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PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
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09-05-2009, 02:27 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 225
Hysterectomy: September 17th, 2009
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
Hi,
I have been reading A LOT in these forums and other articles. My doctor insists that the only way to get rid of PMDD/PMS symptoms is to remove the ovaries. But I have read some stories that seem to indicate that this might not be true.
Also, when my cycle "Hell Day" came around and my period did not come on time, I did not have any of the awful symptoms.
So I am wondering if my ovaries look ok, if it might be ok to keep them and would I still have relief of the PMDD/PMS just to get rid of my uterus?
Anyone with personal feedback on this?
My target date for TAH is September 21, but we are still waiting on insurance approval before scheduling.
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09-06-2009, 05:54 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 9
Hysterectomy: September 9th, 2009
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
My gyno said that removing the ovaries would replace one problem with another. You go from pmdd to full blown menopause. He said 90% of women have a huge improvement with simply having the uterus removed. I have my surgery on Wednesday and will be keeping atleast one ovary as long as it's healthy.
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09-06-2009, 11:24 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 225
Hysterectomy: September 17th, 2009
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Re: PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
Thanks, yahyah, I appreciate your response. Let me know how it goes. Are you ready?
I still have a couple of weeks to get ready, but am feeling overwhelmed with things that need to be done to prep my house.
I read that the ovaries keep producing important hormones even after they "die".
On the one hand, I think I am close to menopause anyway, but on the other hand I really do not want to experience any more PMDD symptoms, ever, that has been a nightmare for myself and everyone around me.
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09-06-2009, 12:22 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 36
Hysterectomy: September 22nd, 2009
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Re: PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
I am facing a similar decision. My surgery is 9/22, and each week i have flip-flopped between Yes-i will keep my ovaries and No- i will NOT keep them. It's such a tough choice!! half of the world says keep them, the other half says no. When i start leaning toward keeping them, i think about down the road, what if i get ovarian cancer (cancer runs in my fam) and i HAD my chance to have them gone and didn't take it? Sigh. The only answer is that there isn't any ONE answer, because we are so very different and will all have such very different reactions in the end. I will say a prayer for you, for your answer to come! Good luck!
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09-06-2009, 12:27 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 136
Hysterectomy: September 1st, 2009
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Re: PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
My doctor and I decided to take the ovaries as I am 49 and so close to menopause anyway. He said the chance for ovarian cancer was small
(1-2%), but I decided not to take that chance. I am 4 days post op and have had no symptoms yet. Guess I walk down that road if it comes. Good luck to you and the decision you make. See you on the side!!!!!
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09-06-2009, 01:32 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 225
Hysterectomy: September 17th, 2009
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Re: PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
I don't have any family history because I was adopted. But I have read now that there is a test for a genetic form of ovarian cancer that is available. I think I will request that test. I think if it is negative, that I will request to keep my ovaries.
At the same time, my doctor is demanding that I have a mammogram, but I have dense fibrous tissue and they have never ever been able to read my mammos. So I don't want to put myself through another one. Now I have read that an MRI of the breast will do a better job of reading dense tissue. So I am going to ask for that too.
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09-06-2009, 01:46 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 225
Hysterectomy: September 17th, 2009
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Re: PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
Texasbluebonney, I am also in Texas :-)
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09-06-2009, 02:09 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 437
Hysterectomy: August 12th, 2009
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
I stand (and sit) by every word I wrote here:
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...19&postcount=8
I'm so happy to not have the dang ovaries, it's not funny. Oh gee, so I get hot 2-3x per day. I'd rather be sweating than swearing. I'd rather be fanning my bosom than wishing life would end so the pain will stop.
And if I do end up on HRT, so be it, it'll still be a level amount versus the craziness that I'm certain the ovaries were doing. My calcium is good, my bones are strong, and I fully intend to be as active as possible and get down to a reasonable weight, now that I don't have to stop for 3 weeks every month for irretractable pain and binge eating.
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09-06-2009, 03:20 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 501
Hysterectomy: March 7th, 2006
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
NO NO NO
For goodness sake please do NOT let them take your ovaries if they are healthy. I had to have mine removed because of endometrial cancer and I can tell you now-surgical menopause was hell!
Even if you are allowed ERT it will not replicate exactly the hormones your own ovaries make. Indeed there are many women who find they are unable to tolerate any ERT at all - I am one of them and I assure you it is no picnic struggling along cold turkey.
I feel very strongly about this and in the past couple of days I have posted on a couple of threads where women have had their ovaries needlessly removed because they weren't told of all the potential problems and now they are heartbroken. It can mean you have absolutely no libido apart from the all the other problems like hot flushes, anxiety, depression and forgetfullness.
It is a HUGE deal to have your ovaries removed and four years on I and my husband still have incredible sadness about the whole thing.
Please consider it very carefully before such a huge step. I would rather go back to PMS than go through surgical menopause. At least with PMS there are things you could try to ease it. There are lots of ways to go that wont be so drastic.
Good luck whatever you decide anyway.
uk lady
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09-06-2009, 05:05 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 225
Hysterectomy: September 17th, 2009
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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Re: PMDD/PMS? To keep the ovaries or not?
I really appreciate all the feedback and the responses are all very helpful. Thank you.
I am currently leaning toward keeping my ovaries, and cervix too, for vaginal and bladder support. But only, of course, if they are healthy.
My thought is...it is easier to say "this isn't working" and go back and take something else out if necessary than to try to put it back in.
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