What to expect when ovaries are gone?

Saw doctor today - (just to refresh, have complex cysts on both and comples mass on left).  She was really great.  My endo referred me and got me into see her even though she is not taking new patients.  She recommends both ovaries out (have no uterus) and says the liklihood of theses cysts going away on their own is pretty slim - though she will repeat the US at 2 months.  So we would probably be looking at surgery in the third week of march.  She says liklihood of ca is low but still there - thinks it is more likly to be endometriosis which I had in the past.  I am scared about losing my ovaries.  I had such trouble adjusting to not having my thyroid.  Doctor said losing ovaries wouldn't be as bad as thyroid.  But I am still scared.  Can anyone tell me what kind of time they have had with surgical menopause?
You guys are all really great!

[milashka]

I went into surgical menopause on November 23. Hot flashes, hot flashes, hot flashes. I now have them about 20 times a day and every 30-60 minutes at night. I get soooo hot it wakes me up so I have not had a good night's sleep in a long time. I drink some water and turn over my pillows to cool me head, and after a minute or so I am fine. It is the only symptom of menopause I am having right now, but it is annoying.

I am not on hormone replacement. It was offered, and my gyn oncologist assures me it will have no ill effect on my ovarian cancer prognosis, but I am holding off because I am juggling too many side effects from chemo and other meds, don't want to experiment with hormones. Being a vegetarian I eat a lot of soy products but they don't seem to help.

That said, I don't miss my period one bit!

[milashka]

PamNYC, there is a lot of controversy in regards to soy and cancer. It is by no means established if it is safe or unsafe. A nutritionist at my oncologist's office urged me not to consume too much soy, instead alternating it with other protein sources, and definitely staying away from soy supplements. Then again, my oncologist recommended natural estrogen (from soy) and apparently, he sees no connection between soy and my cancer. As far as I can tell, soy might promote estrogen-receptive cancers. It is very confusing.

I recommend that everyone does their own research and then decide. I still eat soy but now make sure I don't overdo it. Moderation is the key, I think. Unfortunately, I cannot eat beans or dairy, so that eliminates two protein sources.

[Gatsby]

Well, I was left with 10% of my left ovary and it is not functioning.  Right now it is hotflashes and nightsweats.  I thought it had leveled off, but they are more frequent.  I am 8 weeks post op.  Of course, everyone is different and you may be ok. Just be prepared for the symptoms (I was not and I still have questions).  Talk to the dr. about the symptoms and possible solutions.  Hang in there, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
~Tascha

[DebiR]

Thanks Tascha - are you on hormone replacement?

[Gatsby]

No, I really am not ready to take that step yet.  I am drinking some soy milk and it seems to help, I just have to be carefull with the soy because I still have my uterus (that is what the nurse at my gyn's office told me).  This is something that I am going to have to learn more about.  I am 45 and wasn't prepared for it this soon:-)  
~Tascha

[novakof]

Can you be on HRT when you have ovca?  My oncologist said definetely-no.  Just wondering what others have found.

[Linda L]

FYI:  I am a breast cancer survivor (with a complex cyst) and have been told to avoid soy.  I have read this, been told by my oncologist, surgeon and a hollistic physician.  Soy is a natural estrogen.  Some say it is a good estrogen but all in all it is still an estrogen.  If you are going to take it then use the pure forms of soy such as miso, tempeh, natto or sprouted.  My cancer was a high estrogen receptor therefore, I try to avoid it.  Just wanted you all to know.

[cip]

I have read research that suggests that both flaxseend and soy products might be contraindicated with estrogen receptive cancers. I would do more research in this area, if I were you. Also, there are doctors who specialize in natural medicine and doctors who specialize in bioidentical HRT. You can probably find some of these doc's in your area by googling bioidentical HRT, or doc's that specialize in both traditional western and herbal medicine , etc. I found one in my area this way, although thankfully I didn't need to utalize him.......

[chelan2]

Hi, I was 34 (I'm 37 now) when I had my TAH due to borderline ovarian cancer.  There is a history of breast cancer in my family and because I don't know if my cancer was estrogen positive I refused to take ERT.  My gyn called me crazy and at first told me he wouldn't do the surgery unless I took the hormones.  I challenged him and he still did the surgery.  I actually have been fine and have had only the occassional hot flash, no night sweats, but do find my pillow gets pretty warm at night!  I also take efexxor which is an SSRI antidepressant (had been on it prior to surgery) they are known to help with menapause symptoms.  I also stay away from soy products and herbal menapause remedies.  Another lady in my office had her ovaries removed when she was in her late 20's, she's now 65 and was never on any hormones or took anything for menapause.  Not everyone has hot flashes, etc.  so keep that in mind.  That being said it is a personal decision.  If I was having severe hot flashes and sweats I might have reconsidered.  
Good Luck with your surgery.

[Gatsby]

Thank you so much for all of the info!!  I will research a little more.  My hope is that the symptoms are managable and I won't need HRT.  I take Lorazapam (when needed) for anxiety that was brought on by perimenopause.  Also, chocolate really helps!
This is the best place to come for answers and most of all SUPPORT.  God Bless you all.
~Tascha

[Whiz]

I'm only 10 days post op (no more ovaries...)  I asked the nurse about hormones and the doc wants to wait till I'm symptomatic.  I have some nightsweats -- but they don't wake me up -- just soak the neckline of my jammies (actually have had nightsweats on and off since I ever had a period) and do a number on the hairdo!  I've been on Zoloft for ~6 years so I'm wondering if that isn't helping with moodswings.  My sister is a vegan and doesn't believe in HRT and plans to go the soy route.  Another sister has been taking over-the-counter Estrovent and helps her with way annoying hot flashes.  Seems like everyone is sooo completely different.  A friend told me yesterday her doc says we all need hormones through our 40's -- bone stuff I guess.  It is very confusing!!  I still don't know what I'm going to do, but I'll work with my local healthfood store and doc and weigh it all out when the time comes...  good luck!  Don't put the cart before the horse, and see how you do.... :)

[Gatsby]

Have any of you experienced headaches associated with menopause?
Thanks again ladies.
~Tascha

[Gatsby]

What about flax seed?  I hear that is supposed to help also.
~Tascha

[novakof]

Is all ovca estrogen positive?  Or does it depend on what type or grade of ovca you have?

[xrayu2]

My understanding is some are estrogen dependent and some are not.  The ones that are can be treated with alternative treatments that block estrogen (Tamoxifen, Arimidex, etc.)  those drugs are used after treatment of breast cancer if the breast cancer is estrogen positive.