Lots of questions

I'm scheduled for a TVH on March 8 for post menopausal bleeding and hyperplasia, as well as a family history of ovarian cancer and colon cancer that suggests Lynch Syndrome.

I have too many questions to ask now. For today, I'll limit my question to hormones. I have been assumed to be menopausal for five years now. My periods had stopped, after several years of perimenopausal type bleeding. I also suffered my share of hot flashes. I never did have a whole lot of dryness or some of the other symptoms. I asked my doctor if I should expect any symptoms after my ovaries were removed and she said she didn't think so but ordered an FSH test, just to put my mind at ease.

Well, she called me today to say my FSH was lower than she expected. It's 20.5 and the level that indicates menopause is 25. So, I should be prepared for menopausal symptoms. She did say that the extra fat I carry could be producing estrogen, which would cause the FSH level to be lower than expected. So, we really don't know what to expect after surgery.

So, my question is, how soon do you start experiencing symptoms from the loss of hormones? Do you get to recover somewhat before it kicks in?

Hi. :-)

For me, it started immediately. Hot-flashes & night sweats.