Aa
Still having problems 2 years post hysterectomy-help?
After many years of severe bleeding issues, at 47, I was thrilled to have a total hysterectomy. (I have had night sweats and hot flashes since I was 40) The hysterectomy was two years ago. I have not been the same since and what I thought would lead to a wonderful sex life again with my husband, has left me wishing I did not have the surgery. My doctor left my ovaries as he said that they still looked good. I had no problems during intercouse with my husband prior to my hysterectomy. After waiting the six weeks, it was painful and I had bleeding. It did not get better so I went back to my OB/GYN and he thought that I had "proud flesh" and I had several months of silver nitrate treatments which did not improve things at all. He then saw several leasions and thought that I might have cancer so he did a biopsy which came back negative.(Thank goodness). He then put me on premarin and a vaginal estrogen cream to be used daily as he said that my vagina looked like that of a much older woman not a 50 year old. It has shortened and thinned out. He found it very odd that this would happen so soon after my hysterectomy. While I do not have hot flashes or not sweats any more, the pain and bleeding has not improved. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what did you do and is there any hope for me? I am too young to give up and not have a wonderful sex life with my husband.
Thank you so much for taking the time to provide me with all of your knowledge and suggestions. I really appreciate it. I have ordered the book that you recommended, "Screaming to be Heard". Hopefully it should arrive soon. I have been on Estrace for a year now and use it every day but the weekend. I would have thought that there would be more improvement. I will try and stay positive that there may be hope on the horizon that this will turn around for me. Overall, I feel good. No mood swings, hot flashes or night sweats anymore. My middle has grown some though!! I have a lot of research to do. Thanks for posting the information on bio-identicals. I will keep you posted!
Mary, I forgot to mention that I also have a long post on one of the Health Pages (on the Ovarian cyst and the Ovarian cancer patient to patient forums) all about Adhesions. Take a look. I had them all over and got rid of them with the help of a $4.00 Ball from the toy section at Target and some very specific deep massage.
Mary
Mary
Hi Mary... from another Mary here. Cherie's right (not that you need me to tell you that you're right, Cherie :) just adding my two cents here.
The only problem is that this does get complicated. I see your questions and I'm nodding my head as in either I have had the problem, or I am agreeing with Cherie. And, I think you deserve a good sex life. Mine was in dire straights for about three years and even though there were several issues at play, the biggest problem for me was the dryness even after I thought I had that taken care of that(This is where communication from your spouse helps...).
There was a time when I just knew I was dry and possibly starting to atrophy in that area (thus the comment from your doctor and yes...gosh, YES, this can happen fast. But, in retrospect, for me at least, it started to happen before my hysterectomy at age 47. The doctors could not figure out why I was 'leaking'...then, after the hysterectomy, once on Estradiol, the leakiness cleared up.. until a few years later when my estradiol levels needed to be addressed since I was on too low a dose.
My ureter was changing positions. I was wearing a pad every day (Wasn't that supposed to be a benefit from all this... no more sanitary products??? Geeezzz..)
I also could just tell by walking that things were not good there. Hard to explain. Once I got my dose of Estradiol increased and my script for localized Estrace (for vaginal use and it, too, is bio estradiol) then things improved dramatically. And, to be honest, prior to correcting this, it was not so much a problem for me as it was for him. But, I have had some bleeding on occasion from the dryness as well as more frequent yeast infections (also low estradiol related) as well as 'leaky bladder." (I know I have repeated myself here).
****I am at the point where I never even want to say the word 'estrogen' again since the only type I will use is Estradiol, which by nature is a bioidentical, but also the most active and, dare I say, safest. Obviously if someone has a growth that is being fed by estrogen, then there's a problem, but Estrogen is craved by our bodies and used by over 400 systems in our body. We need Estrogen, but specifically Estradiol. Without it, you will see the age-related, post menopause diseases creeping up (including sore joints, high blood sugar levels, middle fat ..I have talked about this in many posts)..Bladder issues, etc.
OK... I am getting a bit off task here.
To Mary, the poster... You may have to really look around to get some help with this. There is just too much confusion out there regarding the hormone jungle. If your doctor is willing to listen to you, then that is great, but then you will need to know what to ask for.
I will stick with my recommendation to pick up any book by Dr. Elizabeth Vliet. I have three of her books. "Screaming to be Heard" from Amazon is your best bet. It is huge. It is critical that you learn all you can.
I finally got someone to hear me after 'screaming'...since initially I did okay on the dose of Vivelle and the testosterone I was on all those years ago. But, then I started to mess around with my estrogen (adding other types of estrogen, too... mistake for me) and adding progesterone (on a very high dose based on one school of thought...again, mistake for me)...
Now I use the Vivelle patch and I am trying to get my blood levels to around 100 - 110 ng/ml (hope I wrote that right).... although I have heard that it should be around 100 at a MINIMUM. So, I go by symptoms as well as blood levels. Optimal dose is key here. I also use testosterone and keep that at a blood level of 40 - 60 (not sure how to write that... is it 'ng?" Vliet basically says no progesterone if you don't have particularly ovaries since you cannot utilize it. But she does say in one of her books that a smidgen of progesterone might help some women with sleep issues (again... women without ovaries). She is just appalled at the high doses some women are on...along with LOW, way too low, estradiol. That is what totally messed me up. I am doing so much better now.
There is hope. ADVOCATE and Don't give up. Ever.
Just a note; I had lunch with a friend ... a forum friend, actually, here in Minneapolis. She sent me a great link about a doctor from New York, a Doctor Redman, who works with women on Hair loss. His info on Estradiol/testosterone is very, very interesting. He uses estradiol to treat women who have hair loss issues. He is not quick to blame just testosterone. It is about the ratio and the adrenal glands. But, google to find it if interested.
Mary
The only problem is that this does get complicated. I see your questions and I'm nodding my head as in either I have had the problem, or I am agreeing with Cherie. And, I think you deserve a good sex life. Mine was in dire straights for about three years and even though there were several issues at play, the biggest problem for me was the dryness even after I thought I had that taken care of that(This is where communication from your spouse helps...).
There was a time when I just knew I was dry and possibly starting to atrophy in that area (thus the comment from your doctor and yes...gosh, YES, this can happen fast. But, in retrospect, for me at least, it started to happen before my hysterectomy at age 47. The doctors could not figure out why I was 'leaking'...then, after the hysterectomy, once on Estradiol, the leakiness cleared up.. until a few years later when my estradiol levels needed to be addressed since I was on too low a dose.
My ureter was changing positions. I was wearing a pad every day (Wasn't that supposed to be a benefit from all this... no more sanitary products??? Geeezzz..)
I also could just tell by walking that things were not good there. Hard to explain. Once I got my dose of Estradiol increased and my script for localized Estrace (for vaginal use and it, too, is bio estradiol) then things improved dramatically. And, to be honest, prior to correcting this, it was not so much a problem for me as it was for him. But, I have had some bleeding on occasion from the dryness as well as more frequent yeast infections (also low estradiol related) as well as 'leaky bladder." (I know I have repeated myself here).
****I am at the point where I never even want to say the word 'estrogen' again since the only type I will use is Estradiol, which by nature is a bioidentical, but also the most active and, dare I say, safest. Obviously if someone has a growth that is being fed by estrogen, then there's a problem, but Estrogen is craved by our bodies and used by over 400 systems in our body. We need Estrogen, but specifically Estradiol. Without it, you will see the age-related, post menopause diseases creeping up (including sore joints, high blood sugar levels, middle fat ..I have talked about this in many posts)..Bladder issues, etc.
OK... I am getting a bit off task here.
To Mary, the poster... You may have to really look around to get some help with this. There is just too much confusion out there regarding the hormone jungle. If your doctor is willing to listen to you, then that is great, but then you will need to know what to ask for.
I will stick with my recommendation to pick up any book by Dr. Elizabeth Vliet. I have three of her books. "Screaming to be Heard" from Amazon is your best bet. It is huge. It is critical that you learn all you can.
I finally got someone to hear me after 'screaming'...since initially I did okay on the dose of Vivelle and the testosterone I was on all those years ago. But, then I started to mess around with my estrogen (adding other types of estrogen, too... mistake for me) and adding progesterone (on a very high dose based on one school of thought...again, mistake for me)...
Now I use the Vivelle patch and I am trying to get my blood levels to around 100 - 110 ng/ml (hope I wrote that right).... although I have heard that it should be around 100 at a MINIMUM. So, I go by symptoms as well as blood levels. Optimal dose is key here. I also use testosterone and keep that at a blood level of 40 - 60 (not sure how to write that... is it 'ng?" Vliet basically says no progesterone if you don't have particularly ovaries since you cannot utilize it. But she does say in one of her books that a smidgen of progesterone might help some women with sleep issues (again... women without ovaries). She is just appalled at the high doses some women are on...along with LOW, way too low, estradiol. That is what totally messed me up. I am doing so much better now.
There is hope. ADVOCATE and Don't give up. Ever.
Just a note; I had lunch with a friend ... a forum friend, actually, here in Minneapolis. She sent me a great link about a doctor from New York, a Doctor Redman, who works with women on Hair loss. His info on Estradiol/testosterone is very, very interesting. He uses estradiol to treat women who have hair loss issues. He is not quick to blame just testosterone. It is about the ratio and the adrenal glands. But, google to find it if interested.
Mary
Hi Mary..I think theres a good chance the hormones will help with the pain and bleeding. it hurts ( i think) because of thinning of vaginal walls yes lube is like a bandaide it fixs the problem temporarily...the hormones should fix it permantley..I would phone your doctors office ask his staff if he if s/he is knowlegable about bio-identacal hormones. If yes see him, Personally Mary myself and many use Vivelle its an estrogen only product it comes in many forms mists, creams ..I like the patch it is quite small you apply if below the belly button line 2 -3 times per week...I like it because of ease of use and I feel you get an accurate dose, i am not convinced that mists or creams do so it seems to me one could easily use too little or too much...and you may need more than estrogen..some do some dont..Please do not use premaine its the oldest hormone out there,,heard so many neg side effects...it is made from horses urine...bio is much better...You can ask me anything anytime Mary i will do my best to guide you what I do not know I will research...((hugs)))Cherie
Do you think that the hormones will help with the bleeding and pain during intercourse? We use lubrication and that doesn't help. My doctor also did laproscopic surgery last year to see what was going on and found some adhesions from the hysterectomy and corrected that. We did not notice any difference after that procedure... Do I need to see someone special about regulating the hormones or should I continue to see the same ob/gyn?
Your welcome,,it really is amazing how much better us women feel once the hormone levels are right you may have to adjust a bit , or try a few different combos, But I promise you that when you get it right you feel like a whole new person. If I forget or dont put my patch on at the right time I notice Im being crabby and having hot flashes again, everyones symptoms vary a bit..If I can be of any more help please let me know, Cherie
Thank you so much for your suggestions. I will definately do the research regarding the bio-identicals. After two years of being like this, I am more than willing to give them a try. Thanks again! Mary
After answerin hundereds of posts on this subject I can tell you with certainity, that its a rare woman who gets the hormones right on the first try, I would like to recommednt that you resurch bio-identical hormones. Premaine is pretty much old-school. It is actually made from the urine of a horse, where as bio-identicals are th closest possible replica of a womans natural hormones. I and many others use Vivelle its an estrogen patch,most all on it have no problems with vaginal dryness or lack of desire for sex,I would pressume the bleeding is from having sex with out lubrication? You should discuss bio-identicals with your doctor after he gives you a complete check up to rule out anything physical.
Hang in there,,I have a feeling your problem can be easily solved..Cherie
Hang in there,,I have a feeling your problem can be easily solved..Cherie
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hysterectomy Community
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.
