ovarian "shock" or failure after hyst?

Good evening fellow sisters! ..and happy new year to you all too!

I have learned a LOT from this website, one being, something about some women experiencing ovarian "shock" or failure after having a hyst. I'd never heard this before so this now concerns me. I plan to request my ovaries be left alone if they don't look suspicious, I think they're important as others have voiced.

I would REALLY appreciate any information regarding temporary ovarian shock (menopausal symptoms, hot flashes, etc.) after having a hyst. How long did it last in those of you who experienced it? I wonder what percentage of of women experience this... the majority or the minority?

Also, I've either read or heard that ovaries often "shut down" about 5 years after having a hyst.... something about the blood supply is either drastically cut or completely lost. Have any of you sisters experienced ovarian failure from having a hysterectomy?

Well, I sure hope you ladies with all the experience will come through for me. I really prefer to keep my ovaries but if they are bound to fail in the near future, it's almost like "what's the point?" I plan to bring the subject up at my pre-op appt. but that isn't till mere days before my surgery....maybe I'll learn more there too.

Again, Happy New Year to you all! Hoping we all feel just GREAT in '05 !!

Hugz,
Reety

Hi Reety,

Happy New Year.

I like your thread. I can't address the ovarian shock or failure because it did not happen to me.

I did have temporary chemical menopause before my surgery due to (3) shots of lupron to shrink my fibroids enough for surgery. The lupron caused hot flashes, night sweats and a lack of interest in sex. I decided I wanted to keep my ovaries if I was a candidate after that. Today, my ovaries work great.

I also read on H.S. that the ovaries secrete hormones than help with the bones, skin and hair. I have read the 5 yr. stat also and I think if I get five years that is better than none. As long as my ovaries are functioning they are helping me.

Best wishes. The ovary question is a very personal choice.

Mary

Hi Historylady!

..and thank you. I'm glad you were online and posted a reply. ..and I do agree... even if my ovaries would fail in 5 or so years, I would still want them left in. I'm 40 and was REALLY hoping that I would go on and experience a natural menopause which probably wouldn't occur till I'm 55. That was my mom's and my g-ma's case. So, if I only get 5 more years, so be it. I hope I can keep the little buggers!

Thanks again...

Reety

Hi Reety,

That is how I look at it. The 5 years is really a stat. An average if you will. Some ladies go less time and some ladies go more time. I think it depends on one's physical shape and the health of the ovaries after surgery.

I have seen several ladies post who had "sleeping" ovaries right after surgery. It is from the shock of surgery. With many, the ovaries wake up and some go on HRT temporarily. And with some the ovaries never quite wake up. So...with a hyst there can be chances with the ovaries.

Is it worth it? For me it was. My hyst gave me my health and my quality of life back. My hyst was one of the best things I did for myself in 2004.

Best wishes again,

Mary

Hi again Historylady

Well, you also helped in the respect that I have one "negative" as to the shock question. I hope others will also let me know if they experienced that or not.

Also, is "sleeping ovaries" different from ovarian shock? That's another new one for me... never heard the term "sleeping ovaries"! hmm! Guess that further proves it, you're never too old to learn!

As for my general health, I'm ok, as far as I know, in all other depts. I just know that once I get rid of this hateful uterus, I'll be almost as good as a 20 year old again! Wonder if that's a pipedream! ha!

Thanks again!

Hi Reety,

Good question about ovarian shock and sleeping ovaries. From what I understand, they can be the same.

I am SO......glad to be uterus free. This time last year I had two bad boy fibroids, bladder incontinence up the wazoo%$#@, constipation and the list goes on and on.

What a difference a year makes!!

Mary

Hi Mary,

LOL, you sound like you talk about like I do. haha Well, I'm real glad to know that you are doing SO much better... I am 99.99% sure that I will feel EXACTLY as you do once I'm on the other side. I read somewhere on here earlier that someone might think someone were crazy for "looking forward to a hyst"... well, I'm definitely a CRAZY woman then.. I am ready to get that thing outta there! Now, that's not to say I'm not nervous, I think that is perfectly natural... this is a big deal, a big surgery. But, it's gonna be worth it all.

Thank you so much for being there for all of us sisters tonight! Looks like you and I aren't "party animals", eh? This is how hubby and I always ring in the new year, me on the computer, he's snoring! HA!

Have a good night. I have to log off, we're in the CST zone and it's almost time! I'm ready for '05 !!!!

Hugz to you Mary... thanks!

Reety

Take care, Reety.

Mary

I did want you to know that my mother had her hysterectomy 30 years ago.........she kept her ovaries and her didnt quit working until she went through menopause. She is now 60 years old and her menopausal symptoms began at about 48 she has been through menopause........Mind you I am glad I moved out of the house!!!!

So the five years is a stat and probably more common.....an average and everyone will experience things different and at different times.


Have a super blessed New Year!

I had no menopause symptoms after surgery. If my one remaining ovary shut down, it was only for a very brief time and I can tell it's working now. (Can you spell PMS? )

BTW, I'm glad I kept it.

All the best,

Catalina