pms, migraines & ovaries

This is a terrific site!!! Hystersisters have already been a great source of info and encouragement. I do have something that's bugging me and wanted to know what other sisters think.

I have severe pms (actually pm depression) and migraines that occur with my cycle. Over the past 10 months or so both have gotten worse and my cycle is erratic (sometimes 21 days or 24 or 27- I never know). I also go to the potty all the time and have short term memory loss/word recall difficulties. My doc (who is fantastic - he actually listens to what I have to say!!) first tried me on bc pills, but after 4 mos my pmd & migraines were so bad I was afraid I'd do something drastic. Went back to the doc who suggested doing a laproscopy to see if anything was going on.

That was 2 weeks ago & he found endo (stageI), retrograde uterus/bleeding, ruptured ovarian cyst & (LOL) an appendix 2x the normal length. He also suspects adeno which would explain cramps, bleeding etc. (no surprise - DM had adeno). I am ok with having a hysterectomy, but I am really nervous about BSO. Part of me actually feels guilty about ditching my structurally healthy ovaries, but the other part of me says a hysterectomy alone is only going to solve half my problems. I can't stand the thought of 10-14 years more of the migraines & pms. (DM also had migraines & has not had one since her tah/bso 20 years ago. She is on ert)

I think mostly I am scared to go into instant meno - and I can't change my mind!!

I'd appreciate any input anyone has. My lavh/bso is scheduled for 7/17.

Sounds familiar! If you leave the ovaries, you still have the hormone fluctuations with no bleeding. You also lose track of where in your cycle you are because you have no CM to track (assuming you take the cervix) and no bleeding. I have a friend that had just the uterus taken and had these problems. She discovered she was estrogen dominant and so uses progesterone cream to even out her pms and migranes.

I opted to have the BSO and am very happy being hormonally balanced on HRT. I'm 7 weeks post-op and feeling great. I'm on both estrogen and progesterone.

Talk to your Dr. about options if you leave the ovaries for managing the migranes and PMS.

Me too! Me too!! HA! I was terrified of becoming the woman my darling family accuses me of being one week every month!! I have found so much reassurance right here! I spoke to my Dr. and she swears that they will work it all out so I will actually be a nicer more even person than I am now, tho THAT'S hard to imagine....heehee. I went from being terrified of the emotional chaos to actually looking foreward to being even keeled. I hope that you find the same to be true for you.......My TAH/BSO isn't for two more months or so, so I have LOTS more time to read stuff here! Yippee Betsy

I had a bso and really let my DR make the decision. I felt like she knew more about my body and about female functions than I did. My ovaries were not in good shape so she had to remove them. She had intended to leave them or at least one if they were ok but couldn't. I am balanced at least for now it is a JUNGLE when you get into all the hormone things but to be honest I rather do the JUNGLE than go through the migraines and pms. I had those also before surgery. But my advice is to read, talk with your DR and come to the decision that works best for you. You should be the only one that decides what is best. Unless the DR finds something they weren't expecting. God Bless. Oh I don't have the pms or the migranines anymore. they were due to all the hormones now I just have a few little things like water retention. So keep on reading and good luck.

Hi Lanaye,

I too am new to this site and have found the wonderful help and support I have received fantastic.

I am scheduled to have a LAH/BSO on 26th July and I am scared! I have had polycystic ovaries all my adult life causing me huge problems. My gyn said she could take my ovaries out if I wished but it was up to me! I have been reading up everything I can find about it all and this site is full of such helpful information. It was actually my GP (normal doctor - don't know what you call them?) who said that as my ovaries have never worked properly I might as well be rid of them and then go onto hrt. I just can't wait to be rid of terrible PMT (currently in the grip of it now!), depression, headaches, feeling sad and tired all the time. I am well overdue a period (which with polycycstic ovaries is 'normal') but I just hope that when it finally arrives it will be MY LAST ONE EVER!!!!!

Hope my small contribution helps you. I am just a 'beginner' on this site but read all you can.

Take care,

With love from,

Sharon xx

I think I'd feel more comfortable about taking out the ovaries if I had cysts - I only have one which ruptured. (I was clueless & thought it was my prizewinning appendix causing the pain.) My DD- who is 13- pointed out that if my ovaries were producing hormones the way they were supposed to, I wouldn't be having the migraines and PMDepression. I'm going to do it, but I am still nervous.

By the way, I see you are from the UK, Shazb. My dh is from Bath! Has it been hard to have your op scheduled? I hear horror stories from my mother-in-law!

Thanks,

LaNaye