoms of menopause rather than mask the symptoms and they are made so that they are identical to what your body once made (or makes...since many women who have not had a hysterectomy use these, too).
If you don't mind, could you let me know if you see this post...just a quick "got it" or something...sometimes these older posts get lost quickly and I just wanted to make sure you got it....
THANKS!
Thank you for you responses. What is bioidentical hormones? Right now I am leaning I think towards the all natural like Estroven. My mom had breast cancer which automatically increases my risk.
I forgot to add. You asked what will you expect. It depends on the person. Some women get really b----y or very emotional. (If you do
I agree with the no HRT, 1000s of women developed OCVA after being on HRT, the bio indenticals are just as good and safer. There are some good suppliments that help with surgical menopause. Good Luck
I have had a horrible time with surgical menopause....it is a lot more then just hot flashes...there is the lack of sex drive, vaginal dryness, emotional mood swings, forgetfullness just to name a few.....BUT I agree with no HRT.....I am not allowed to even take bioidentical or OTC remedies because they are said to mimic estrogen and there are some cancers that are estrogen receptive.
Please discuss it in depth with your doctor.
Please discuss it in depth with your doctor.
Yes the surgical menopause is not easy. It took my body about 3 years to adjust. I get hot flashes now and then but not at all as before.
As an ovarian cancer survivor, I very much discourage HRT drugs. HRT drugs increase your chances of getting ovarian cancer, breast cancer and who knows what other cancers. Even having your ovaries removed, you can still get ovarian cancer. Rare, yes but it does happen. It's called ovarian peritoneal cancer.
I would suggest something natural called Estroven. I know a few women that say this has helped them tremendously. That, time, and being very grateful that you don't have this terrible disease will get you through these uncomfortable years. And thinking that taking the HRT drugs for a little while and then getting off of them is not the way either. You'll have the hot flashes just as bad.
Best of luck with your surgery. And if you try the Estroven, let me know if it helps.
As an ovarian cancer survivor, I very much discourage HRT drugs. HRT drugs increase your chances of getting ovarian cancer, breast cancer and who knows what other cancers. Even having your ovaries removed, you can still get ovarian cancer. Rare, yes but it does happen. It's called ovarian peritoneal cancer.
I would suggest something natural called Estroven. I know a few women that say this has helped them tremendously. That, time, and being very grateful that you don't have this terrible disease will get you through these uncomfortable years. And thinking that taking the HRT drugs for a little while and then getting off of them is not the way either. You'll have the hot flashes just as bad.
Best of luck with your surgery. And if you try the Estroven, let me know if it helps.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cancer Community
Learn how to spot the warning signs of this “silent killer.”
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
