Keeping ovaries and not on HRT?

Hi all you sisters,

Not looking for medical advice here! I'm still Pre-Op for SAH and wondering if anyone on the Post-Op side has had the ovaries out but not going on HRT, and if so, how you are feeling.

I'm not a good candidate for HRT because of a family history of breast cancer. I just wonder, in anyone else's experience, is it okay without it?
I know that the ovaries produce a tiny amount of estrogen, and I'm just wondering what anyone else's experiences might be without that estrogen and without HRT.

Right now, pre-surgery, I'm on a drug which simulates a fake menopause (stops periods so iron levels come up, shrinks fibroids a bit, etc.) and the dr. suggested that I would feel exactly the same without ovaries as I do now on this drug. If so, that's okay with me, because it's really not bad. I didn't have a clue what to expect for menopause but my experience so far (although fake) has been totally fine.

Is anyone without ovaries, without HRT, and feeling really good? I'd love to hear from you!

Reedgurl

Hi, I am not doing HRT either and I am pre op and having a tvh, but I already am in menopause, dont like the feeling hormones give me, makes me feel like I am pms ing all over again, good luck, your surgery is a week before mine....hugs, Denna

Thanks for posting, Kianarose. That's a really interesting perspective on the hormones. Hmmm....

I always thought if it came to having a hysterectomy I would keep the ovaries, but now I'm feeling fairly relaxed about the idea of just going ahead and having them taken out.

Can't wait for the whole thing to be finished, and to be home from the Castle and recovering. All the best to you in your surgery also!

reedgurl

HI. My surgery was June 30th. So I am hitting 7 weeks. Someone told me I was still using stored hormones at this point. I don't know.

I began having hot flashes a couple of days ago. It isn't too bad yet. But then I'm not at work. I don't know how I'll handle my hair getting wet when I return to work in September!! I am avoing HRT because of the same reason as yours.

I did hear that soy milk provides vegetable estrogen which can help. I might not even have the right milk listed. I was asking a Pharmacist about those OTC estrogen supplements. She said they contained an ingredient you could get by drinking some sort of milk! I'm pretty sure it was soy milk. My doctor says not all woman go HRT. Many ride out the hot flashes, night sweats and other things and make it thru without it. Now, I don't know. I am only 7 weeks into this. My Doctor told me to increase my calcium to 1500 mg a day. Other than that, I haven't done anything yet.

I don't know if this helps you or not. I'm sure that there are plenty of people who know lots more than I about all of this. But I'm happy to share my experiences. Good luck with your surgery. Mine went well. And that surprised me more than anything!!

ronni

Oh yeah, stored hormones! That's one thing I was kind of wondering, like how long they last for, when they run out, etc. Somewhere in my mind I think I had a sense that maybe that is what I'm running on right now.

My hot flashes have just been like little heat waves that last anywhere from 45 sec. to two or three minutes. It just feels like I'm sitting in a hot car, and the sunlight is burning through the window warming my skin, and then suddenly I realize that the fan went off and I'm actually really hot.

That's when I think the classic,"Is it hot in here or is it just me?" And I realize that it IS just me. Then it goes away. I haven't really burst out into extreme sweatiness or anything at this point, so as far as I know, no one else is aware of it. I'm sure everyone is different, so I have no idea what it will be like for you. Also, I am getting this only because of the Zoladex, and don't know if "real" menopause will be the same, especially the way we are plunged into it surgically...

I get night sweats, too, I guess, but I always tend to attribute that to,"oh, I overdressed again with those flannel pj's!" That's one thing I would avoid in menopause for sure.

You are right about the soy milk. It is soy milk for sure. It is also available calcium fortified. Somewhere I read that a lot of plants also have plant estrogens, like soy does. These are pretty friendly to the female body and not overwhelming, probably really good for someone in our position. Really beneficial that is. So we have to remember to eat lots of veggies. Watch out for pesticides, because they contain chemicals that mimic estrogen but are a lot stronger and bad news for the body.

Soy milk doesn't appeal to everyone for drinking, but it's okay on cereal. You can water it down if it's too thick.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, ronni. Yes, it does help me, because I have no clue what to expect in the hormone dept. I'm glad your surgery went well. I can't wait to be on the other side of this also!

reedgurl

reedgurl
When is your surgery scheduled? I remember the waiting was the worst of all for me. Seriously. I'll take the hot flashes and night sweats over waiting any day!

I might just try the soy milk. Although I really have trouble drinking or eating anything I don't like. I might have to pay for pills. I guess estroven is about the same. But I'll try the milk first.

Your description of a hot flash is the best I have ever read! That's exactly how I feel at times. And I always blame night sweats on my clothes too! Funny, isn't it.

Take care, ronni

Yeah, I just realized that I called it "keeping ovaries" when I meant *not* keeping the ovaries.:hair:

Is this fuzzy thinking my hormone imbalance come to life????

If anyone made it through the original post, maybe they'll know what I meant, but anyway, for any of you great sisters reading this now, I discovered that where we really need to be in this website for this question is over at "Hormone Jungle." Tons of info over there for any questions on sudden menopause, answers for people who can't be on HRT for whatever reason, etc. etc. So I think we should all just head on over to the hormone jungle together.

Ronni, glad you liked my description of my hot flashes. I hope they stay like that and don't get any more intense. Hope yours stay bearable as well!

Ronni, if you can stand the soy products, that's good. Better than pills, according to the folks over at the hormone jungle, who are keeping up with a lot of current research!

My surgery date is Sept. 1, exactly 2 weeks away.
I'm trying to get everything organized before I go in, so I can just take it easy while I'm at the Castle. LOL

Hey, Kianarose, see you over at Hormone Jungle!

reedgurl

REEDGIRL, YOU HAVE A DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!dENNA