Why the sugar cravings?

Good afternoon everyone,

I've been reading in the forums that many women experience sugar cravings post-hysterectomy. I had a total laparoscopic hysterectomy on 10/23 along with removal of cervix and ovaries. I am currently on .05 Vivelle patch. Surgery went well, recovery has gone well, started exercising again, patch is fine - no issues there.

But the sugar cravings? Wow.

When I think of eating normal food, my stomach turns. I can't tell you how many times in the past couple of months I've eaten cookies for dinner - but it's always a certain kind of dark chocolate/shortbread cookie - the only one that tastes good. I can't even bring myself to cook dinner. In fact, I'm sitting here thinking about the barbecued chicken my husband is grilling. Three months ago, I'd be drooling. Today blah.

Has anyone ever read why this happens? Is it something that will get better over time or am I going to have to force feed myself nutritious meals for the next gazillion years?

It's bad enough my appetite in general is lacking, now desiring only sugar is making things worse.

Omg ! i know how you feel i was down 12 pounds since surgery .. i know that its going to come back i find my self eating alot of candy exc . I thought maby i was lacking something ? not sure but i havent ate like that since i was preggers with my daughter. I just had my uterus removed and omg im eating sweets like a addict .

Carrie

Hi Carrie - I never really made the connection until today when I was speaking with a couple of friends (one with surgical menopause, one natural) about these things and they immediately started asking when this started. It took me a minute to realize that it started after the surgery. Their response: BINGO! They knew instinctively that the hysterectomy was the source of what's going on.

I've had a hard time researching this - a couple of online posts mentioning a link between low estrogen and sugar cravings. Not sure though. If we're not the only ones, someone, somewhere has to have some answers.

I just want to know if this is going to stop and when. I've got a metallic taste in my mouth, have to force myself to eat nutritious food (stomaching BBQ chicken right now because it's smothered in sweet BBQ sauce), and am grateful I'm able to exercise because I'd be in deep, deep trouble in terms of weight gain.

Interesting you mentioned preggers. One of the comments my friends made was that hormonally there are similarities right now. I have absolutely no clue if they're right or not. Definitely not my department because I don't have children.

Do you have any theories? I'm at a loss.

Kim

Oh - and I don't know about you but it's not PMS type cravings. When I get hungry, my body genuinely wants chocolate and other specific sugary foods. As it is, I'm fighting the urge to head over to the grocery store right now and buy some cookies. ARGH!!!!!

Ah i know the feeling i found my self scarfing some pie at nap time >.< thats going to go to my hips . I know that some times the body craves sugar . if the gluclose is low i am resurching this for us as well and just read that some times lack of melatonin if also followed with insombia which i am having Hummmm . im going to keep looking ill keep you posted (going to dig out Nursing books )

Carrie

Thanks Carrie, I would love to know what you find out. I'll continue to explore on my end as well. Not sure if my doctor would know but I might make a call and talk to his nurse practitioner. Weighing not wasting their time because this is a noncritical question compared to other ones they're fielding from patients. Kim

Hi Carrie - I started looking at the problem from a low/no progesterone perspective (as opposed to low/no estrogen) and jackpot. In many places, I read that low progesterone levels are linked to low blood sugar, triggering cravings for carbohydrates. I'm not sure if you're on HRT or not, but I'm only on estrogen. Makes sense that a lack of progesterone would impact blood sugar levels even more. Of course, this doesn't bode well long-term as it might mean we'll have to fight a nasty carb battle the rest of our lives. (Not trying to be dramatic but I can't see how this situation could reverse itself. Even with HRT including progesterone, hormone levels would still be low)

As for loss of appetite/upset stomach at the thought of eating, it could be as simple as side effects of estrogen HRT. For the one I'm one (Vivelle dot), they're both listed as common side effects.

Sounds like it might be a one-two punch.

Sounds like it too me as well, i opted out on HRT since i kept my ovarys im just seeing if they kick in on there own , since i have pcos im always lacking some type of hormone . but that makes sense i was on progesterone once and i craved protein . most of what i read so far says the same lacking a hormone or melatonin which i am sure im not lacking too much since i eat alot of bananas . i will ask my friend she is a nurse practitioner and see what she might come up with .

Carrie