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Medical menopause...
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03-10-2006, 06:49 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 399
Hysterectomy: April 21st, 2006
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Medical menopause...
Is it called this when you have a hysterectomy or can it apply to an endometrial ablation that ended your periods? I've not had a period since last July. I had my ablation in June. What I'm trying to ask is am I in menopause already due to that procedure and shouldn't I have already been on HRT?
The reason I ask this is because my doctor is going to put me on a low dose HRT and says it's better to do this right after the surgery than to wait because it could be harmful to my heart problems I have. I'm just wondering if HRT will affect my heart now.
Maybe not since the ovaries are still producing hormones. I just don't want another heart attack.
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03-10-2006, 12:30 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 527
Hysterectomy: March 31st, 2006
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Medical menopause...
I think it is called that when you have a hysterectomy or are taking a drug like Lupron. You should always consult your doctor and I can only say what I know but I could have gotten 'bad' info, as well.
BE SURE TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR.
I think that you are only in menopause when your hormones are affected, like with removal of ovaries, and not just when you are not having a period any longer. I have not had a period for about 2 years due to taking birth control back to back and then an IUD and I have not had to be on any HRT. When I was on Lupron however, I did take a low dose of HRT because that drug puts your body into menopause, in my case to slow the regrowth of endometriosis.
Definitely call your doc though and make sure to get all of your questions answered pre-op. Good luck!
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03-10-2006, 04:11 PM
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Posts: 30,771
Hysterectomy: February 4th, 2002
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Medical menopause...
Hi smilinfaces That's a great question! It's hard to know whether you are not having periods because your ovaries are not working anymore, or (more likely imho) not having periods because you had the lining of your uterus ablated (is that a verb? ) so there is nothing to shed.
Early menopause (either surgical or chemical) occurs when the ovaries are not producing the *right* hormones to facilitate buildup and shedding of the endometrial lining, as well as ovulation, whether it's due to surgical or chemical reasons. Just not bleeding is not necessarily menopause... the ovaries could still be cycling normally.
To find out whether or not you are actually in menopause, you could have your FSH level tested. This would need to be done before you start HRT, because HRT could cause your FSH level to appear premenopausal artificially (this is the case for most of us with BSO's who are on HRT).
FSH is a pituitary hormone that tells the ovaries to produce more estrogen. If the ovaries fail to oblige, the pituitary makes more FSH; so, a high FSH level indicates ovarian failure (or the absence of ovaries). The reason using HRT can invalidate the test is because if you are taking enough estrogen, your pituitary will probably not make FSH, even in the absence of ovaries.
Are you having any menopausal symptoms (lack of bleeding aside)? Things like hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, mood swings, vaginal dryness, sore breasts? If so, you might suspect your ovaries could really be failing. If not, then I'd question the decision to put you on HRT - it may cause more problems than it solves.
I hope this helps.
s,
-Linda
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03-12-2006, 12:25 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 399
Hysterectomy: April 21st, 2006
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Medical menopause...
Thanks for the replies. I think my ovaries are still working because I still feel pain in them from time to time and especially every month when my period would normally occur if I were still having them. I do know that the doctor said he would be taking them out so then it will definately be medical menopause.
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