Afraid of surgical menopause!

Hello, I had an AH 3 years ago for a large fibroid. Now I'm scheduled for a BSO on Monday, 4/30/2012 because of a solid mass on my ovary. To say I'm anxious is an understatement. Recovery after my AH although long didn't bother me. I think because it was winter and also because I knew I was keeping my ovaries. But now I have a small chance for cancer and definite surgical menopause. This is also a busy time of year for me. So to be recovering when I want to be out gardening, hiking, camping ect. is difficult for me. But I'm mostly nervous about abrupt menopause. I won't be able to take HRT's because of family history for Breast cancer.. What can I expect?

Hello Gardenbella! I am sorry you are having to go through another surgery. I had a BSO along with my LAVH but I am taking HRT. Have you had a look at the forum for managing menopause without hormones? http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/forumdisplay.php?f=34

I think you will find the ladies there very helpful and knowledgeable. Blessings on your surgery and recovery.

Hi there. Sorry as well that you have to have another surgery. I didn't even know about sudden menopause or that it even existed until I had my TAH/BSO. I have gotten so much information from the ladies that have posted here. It is nice to get help and info from others that have gone thru it and those going thru it. Best of luck to you.

Hi Gardenbella...*hugs to you*

I am 6 days post op from bilateral salpingo oophorectomy. I keep sitting here going..ok..am I in surgical menopause now? how about NOW? lol....I have read it can take a while for it to actually happen...and then read that it happens quickly. I guess it depends on the person???

I was told by my doctor and endocrinologist that I would have to wait until all pathology reports come back before I can even think about it. I am 46, 47 in June and I keep thinking, that it would have happened sooner or later... *pout*

I intend to research, alot. I saw that link Molly posted and will be checking that, hopefully it will have some tips in there that will help us all!!

Good Luck to you... and blessings

I'm 5 weeks into surgical menopause and it's not too bad. I can't take HRT so was kind of bummed when the hot flashes started. My doc upped my Zoloft dosage & the hot flashes/night sweats have reduced drastically. Also, just started lifting weights to help w/ bone density.

Overall, I'll take surgical menopause over the horrible pain. It was so worth it.

Best wishes.

Well, I survived surgery. Initial results are "NO CANCER".. YEY!!!! I have to say post-op pain has been worse for me this surgery.. I was able to have robotic laproscopic BSO.. But the gas pain was off the charts. Today is day 5 and I'm finally done with the gas pain. I'm able to take just tylenol now for the pain. The heavy drugs make me ill. My only other complaint is sores on my tongue. I guess that can be caused by anethesia.. I was surprised to have 5 incision sites across the top of my abdomen, I look like I've been shot by a machine gun. Most of my discomfort is on my right side near my incisions,but internally. As far as surgical menopause goes. So far, so good. No symptoms yet.
I forget how hyperactive I am, until I'm forced to feel every movement and I'm looking forward to getting back to my normal busy body self. Till then, I'm keeping my mind busy and watching the weeds grow.

i dont know if this helps..

but im currently on lupron and have never felt better.

i do wonder if surgical menopause is the same as chemical menopause..

not hot flashes to speak of, more so cold on and off...i do workout religiously..weight resistance and some cardio..so hoping that keeps up my bone density..im not on HRT...and dont plan to take any if i cont. to feel this great.

did you have to stay overnight for the ovary removal or was it same day?

the gas pain is always the worst until it gets out of your system! hope you feel better soon.

I had a BSO on April 16. I will be 47 in July, and so far I haven't noticed anything different than I'd already been noticing for about the past 2 years. This morning I was up at 4 with hot flashes. They're not horrible but they do disturb my sleep and I can't get back to sleep after they subside.
Because of my history of endometriosis, I will not have hormone therapy; this doctor said to wait it out at LEAST 6 months.

This is also my fear..the surgical menopause, I am almost 50 and already having intermittent hot flashes. My BSO is June 4th...the Dr. has given me the choice to keep my cervix or take it, he feels that because of my hyperplasia and blood work being elevated that removing ovaries and cervix is the best call. He is a well like Oncologist/Gyno. I am just scared that I am jumping the gun, but then I remember the blood work and pain and I was passing clots, which he said can be a precanverous condition. I just need some reassurance from women who have gone through same thing. I had my uterus removed 2 years ago. Both surgeries will be DaVinci. Im afraid of prolapse and my Dr. said since I had 2 csections vaginal prolapse is less likely..........What does surgical menopause feel like????

I felt very anxious and out of body for the first couple of months. I couldn't sit still either, it was weird. But I also had a cancer diagnosis so it could have been the nerves from that too. Now I am doing fine. I am on Premarin for estrogen. The only difference I really notice is I am getting alot more age spots on my face):