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[supernan05]

Hi my name is Sally. I am 53 and married with three children and five grandchildren. I had a TAH+BSO in 2006, immediately going on to hrt for bone protection. HRT was stopped after 5/6 years and all was ok. I have a few long term medical issues and take a number of different meds daily. I have been having sweats for a few years now but nothing that bothered me, however this has been steadily worsening so I spoke with my gp. She has restarted me on Oestrogel as she feels that I am the right age for natural menopause (all other piffling symptoms fit this dx too). I am totally confused as I had my ovaries removed and have been unable to find out from "Dr Google" anything about this and wondered if anyone here has had this happen to them?
Many thanks.

[Annie0710]

Yes yes yes !
Omg thank you for posting.  Before I forget have a look at HysterSisters forum

Anyway I had my hysterectomy in 1999 age 32 for prolapse and I chose to keep my ovaries.  Within 6 months I started having symptoms so trotted along to my GP who specialised in women's health.  She suspected my ovaries weren't coping with the loss of uterus and cervix so did bloods, they came back very low oestrogen so she started me on oestrogen tablets.  Within a few weeks symptoms were back so she increased dose.  Everything perfect from age 32/33 to 45 when suddenly after months of stress I felt dreadful.  Bloods showed peri, I couldn't understand why as to me I'd been through it but a gynae said it's 2nd menopause and it hits hard ! Last year I had a scan and my ovaries had gone ! Not sure when this happened but I'd say when I was 45 and had the start of all this. 

I believe when you have no ovaries it puts extra pressure on the adrenals

1st time round my symptoms were very physical but this time round it's been predominantly emotional symptoms and a very sudden 'aged' appearance and  feeling. X

[Tempest]

Hi, Sally!!

I'm a fellow TAH/BSO lady too. Welcome!

Well now.....This is a VERY interesting point! I spend some time over at Hystersisters too (US based forum) and there HAVE been reports of this happening to some ladies around the age of natural menopause! No one really knows why this happens - my best guess is that adrenal function is in fact declining with age and as this is the primary site for hormone production post BSO, symptoms may return or intensify for a while until your body adjusts. It's all guesswork really, as so much isnt known about the effects of surgical menopause.

Are you happy about restarting HRT?

[Tempest]

Hi, Annie! We posted at the same time but you've also got the gist of it there! xxxx

[Annie0710]

Hi Tempest ;-)

These things that happen after hysterectomy/BSO are incredible and only someone who's encountered them can relate I think, but not sure anyone can quite get their head around the concept of this 2nd menopause !

Forgot to say welcome Sally in my excitement and shock of the mention of a 2nd menopause ! X

[Menomale]

Hi ladies,

As you said Tempest, adrenal function declining with age may be a very important factor, mainly for women under surgical menoupause.
It's interesting that a type of adrenal tumor (pheochromocytoma) have symptoms that overlap perimenopause/menopause symptoms.
http://www.merckmanuals.com/en-pr/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/adrenal-disorders/pheochromocytoma

[Hurdity]

Hi supernan05

 

I am a bit confused too - I think because of your GP!! It doesn't sound like a second menopause to me from what you've said 

Firstly you were given oestrogen as you should have been, following your op. Not sure why this was stopped as you still hadn't reached the natural age of menopause? . You have said your sweats have been worsening - which would be expected as you have stopped HRT - and for some women symptoms continue to worsen following menopause (or cessation of HRT following menopause)

What I don't understand is your doc starting you on HRT now, because you are the natural age for menopause. This is bunkum! You should have been on it at least until the natural age of menopause (which is 51/52) and then you could choose to stop or conrtinue if you wanted - although most women would continue beyond this, if still getting symptoms! So yes - do start the oestrogel and make up for those missing years! You might want to consider testosterone too - but depends on whether you have symptoms of low T?

I would say - just start that gel and you should feel better very soon

Hurdity x

[supernan05]

Thanks ladies, I don't feel quite so bad now knowing I am not going mad! I've had various symptoms on and off for a number of years, all of which could be attributed to my other long term medical issues. My current doctor is in fact very good, and has said that if I was older she would be able to send me to geriatrician as they look at the whole person and where the symptoms fit in rather than taking each symptom/illness separately.  As I said before I take a number of different meds morning and night for various things so using the gel doesn't bother me. Also, the sweats bother my husband a bit more than me as I will sit watching tv with a fan on next to me which makes him feel cold! I've told him - more than once - that he'll have to put more clothes on cos I'm sure not stripping down to my undies 😂