Hysterectomy and headaches

My GYN suggested I have a hysterectomy to help alleviate some of my migraines. I have tried many therapies with little to write home about. I am post-menopausal with a slightly prolasped uterus. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Ok - I'm going to sound really dumb here - but, if you are post-menopausal how can the removal of your uterus (and ovaries???) relieve your migraines? Is he thinking the migraines are caused by hormones? Why not a hormone therapy or an oopherectomy instead of major surgery of a hyst??

Have you had a second opinion? I highly recommend second medical opinions prior to having a major surgery.

It does sound interesting to me that being post menopausal your dr wants to do a hyst/BSO for migraines. Yes, your ovaries do secrete a tiny amount of hormone even after menopause, so is your dr thinking this tiny amount is still affecting your migraines?

Granted, the hyst would help the prolapse of course, so is that the primary reason for the actual hyst?

Do you have a neurologist for your migraines? If not, I highly recommend seeing one. I have been working with my neuro for sometime regarding my migraines. It can take some time and patients (I am short in that area!) to find what works for each of us regarding migraines.

You might want to read through our Resource Database. We do have a section regarding prolapse and you can do a search for migraines.

Many best wishes to you!

Thank you for your comments. I have done everything imaginable for my migraines! I am seen by a nuero at a headache clinic currently and he has tried many therapies. My GYN suggested this as an alternative therapy. She has had several patients reduce their migraines with a hysterectomy and thought of me. I seriously do not know what else to do. thaks again for your comments.

I can understand the reasoning behind removing the ovaries to try to alleviate migraines, as many migraines are hormone-related, but I can't see that removing your uterus will help ... it's just sitting there, doing nothing!

The general medical concensus is that no-one really knows what causes migraines (real migraines, not just bad headaches) and I would really get a second opinion or ask your doctor more questions.

Good luck!

I sympathize greatly--I have been having nonstop migraines since my hysterectomy 1 year ago. (Tried all sorts of hormonal replacements, etc) I am getting some relief recently, although I don't know how it's going to turn out in the long run.

I am doing Neurofeedback (not "biofeedback" but more fine-tuned with the use of EEG). This consists of around 40 sessions (I've done 16 and getting, I think, some improvement), once or twice a week. The results should be long-lasting.

The whole course of treatment runs about $4500, not covered by insurance. If you're at your wit's end, look into it. You need a PhD or MD administering it--be cautious, as there are unqualified people out there.

Here is a link to get you started:

http://www.eegspectrum.com/Applications/Migraine/

Best of luck!
Teresa