TVH, kept ovaries, now menopause

Hi fellow sisters, I had a TVH in January and now it seems my ovaries have stopped working and I am in the trows of menopause. My ovaries were working right after surgery and I didn't have any menopausal symptoms until May. In May I started having hot flashes and really bad headaches. I got my FSH levels tested and they showed I was in some sort of menopausal state. I started on estrogen and felt so much better. Two weeks ago I started having the headaches, hot flashes and an added vaginal dryness problem. I had my levels checked again and found out they were still high and my Dr. increased my dose of estrogen. Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem after keeping their ovaries. Does it take a while to find the right dose of estrogen? None of my friends are anywhere close to going through menopause so I don't really have much support in that area. I would appreciate any advice from others that have gone through menopause either early or late in their lives. I have figured out it is a very emotional and strange time in life no matter what age you are. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. -LeeAnn

Leeann,
It can take some time to find the doseage that is going to be right for you. Most of us in this forum are in surgical menopause; finding the right level without ovaries is difficult. When you keep your ovaries, the ovaries can continue to cycle and emit hormones, just in reduced quantities, which can cause fluctuations in your levels. This site www.dearest.com might be helpful to you, as the ladies there are in natual menopause and may have more experience with the fluctuations that can occur as the ovaries begin to shut down.

You can also check out our Hormone Resources and read the articles at www.hormonejungle.com for more helpful information.