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  • PMS/Menopause after Hysterectomy??

    12 posts, 9 voices (who?), started 2 months ago

    Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 by sherri64

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      Hi everyone,
      I just found this site last night so I thought I would check it out.  I am wondering if there are any others out there who have experienced some type of “pms” after a hysterectomy or do you think it’s menopause?

      I had my hyster July 10th (uterus and cervix only – still have both ovaries) after 2 years of continuosly riding the cotton canoe!!  I swear it never ended, oh, maybe a day or two in between starting and stopping but it was really ruining my quality of life (especially my sex life, I mean come on, how many husbands would really believe that you are STILL on your period after like 12 days???)  Not to mention being at work, standing up and feeling that oh so lovely GUSH!!!!  Having 3 daughters, my poor husband became quite used to backing the truck up at Sam’s Club and loading up on tampons and pads, but it was getting ridiculous.

      Okay, so I did discuss (with my dr) about what happens after – because although  you don’t have a uterus, you still have your ovaries and she did tell me that my blood tests revealed that I am in menopause (I’m 44 yrs old) but still ovulating???  I bring this subject up because today, I could’ve cried at the drop of a dime (which is really embarassing at work) I felt overly sensitive, emotional, pissed off at the world you name it, not to mention the oh so lovely “blushing” that comes and goes but mostly I have trouble at night with the flashes and night sweats to the point where I have to take something to sleep or else I get none and my poor husband has to put up with me, throwing the covers off one minute and then pulling them back up.  He really is a saint and I have to tell you one more funny thing – I had some complications after my surgery (stitches came loose and kept bleeding) anyway, at my 6 week check up the dr. told me to refrain from sex for two additional weeks!!  I told her (seriously) I am going to need a note because my husband has been counting down the days and he is not going to believe me!!  She laughed, but she did write a note and Scott thought it was so funny that he kept it – I think he may frame it!!

      Sorry this is so long, I guess I just needed to vent, it feels great to be on a site with only women, my age and going through the same stuff pretty much.
      He really is a saint and I have to tell you one more funny thing – I had some complications after my surgery (stitches came loose and kept bleeding) anyway, at my 6 week check up the dr. told me to refrain from sex for two additional weeks!!  I told her (seriously) I am going to need a note because my husband has been counting down the days and he is not going to believe me!!  She laughed, but she did write a note and Scott thought it was so funny that he kept it – I think he may frame it!!

      Sorry this is so long, I guess I just needed to vent, it feels great to be on a site with only women, my age and going through the same stuff pretty much.  I am happy that I had it done and that I don’t have to worry about wearing certain clothes, ruining panties  – I celebrated afterwards by buying all new undies from Victoria Secret and I do a little genuflect in the tampon aisle when I go grocery shopping!!  As for menopause, or whatever this is I guess I will just deal – I have started taking Black Cohosh again because it was working and my dr. said it was okay – any other tips or advice??
      thanks for listening (reading) to me ramble!!  I feel better now!!
      take care my new friends!
      Sherri, in Wisconsin


        • ralanthar wrote Sep 25, 2008

        • I had my surgery July 10th – and I would recommend the

          http://www.davincisurgery.com/

          the recovery time was amazing!!!  

          The side effects are hot flashes and instant menopause.  

          I would do it over again just to be free of the constant  pain I was in and fatigue of the endometriosis.  

          I did the same happy dance in the same aisle though!!!

          Slainte
          Ral


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        • sherri64 wrote Sep 25, 2008

        • I have heard about the davinci but don’t know a whole lot about it – I had a laparospic (sp?) surgery and I felt pretty good by the second week, which is probably what caused my complications – feeling better usually = doing too much!!  But like you said, it was all worth it – my poor cousin tried the ablation first and said it was very painful and did not work – now she is going the hyster route – my doc gave me a choice and I did not want to take the chance, I just wanted it all to end!!  You know, I had my tubes tied 17 yrs ago – absolutely no reason for me to keep having my damn period!  I figured it out and I dealt with that crap for 33 yrs – long enough!  

          By the way, I don’t know what I did to screw up my post, I apologize for the duplication at the end????  Blame it on me being a newbie – I tried to find a way to edit it after, but I guess you can’t do that once it is posted?


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        • maryclark wrote Sep 25, 2008

        • Your story is my story.  I just went a week ago to have my ob/gyn checkup.  Had a complete hormonal workup…and on paper…it says my hormones are fine…but my body says something else.  I had a hysterectomy 11 years ago at age 33.  Best surgery ever.  Still have my ovaries…but my dr. believes that I am going through something.  I dont have really night sweats…but I am constantly taking the covers on and off.  Almost lost it in a training class…was about to burst into tears…when normally I would have just been pissed off.  Very out of character for me.  I’ve been edgy and basically a little bit of a “bitch“.  So…...with all of that said….I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM….AND IT AINT’ FUN.  

          Anyway….for now…I just deal with it the best I can.  I’m not on anything….YET…but for now…just trying to be nice to everyone.


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        • bananawind50 wrote Sep 25, 2008

        • Been there…done that. Had my surgery in April of 2007 and the worse thing is the night sweats, I feel like my blood’s boiling under my skin. My husband says I burn him up generating heat at night. I have done much better with my mood swings since surgery. I love not paying the “monthly bill” but to be honest, I went to a military hospital and no one really told me what to expect afterwards. Im learning as I go. But yes, you are not alone!!!!Chin up


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        • becca wrote Sep 25, 2008

        • My story is a bit different. I had a complete hysterectomy in 2005 due to cervical cancer. I lost everything -uterus, cervix, overaries – it all… I am on Premerin now to suppliment my hormones that would have been made by my ovaries.  

          I tried to go cold turkey and not take any medications, but I ended up getting the most terrible migraine headaches that wouldn’t last a day, but days and sometimes up to a week.  It didn’t take long to change my mind to take the Premerin..lol

          I do recommend a really good site that is for anyone who is going to get a hysterectomy, had one or has questions about one.  Hyster Sisters – it is at www.hystersisters.com
          It is a really informative forum that may answer some of your questions.


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        • iidlyyckma wrote Sep 25, 2008

        • It would make sense given your age that you would be perimenopausal after your hysterectomy.  Perimenopause is worse than menopause itself.  The reason being is that once you are menopausal the side effects of working up to menopause have since subsided.

          Perimenopause (Also called climacteric.) is the transition period of time before menopause, marked by a decreased production of estrogen and progesterone, irregular menstrual periods, and transitory psychological changes.

          It’s the time when we have horrible hot flashes (I stand in the door way of the freezer with my shirt off a lot!) Our breasts can be tender, PMS can become even more wicked, our sex drive can go to the toilet, exhaustion can set in, our periods become wonky, our vagina’s feel like the Saharah Desert, and sex can begin to hurt now, we will find that Astroglide is our best friend.  We can leak urine when we cough, sneeze, or dance,or feel like we have to pee a lot, the mood swings stink, and insomnia sets in.

          Oh and unless you have had a hysteretcomy you can conceive during this time, isn’t that nice?

          So when you resume sex, TAKE YOUR TIME, if you drink, have a bottle of wine, lots of foreplay, don’t rush it, use astroglide and let us know how it goes:)


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        • maryclark wrote Sep 25, 2008

        • LOL…iidlyyckma…..very funny…but true…

          Gosh…isn’t life grand!!!!


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        • iidlyyckma wrote Sep 26, 2008

        • Oh the other thing I forgot (ha ha) during perimenopause we can become foggy brained, forget the word we are trying to say, etc…all normal they tell me.  

          I thought for sure that I was beginning the first stages of Dementia or something but my OBGYN said NOPE—perimenopause all hormonal.

          Lovely eh?


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        • sherri64 wrote Sep 27, 2008

        • You are right Becca – hystersisters.com is a great site – I found it AFTER my hyster, wish I knew about it before – but it has great info and lots of supportive members.

          iidlyyckma – you are very funny, yes, I remember having sex for the first time after – wow was i scared – but it all turned out okay happy

          You are all great and I enjoy reading your comments and advice alot!!!  thanks everyone!


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        • leadinladytracy wrote 16 days ago

        • Hi Ladies

          Has anyone ever tried New Phase for their symptomns? It’s in the vitamin aisle in a pretty lavender and pink box. I have taken it for 5 years and it has reduced my night sweats to a minimum. It may helps some of you.

          I am having a hysterectomy on Monday 11/17 and it cannot come soon enough. I have fibroids and the pain is ridiculous. This week I just got vicadin from my doctor because the pain is affecting the nerves in my thighs. Is this crazy or what?

          Anyway, 11/17 at 1:00 -FREEDOM!

          Tracy B. Green, CCLC
          POISE Christian Life Coaching, LLC
          http://poiselifecoaching.com/


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        • mrslorid wrote 16 days ago

        • I had a full hyster at 32, I was very sick and didn’t have a choice.  I went into menopause by the 2nd year, at 34.  I was on the synthetic hormones, but when all the breast cancer research came out I stopped immediately.

          Since I quit the hormones, my life is pretty normal.  I feel good, I have energy, my libido is probably a little lower, but no much.  The hot flashes stopped pretty much.  I have about 1 or 2 a month.  

          This was my choice though, not necessarily right for everyone. I am so glad to not have a period every month, WHEW it is heaven.

          “Your genuine action will explain itself, and will explain your other genuine actions.  Your conformity explains nothing.  The force of character is cumulative”   Ralph Waldo Emerson


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