Upcoming hysterectomy: Doubtful about having my ovaries removed.

Dear Hyster Sister,

I am new to Hyster Sisters and happy to have found you all out there. I live in the Netherlands in Europe and I am 43 years old. And I have found a few weeks ago that I have (not sure what the proper term is) disturbed cells which WILL result in to cancer since I have a genetic dissorder (Lynch sydrome MLH1) I have around 60% chance on uteres cancer. I need a hysterectomie and it is already planned on 13-04-2015. My gyn advised me to also have my ovaries removed since I have a chance of 5-20% to get cancer in my ovaries. But I am very hassitant and confused about having them removed.
I already have to cope with the fact that I will never become a mom (my husband finally agreed on having children and we were trying to become pregnant) but now I am advised to have my ovaries removed I am wobbling, googling, asking around.....and I cant make my mind up.
I see a lot stories about negative experiences about taking hormones. And of course I feel I have to take them to prevent menopause. Are there ladies out there who started taking hormones after a full hysterectomie who want to share their experience with me. Do you feel the same (after recovery) or do you sence pains and other bad side effects? What hormones are you taking. Were you faced with the same or similar percentages of risk of getting cancer in your ovaries. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your response. Love Miss Mocambo

Hi Miss Mocambo to HysterSisters!

I am so sorry you are going through all of this. I am sorry that you are losing your uterus and ovaries just when you were trying to have children.

My surgery was for a very large complex ovarian cyst and numerous uterine fibroids. I also had a cancer concern, but all came back benign. I had a total hysterectomy and lost both tubes and ovaries (no choice) at age 46. I was plunged into surgical menopause and I was MISERABLE. My GP put me on low dose oral bio-identical oral estrogen and it gave me my life back. It is not the same as my natural hormones, of course, but I have not had issues with it. I was also very lucky and the first dosage tried worked. Sometimes it can take some trial and error to find the right dosage.

I will be on this for the rest of my life, as it is much better for my health than not being on it. My experience with this has been positive. The negative press on HRT concerned me before surgery. But, post-surgery I have not had any issues.

I needed to have my ovaries removed. I had my surgery last month. I am unable to take hormones due to cancer concerns and endometriosis.

So far, surgical menopause has been good. I have a few hot flashes in the day and night. They last less than two minutes. I have some fatigue but that could be that I am still recovering from the surgery.

I was scared of making such a big change but it has been worth it for me. Keep doing research and talking to people so you feel completely comfortable with your decision.

The hardest part for me emotionally was before the surgery. I thought I might cry a lot or be angry afterward from the hormonal changes but I have felt pretty calm. Calmer than before when I had a short 24-day-cycle of a week of PMS, then painful cramps during my period and then a week of rest before repeating the cycle! I'm much more comfortable now.

Blessings to you for a smooth surgery and healing!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by daisy-dreams I needed to have my ovaries removed. I had my surgery last month. I am unable to take hormones due to cancer concerns and endometriosis. So far, surgical menopause has been good. I have a few hot flashes in the day and night. They last less than two minutes. I have some fatigue but that could be that I am still recovering from the surgery. I was scared of making such a big change but it has been worth it for me. Keep doing research and talking to people so you feel completely comfortable with your decision. The hardest part for me emotionally was before the surgery. I thought I might cry a lot or be angry afterward from the hormonal changes but I have felt pretty calm. Calmer than before when I had a short 24-day-cycle of a week of PMS, then painful cramps during my period and then a week of rest before repeating the cycle! I'm much more comfortable now. Blessings to you for a smooth surgery and healing!

Hi there! Thanks so much for your post. I had my hysterectomy in Dec 2014. They initially saved my ovaries but after a positive pelvic wash, I will be having them removed in just over a week. I will confess the closer I get, the more scared I get.

Sounds like your menapause symptoms have been manageable. Is there anything you use to control the hot flashes, etc.?

Thanks!

Heather

Dear DaiseyDreams,
Thank you so much for you reply and I am very happy to ready your recovery is going the way it is and you are not having to difficult menopause issues and great to read you feel better emotionally. I am a bit of a emotional mess anyways. And now I have my last ever period and having this difficult descision upcoming And being a controlfreak I am having a hard time not driving myself and my husband crazy...

And dear Marestal thanks so much for you response and soso good to read that hormonetherapy is working so well for you!! Its very hard that the hospital were I am at is an academic hospital which means you cant have a main or personal gyn and I get all my info through the phone so I am searching for answers on the internet which besides hyster sisters isnt very comforting. ON monday I will try and contact a gyn from another hospital which is a specialist on hormonetreatments for surgical menopause and family related cancer. I hope she can answer some of my questions. Of course I need to have a prescription for hormones to start if needed right after my surgery. again thank you for being my hyster sister. I need you bad.

Since you referenced cancer with a possible genetic link, I wanted to be sure you know we also have Cancer Concerns and GYN Genetics forums which you're also welcome to check out. There's lots of great information as well as ladies who've been there/done that.

Also, where gyn cancer is suspected or diagnosed, we recommend consulting a gyn/onc (gynecological oncologist), if at all possible. They are the experts in this area, and it never hurts to get a second opinion prior to major procedures, anyway.

Sending hugs and positive thoughts your way!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by hshafland Hi there! Thanks so much for your post. I had my hysterectomy in Dec 2014. They initially saved my ovaries but after a positive pelvic wash, I will be having them removed in just over a week. I will confess the closer I get, the more scared I get. Sounds like your menapause symptoms have been manageable. Is there anything you use to control the hot flashes, etc.? Thanks! Heather

Heather,
I think it is so very natural and normal to be scared before surgery and while facing the unknown. It is a hard time to go through, but you will get through it!

I'm not taking anything to control the hot flashes. I do deep breathing when they start. I don't really mind them. I have always had a cold nature so it is funny to actually feel warm for a change! My oncologist said if it ever is unbearable, there are prescriptions I can try that are non-hormonal.

I have friends with hysterectomies who needed hrt and feel more comfortable with it. I also know others like me who do not take anything and feel good. I encourage every woman to care for her body in the way that makes sense to her and works for her.

Heather and Miss Mocambo,
I hope both of you will rest, stay strong through this tough time and get better soon.

Many blessings! Take good care of yourselves!