Surgical Menopause because of TAH/BSO

Dear Confused

I totally understand your emotional state. We sometimes have so much information it is hard to sift through it all and decide what is relevant to us specifically.

I have been scheduled for my LAVH/BSO twice and they cancelled me twice (the disadvantages of socialized medicine) since my procedure is prophylactic. Tomorrow I am finally having the surgery and am also quite worried about the aftermath.

I am BRCA1+ which makes me very susceptible to breast cancer as well which of course makes me very nervous about taking any HRT. I am currently researching Bio-Identical Hormones and am finding them to be a very interesting and possibly superior option.

The whole "wait and see" solution doesn't sit well with me personally as I don't believe eliminating my hormones at a young age (I'm 41) could possibly be without side effects. Even if I do not suffer hot flashes or memory loss I am more concerned about osteoporosis, vaginal dryness, reduced libido, skin elasticity etc. Basically I think I'm supposed to have my hormones coursing through my system for a little while longer and I want to safely replace them without risking breast cancer.

Google a Dr.Pettle in Toronto. He discusses the Bio-Identical hormones on his website at length. Suzanne Somers (yes, seems like an unusual source of solid scientific information! LOL) has written extensively about them and her personal experiences with them.

At any rate I hope I haven't "confused" you further. I will post again once I am home from the castle and willl update any more information I find about the Bio-Identical hormones as well.

Hello, I am 32 yrs old and had a TAH/BSO on 9/5/07. My doctor did not put me on estrogen until 6 weeks post op due to the fact that I had the surgery because of SEVERE Endometriosis. He wanted to make sure that he got it all! I did the patches for a few months, but after a while they caused me severe depression and short term memory loss which I am still dealing with.
Research the meds before you make a decision. Every womans body is different.

Caity --- What are you taking now? I too have endo, as well as high cholesterol so I do not want to take HRT but I'm 41. So far, the symptoms are tolerable. How are you doing without hormones and have you heard anything re your young age and going without them? Any info is appreciated!

Good morning,
Right now they have me on Climara and it caused severe depression, sensitivity to the sun and weight gain among a few other things. I just took myself off it 2 weeks ago, and the depression is going away, but the Hot Flashes at night are unbearable. I do not get much sleep anymore! Because of my age the doctor said that I need to take HRT because I am at greater risk for Osteoporosis. I am in the process of finding a new doctor, one that knows a bit more about endo than my current doctor who I am not sure has much knowledge on the situation. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

I wonder if calcium and weight bearing exercise is enough to ward off osteoperosis. What about that Sally Field commercial about her twice monthly Boniva pill or whatever it is?