surgical vs. natural menopause

Hi gang!! I have question. I have been told that surgical patients seem to settle down faster as far as symptoms of menopause go??

Does anyone know if that is true or not????

I take everything day by day. Enjoy and try not to worry about things, sometimes my mind works overtime though...

I have this insomnia stuff, which my doctor gave me Ativan for and it has been a lifesaver, but I worry about these types of medicines because they can become addicting and even though I try not to I worry that I will never be able to sleep again without the medicine.

I am 5 weeks post-op, I had to have everything removed due to diseased uterus and ovaries. I feel fantastic other than the sleep thing!



Lisa H

Did a doctor tell you that?

Studies have shown that women who go through a natural menopause tend to need less estrogen to control symptoms than those who have a surgical menopause. I would doubt that one group "settles" faster. Estrogen usually works quickly in all patients.

Try not to worry so much !(I know, easier said than done).

I'm glad you are felling well.

No, actually a nurse told me that......

I am just going through a period right now with a lot of anxiety. The more I read about menopause the more I get confused. The more I worry about everything.

There is just so much to digest. I feel better physically so much, but this anxiety is a killer!! Thank God I do have the Ativan to calm me and get me through this!!!

I can't take HRT because of the Endo so that worries me too!!

I am about 4 weeks post op, and had everything removed and wondered about the surgical menopause too. My only problem so far has been the sleeplessness. Is this typical.. is this menopause related or due to much less energy being expended during the day? Am not on any hormones at this time.

I am taking it day by day also, waiting to see what will develop. I also experienced anxiety in the hospital and the doctor gave me xanax. This does help you sleep, but hate to take it too much.

Michelle

Michelle,

Sounds like the two of us are having the same symptoms and feeling the same about taking the medicines. I hate taking the medicine, but man it beats being awake day and night for 4 days. You feel totally nuts when you don't get your sleep.

I guess my real question is will this go away or am I doomed to a life full of anxiety without hormones or my ovaries??

Sorry guys, This anxiety is causing me to focus on the negative, no matter how hard I try to stay positive.

Lisa

Hi ladies,

I am in the same boat - TAH and both ovaries removed due to family history of cancer. I am now 7-1/2 weeks post-op.

I've been having some hot flashes and some breast pains at times. I already was taking sleeping medication so I can't comment on the sleep or lack of. I am taking Valium and Ambien both. When I first got home I couldn't get enough sleep - like 18 hrs. a day.

Being I am not a patch or HRT candidate I don't know what to expect either. Will I dry up and die with rotted bones? I am 47 years old now.

Interestingly enough, last night I had a small orgasm in my sleep which was very odd as this rarely happened to me in the past. I wonder what that is all about? I have tried any sex because the surgery took 4 hrs. because it turned out to be a nightmare removing the huge fibroid (12 cm.) which was lodged between the bladder, bowels and kidneys.

I am feeling better than I was but I wonder, how long does this "surgical menopause" last? Any clues? I am feeling rather frustrated and finding my patience is wearing thin. Maybe that is because I did not sleep too well last night, I don't know.

Best of luck to all.

SueF

Hi, I am 7 weeks post op of TAH with both ovaries removed. I am not a candidate for hormone replacement due to breast cancer. I have been trying to figure out why I have not been sleeping well. I did not realize this went with it. I have been having the hot flashes and thought this was why not sleeping. I also seem to have more headaches either due to hormone roller coaster or lack of good sleep. I to am trying to take it a day at a time and trying to find the positive side of this, but it is hard. So far the only positive side is no periods!!!!and also less chance of my breast cancer that appeared after 7 years in my right hip bone.
This site has been really good to get help and support while we figure out who the new we are. I wish everybody well and hang in there.

keg

Hi, I wanted to jump in here from a different side of the fence. I had a TVH and everything is gone. I am on HRT and if I forget my HRT med. in the mornin, I'm havin hot flashes by noon.

I'm only 3wks post op and I go back n forth between can't get enough sleep and sleepless nights. From all the help and great info here, I know this is recovery related. I do know I had sleep issues before but the pattern is quite different now.

I read somewhere that one could stop HRT somewhere around 50 but I don't know this to be a fact. I'm 36 and the doc said "You'll probably be on HRT the rest of your life." I think it's a bit confusing and contradictory when trying to read about this stuff.

I've also read that Surgical Menopause is worse than Natural Menopause. Natural menopause comes on over a period of time. Surgical Menopause happens suddenly. Age makes a difference too. A younger woman needs more estrogen than a matured woman.

I hope this helps a little.

I'm 4 1/2 weeks post-op and have been having sleep difficulties for the past 2 weeks. My doctor said this is normal and is due to hormonal imbalances as our bodies try to adjust. He told me to monitor the sleeplessness as well as the mood swings, hot flashes, etc. and to call him in another month to let him know how I'm doing. He didn't feel it was a good idea to change the hormone dosage this early on in the recovery process. He said most people get past the insomnia thing on their own. I am at work right now for the first day, (on my lunchbreak). I'm hoping that getting back to my normal routine will help the sleep issue. In the meantime, I've been taking 25 mg Benadryl at night as needed.

Good luck. It likely will get better soon

Thanks for your input. I will try some benedryl, maybe that will help. Hope you do well especially being back to work, hopefully that will let you sleep better.

thanks
Karla A.