If I'm already menopausal, will I have symptoms?

Hi Ladies,

i have a question. I'm in full blown menopause confirmed by my doctor, i think I have been going through it for a few years now. Well I'm having a complete LVG, takeing it all out. Due to Breast cancer and family history. Anyhow my question is since I have already experienced all the symptoms, and am in menopause, having this surgery wont' add to the already existing side effects?

Thanks,

Hi Snuffles I'm not familiar with the abbreviation LVG - do you mean a TVH (total vaginal hysterectomy)? Are you also having your ovaries removed? That is a BSO (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy), so the combination is a TVH/BSO.

Even after natural menopause, the ovaries do continue to produce small amounts of hormones, especially testosterone. So, yes, it's likely (though not guaranteed) that you will still experience some symptoms after your surgery, once your stored hormone reserves are used up. One thing to watch for is low libido, which is a sign of a loss of that testosterone that your ovaries are still making. It may surface several weeks to months after your surgery.

Some women who are postmenopausal report that they do experience hot flashes and night sweats right away. If you do, don't hesitate to speak to your DR about what your options for symptom relief are, because it's harder for your body to heal if you're also trying to deal with feeling so uncomfortable.

Good luck with your surgery!
s,
-Linda

Hi Linda,

I am having it all out, ovaries and all, so I guess that is what I'm having done, TVH and BSO, I will find out for sure next Tuesday. They are taking it all because I just went through Breast Cancer that was all hormone driven, so they don't won't me to have any hormones in my body or as few as possible. I hope I don't get to many symptoms, I've had them already for so long. But I'm glad to be getting this done. How long has it been since your surgery? how did you feel?

Thanks so much,
Randi

Hi Randi,

My TVH/BSO was four years ago. I am on hormone replacement though, and feel great now, but I had some rough years after the surgery. One year later I had to have most of my colon removed (recurrent diverticulitis) and then a year after that I had a lumpectomy for breast cancer. Once I recovered from that, I was able to get busy exercising and trying to get my health back. It has been a long road, but life is pretty good now.

You might ask your oncologist whether or not you can at least use vaginal estrogen, because vaginal dryness is a very common problem after this surgery, even for women on HRT. My oncologist, though she doesn't always prescribe HRT's for her breast cancer patients, does pretty much always allow them to use Vagifem or Estring, because those ultra low doses stay only in the vaginal walls.

Other things to ask about for general symptom relief include Tibolone (aka Livial), which is a non-hormonal drug called a STEAR (more info on this is available in our Resources directory), Effexor, Clonidine and belladonna. There are also herbs such as red clover and black cohosh, and soy, but those are phytoestrogens, and many oncologists believe (and I agree) that if you cannot use estrogen, you should not use those, either.

I hope this helps.
s,
-Linda

Oh Linda, I have the vaginal dryness already real bad from the chemo, so I'm use to that and do get stuff for it. Um, I'm doing good now that all my bc treatments are done, I walk and eat right, trying to lose at least 10lbs before the surgery, i have 11 weeks so I should be able to do that. I will be taking a drug for 5 years once the surgery is done, it is to help prevent a recurrance of the BC.

I'm praying all goes well and since my systems is already use to not as much hormones it will be a tad easier for me.

Randi