Can my ovaries be producing too much estrogen?

I know... I'm lucky to still have my ovaries, but I think they are kicking back in and working on over-drive.

I had estrogen dominance prior to my surgery. I did great the 1st couple weeks post-op, but now I'm getting some of the darn estrogen dominance symptoms. Tiny pimples on my forhead and sides of my face, exema, bad edgy mood & cravings for sweets.

My Doc told me that I wouldn't have to worry about too much estrogen after my uterus was gone. Was she wrong?

Maybe I should have had it all taken out.

Hi LuvMaui,

I too kept my ovaries and I had estrogen dominance in pre-op. Some of the symptoms you were describing could also be PMS symptoms. During my time of the month, I generally get breast tenderness, some mild irritability and some cravings.

All I can say is maybe it is better than sleeping ovaries, which happens to many ladies in post op.

I went through temporary chemical menopause for 3 months prior to my hyst, due to lupron shots to shrink my fibroids enough for surgery. I had hot flashes, night sweats, problems sleeping, I lost interest in sex, etc. I guess if I had to choose between surgical menopause and my PMS-estrogen symptoms I would choose the latter. In my case, I am sure surgical menopause would have been similar to chemical menopause.

So just hang in there!!!You are newly post-op and the body needs time to heal and readjust.

Best wishes,

Mary

Hi LuvMaui,

I'm not sure why your doctor said that you wouldn't have to worry about estrogen dominance post-op. I went through a period of estrogen dominance when I was very anemic pre-op (it was affecting my hormonal balance). Maybe that was your situation? My endocrinologist had me use an over the counter Progesterone topical cream called ProGest, by Emerita (available at health food stores) to bring me back into balance. (Progesterone and Estrogen work in concert.) If you know for sure that estrogen dominance is your issue, maybe you could try that. She said that after my surgery, I may or may not need to use the ProGest again. Since the uterus actually consumes some of the progesterone each month, those of us who've had a hyst. need less than women who still have a uterus. She said that some women need a little when they start to lose hormones, and some don't.

You may also want to consider seeing someone who could help you to balance your hormones. I personally preferred working with someone who prescibed bio-identical hormones, as they are chemically identical to what our bodies make (as I have a very sensitive system).

Good luck!

Thanks for the input Ladies

I know I'm having a problem, I ended up with a really bad headache today. Yeap! I'm outta wack again.

I'm really not sure what to do. Maybe I will just wait a few weeks and hope it's just temporary.

My poor husband. I've been ripping at him all day.