how long until in full menopause

Hi, I had a total hysterectomy on Sept 15th for uterine cancer. I am 38 years old. How long does it take to be in full blown menopause. Will i experience different things off and on? I have had hot flashes but worry about the mood swings. Also anyone here who is not taking hormones and surviving? I will not be able to take hormones due to cancer. I stumbled onto a horrible sight that was so negative about hysterectomy it scarred me into thinking I would never be normal, or enjoy sex or anything else. any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Stephanie

Stephanie ,

I had a hysterectomy and I'm experiences hot flashes already! With my overies still intact. I don't have cancer but due to a medical condition I can not be placed on replacement drugs. So as for people being negative maybe thats the way they are about everything in life!
As for you you need to have happy thoughts and think positve. You are normal and will be able to enjoy things again soon. Feel good.....

Love and hugs Lisa

I had a TAH/BSO too and haven't really experienced any menopause. Doc says I probably won't because I am overweight so my body produces something similar to Estrogen.

I have not had any hot flashes but have had 3 night sweats, 2 of which were in the hospital. I can't say I'm emotionally 100%, I have had some crying times and I think I am more sensitive than I used to be. But, a lot of that could be from the cancer scare, surgery, recovery, fears, tiredness, adjustment back to real life, etc.

I am trying not to take HRT just yet. I am hoping I will be OK.

Here's hoping the same for you. Just pay attention to your body and mind and discuss everything with your doc.

Best wishes!

Geology -

If you had an oopherectomy you are in "full blown" menopause. However as with regular menopause you may not experience all the symptoms. Everybody is different and even the symptoms can onset at different times.

Depending on the type of uterine cancer you might be able to take vaginal estrogen. Vaginal estrogen doesn't go systemic like oral or the patch. It helps prevent vaginal atrophy, again which is a normal menopause issue. Some of us do end up using testosterone for libido purposes.

So much of this is a personal journey and you are early in recovery so take your time and know that there are many here to help you. As things progress you might want to check out the Cancer Care and hormone forums.

I'm sorry you found that other site it is very scary and for those of us who weren't having an elective surgery it creates additional stress.

Sending you hugs.

G.

I think I stumbled onto the same scary site you did right after I found out I had cancer and would need a hysterectomy. I was lucky to find another site that refuted everything on that site!

I am older than you (52 now, 51 at time of surgery), but have had very mild symptoms since the surgery. No HRT due to cancer, and I am more than surviving. I would say the first six months are the hardest, just because you're recovering from major surgery. But I have been pleasantly surprised at how good I feel almost 1 1/2 years after my surgery. I feel perfectly normal, and sex is fine! I've had some dryness, but that has been addressed and no problems now.

Try not to worry. You are very early in your recovery. The negative things you read on that site will more than likely never happen to you. Good luck!

Just to be clear I did have early stage cancer and gyn-onc would have preferred no hrt for a year but was suffering vaginal atrophy so he okayed vaginal estrogen. After initial couple of weeks of every day I only do a 1/2 a gram 2 to 3x a week.

So make sure you talk to your doctor about all options.

Sending hugs.

G.

Sending you hugs.

I had night sweats in the hospital, it was horrible. And the hot flashes in the first week were bad. I have read many places that your body "stores" estrogen in your fat cells, so it is the only time in my life I have been happy to be overweight. Have been on 1.25mg Premarin and my biggest complaint is insomnia. I can say for sure I have been more emotional but I think it is a combination of having to have a hysterectomy at 34, the surgery itself and recovery.

I did so much research before my surgery that it seemed like for every one negative piece of information there was a positive one. Then I found this site and have been so comforted by real life experiences. Keep in mind that everyone is different. Work with your doc and care team, they will do their best for you. But be sure to speak up if you have concerns or questions!

I wish you all the best for your recovery.

Hi ya,
I started a thread in the no hormones called IF YOUR ON HRT DON'T REPLY. I have stage 4 endo and can't take hrt's either. I found a bunch of other ladies who are the same. Check out the thread and be encouraged! I'm already getting flashes and mood swings but its nothing I can't handle.

I went into chemically induced menapause from chemo/rads last year and went on HRT which stopped my hot flashes, dry skin. I recently had total pelvic exenteration and was off the HRT for a few months. A few weeks ago I was started back on estrogen only because the hot flashes were becoming unbearable and my skin was horrendously dry, it was AWFUL nothing was helping. I was also told to take Vitamin E along with the estrogen. I am happpy because the estrogen seems to be kicking in the past few days. Part of my exenteration was a radical hysterectomy and my ovaries went also. I also had persistent cancer that was resistent to treatment. But my cancer is not estrogen dependent so I am able to take it. It is also good for us who are younger who go into menapause because we are at greater risk for osteoporosis. I was going to try and live without the estrogen but I just could not take it any longer. It took me about a month before my menapause symptoms got really bad. But that is me. You may not have any problems at all.