How long for menopause symptoms to appear?

Hi everyone,
Just a quick question, I am scheduled for a rad. hys. on tuesday. I am 33 years old and wondering how long will it be before I experience the symptoms of sudden menopause? Will my age make a difference? Dealing w/cervical cancer is enough without worrying about hot flashes, insomnia etc. Any sisters out there have any experiences they can share?
Thanks, Linda

Hi Linda, I hope everything goes well for you. I didn't have any symptoms because I was put on a patch in recovery, but I have a friend who was only 36 when she had hers and on the 3rd day in the hospital she just started crying for no reason and couldn't stop. The Dr ordered her a shot and she was fine after that. She is on pills, so thats all I know about it. Maybe someone closer to your age will answer you. Take care and good luck.

Hi Linda -- Good luck on Tuesday. I'll be thinking of you . I am 39. My menopausal symtpoms kicked in around 3 weeks after. I guess it takes your body a while to use up its reserves of hormones and other stuff it can convert to estrogen. Everyone is different. For me it started with hot flashes, then I got the emotional ups and downs and insomnia. The hot flashes are already getting managable, but the insomnia will not let up - that is probably the worse of it for me. I already had vaginal dryness because of breast cancer meds, so that wasn't a surprise and I manage it with Replens and other lubes/moisturizers. Hope this helps some.
Marie

I am 32, and had my TAH almost 3 weeks ago. Hot flashes started about 48 hours after surgery. So far that is the only Menopause symptom that I have been having.

Hi,
My symptoms started around 3 weeks I think also. I have hot flashes and insomnia as the main symptom, but the insomnia is alot better than it used to. I have been using progesterone cream and I think it is starting to help with the flashes. I have only been using it faithfully for about a week or so. I have not had any major emotional symptoms thankfully. Good luck to you and I hope you don't get alot of symptoms. Being younger too like you I was really really worried about this before surgery also. I can deal pretty well with the hot flashes and and thankful I am painfree now. Tiffany

Linda,

Menopausal symtoms started two weeks after surgery for me. I started hormones and two weeks later, symptoms started up again. I had my hormones increased and since then, things have been great.

Has your doctor said that you can't take ERT following surgery?

Dianne

Linda,
I am 33 years old also and had a LAVH on Sept 22nd. My hot flashes started in recovery. My doctor gave me the patch right away before I left the hospital. Huge difference for me. I also was given a small dose of anti-depressant for the insomnia(Lexapro)- The good news is at four weeks I felt great. The fatique stays for awhile but the pain was minimal. No regrets because for the first time in years I have no pain.
Best of luck and God Bless,
Michelle

Linda, I hope all goes well for you. I think I'm the exception to the rule. I had a TAH/BSO five months ago. I am not taking any HRT and only broke out in a few mild sweats over the summer which I think were heat related. I have not had any menopause symptoms. Not quite sure what to think of it but am very surprised and happy about it.

Jean

Hello autumnsky
I really thought the surgeon had left my ovaries in after the operation because I had no symptoms whatsoever and kept asking if he was SURE he'd removed them. About 3 weeks after op I had some hot sweats, mainly at night and now the insomnia has kicked in and I am also getting emotional. Can't take HRT so doctor said there are lots of alternatives out there if I find things unbearable, but right now I'm coping OK 6 weeks on.

Hello all! I am 34 years old and I had my total hysterectomy on Sept. 29th. My overies were removed and my doctor put me on the Vivelle patch in recovery. I have had no symptoms to date!