I'll be having my ovary removed at the end of this month, 7 years after a hysterectomy due to endometriosis. I'm in my mid 30s, had cancer at a young age and hysterectomy with remaining right ovary in my twenties.I was looking forward to what I thought would be relief from constant hormone uproar but now I'm so scared I'm headed into a life of more pain and discomfort than what I already deal with, let alone how expensive all the OTC menopause management is!: The gyn put me on the highest dose estrogen patch a month before surgery so I could adjust, and within 4 days I was having hot flashes, night sweats, my vagina swelled up so bad it bruised and tore, got a yeast infection, and my moods were so bad I thought I'd have to sleep in the car so I didn't snap at anyone. After calling in tears because of pain they suggested I stop the patch and start again two weeks before surgery. I have a meeting with the hormone specialist tomorrow and depending on my options (there's no way I can do this again and then have surgery) I'm considering backing out of surgery if this is what being on estrogen is like. Is this what everyone is experiencing all day every day? Is it just constant vagina upkeep, pain, and hormonal hell? Does it get better? I don't know what to do, if I keep the ovary (it's been hemmoraging/ Ovulateing every month causing pain and complications so they want to take it out due to cancer risks) has been awful, but if this is what life will be like after surgery I don't know if I can go through with it. Please help if you have experience, I'm feeling lost and alone

Cross posted from R/menopause

I had my ovaries removed due to colon cancer metastasis. They put in an IUD for progesterone, and started an Estradiol patch right away at .1mg 2x/week. For the first 6 weeks or so, I felt honestly pretty the same. But the past 3 weeks, I’ve had knee pain and hip stiffness, I’ve felt more impatient and a bit foggy, had some crying jags, almost a GERD feeling in my throat, intermittent night sweats…

Also, I’m getting irritated skin now from the patches, which is really annoying. I called and the nurse said to change the patches every 3 days (so I don’t have that Wednesday/Saturday thing), but the next available appointment is on February. Ugh. Not to mention that glue is a bear to get off.

I wish they had taken my levels prior to surgery so I could have known my baseline. Any advice on who else I should see or next steps? This is all so new, and at 37 I don’t want my bones and brain to start declining. Surgical menopause sucks!

Just have to say thank you for this community. It has helped to read and read and learn from you all!

I had a hysterectomy with oophorectomy 3 weeks ago. I am in my 50s but was in perimenopause only and both ovaries that were removed appeared to still be active. I am now on 0.1 patch dose of estrogen. I am hoping my doc will do some estrogen testing when I go in for my 6 week follow up.

My question is, how many of you in a similar circumstance (hadn't hit meno prior to oophorectomy) felt like 0.1 was a good estrogen dose? What was the "best' dose you settled on? I am just curious as I feel as though I've had some mild meno symptoms and haven't ever had them before (temperature dysregulation, and some joint stiffness), and I'm wondering how unusual it might be for me to ask for more than the 0.1 dose when I go in for my follow up. My doc had described the dose choices to me with this being the "highest".

Fatigue

7 weeks post op and the fatigue & joint pain that came with not only healing and my connective tissue disease, but surgical menopause is kicking my butt. I’m talking my menopause supplements & collagen, upping my protein, and getting in my electrolytes. I’m currently waiting on doc to call in my estrogen. Any advice to anything else I might can do??

I am literally exhausted by noon these days.

Hey all, I am about 8 mpo and still trying to figure this out. Current only on 2.5 mg of the estradiol gel. I’m trying to find a happy normal.

I have rashes in various places but not all at once and not all of the time. For example, top of my hand (has a tattoo) and the outside forearm. Inside of leg has the rash as does neck area. I think some of it is a heat rash even though it’s only 54° .

I’m not sure if I should add something else to this like progesterone or what. I don’t know how to fix this. Plus my hair is so flipping thin! This cannot be my new normal. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I went into surgical menopause July 1st, I just had my levels ran as I feel I am a bit low on estrogen. My level is 65 pg/ml. I am on 2mg oral estradiol daily (which my dr says if the “highest” dose he can give?) he also admits he is not that hormone savvy. I feel much better than pre hysto but I am still having low e symptoms I feel. Any advice? Does anyone take a higher dose. I am 44, everything removed due to ovarian failure, ademomyosis, fibroids, enlarged uterus.

Anyone else’s vision sharpness decrease? Is this a common result after surgery? I’m 48.

I’m bummed.

I’m a year out from my hysterectomy. All parts are gone. :) My voice is different. I have noticed it for several months now but just read about it in another menopause group. I never thought about it being menopause related! My voice is slightly higher and sounds kind of strained. It’s like I’m getting a cold, but I’m not. It’s like when older people’s voice starts to sound weak. Has this happened to anyone else? It’s odd. Maybe it’s ok and just different? My throat is always a little sore now too though. Weak vocal muscles? Atrophy? What?!

Like the title says. If you were trying a higher dose of estrogen. Did you have an increase of hot flashes, or tingling all over/temperature regulation ect while adjusting for weeks on the new dose of estrogen? If you had a temporary increase in these symptoms please let me know and how long that lasted before those symptoms leveled out.

And/or can you get an increase in UTIs or the crawling sensation when you are on too much estrogen? Just like being on too low of a dose?

Thank you!

I think but I’m not sure. I’m wondering if I’m going through surgical menopause. On 11-5-24 I had a total hysterectomy and both ovaries removed. On 11/8/24after I left the hospital I started my estradiol patch. Not I’m not sure if there were signs before today because I often miss things that are symptoms until they get really bad. Today 11-11-24 almost a week post opt I’ve been getting really flustered and lightheaded and tired. Then this afternoon around noonish i started having these bad mood swings of being either scared and anxious and having panic attacks or feeling really sad and just crying. Small things trigger this. Then after awhile I’ll get really tired and go to sleep. I’ll awake up feel okay for a little bit then the mood swings start again and then eventually get tired a sleep. Is this all because of the surgery? Is this just a low estrogen issue? Has anyone dealt with this? I have left a message with my doctor, and so I’m waiting. But would love insight from ladies with experience in this.

Hey!

Has anyone experienced insomnia post covid?

Normally a small amount of Progesterone 25mg, will knock me out for 8-9 hours. Now it's not working at all.

I even increased it to 100mg and no change in my ability to sleep, plus the added bonus of my P sensitivity issues like depression and grogginess.

Not sure if this is a temporary thing that will balance out, or if I need to look at something else.

Hoping others have gone through this and can offer some advice. Thanks!

Has anyone else years post op, on estradiol patch, find that you've needed to decrease estradiol?

Hello. I (35f) am scheduled for a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy in 2 weeks due to a borderline malignant cyst. The cyst has already been removed, so it is my understanding this procedure is purely preventative at this point. I had my other ovary removed about 5 years ago, so this will put me into surgical menopause. Not sure if I will be able to take HRT at this time. I have an appt to discuss this surgery with my Gyn Onc next week. What questions did you wish you asked your doctor and/or what questions did you ask that were invaluable to your decision to have the surgery? Right now I’m very much on the fence due to my age and the fact the cyst has already been removed, but I want to make sure I ask all the questions so I can make the most informed decision. Thank you.

How long does everyone take for their hormones to rebalance after an illness? Physically I am feeling better, mentally and emotionally I am still on a wild ride from my hormones flucuation. Felt so good before getting a flu/covid and being sick in bed with a fever for a few days.

Definitely sewing some improvements but no where near pre-illness 3 weeks out

I am having a hysterectomy done. I was told I could leave an ovary or remove them. I have talked to 8-10 woman and they all had their ovaries removed and none of them with the exception to 1 is taking HRT. 3 of them are more than 3 years post op and they basically said to stay active and eat healthy and that they have never felt better. The others basically the same thing they are just under 3 years post op.

Back Story, I had cervical cancer cells removed at age 16 by laser. I have had no issue resulting from this. I have had cyst my whole life on my ovaries and cervix. Usually had one burst every two to three years, as I got older they got further apart. Until a few years ago then it was about twice a year and in the last year I had 4 burst the last one ( on the ovary) put me to my knees and was by far the most painful. My Doc had an vaginal ultrasound done which resulted in extensive cyst in my cervix and ovary regions. He sent me to the GYN. After arriving I was told that we would talk about the cyst after my biopsy was done. I was a little taken back because I wasn't aware I needed one. So, I went back for the biopsy (extremely unprepared for that pain) and the results were that two samples came back okay and one with signs of malignancy with the polyp detection. So now I am schedule for the Hysterectomy next week. So I don't know what to do about the ovaries. Leave them or take them.

My Doc told me I was in Peri-Meno back in Jan 2020. From them on the only symptoms were periods would go and come, some would last longer than my normal 3 day and insomnia. I have always been pretty healthy, very active, outside a lot person. I get over illnesses pretty quickly and fairly easily. I do 14 mile Kayak trips, I still hike up mountains with my daughter, I garden and tend to chickens everyday. I build potting sheds, garden beds and chicken coops. I walk and weed whack my entire 2 acre property. I am not lazy. Constantly on the go. I am sure this is just coincidental but since that Biopsy, I have had joint/muscle pain, weakness in the arms, very tired and lack energy. I went to the beach yesterday, was there walking up and down for about 3hrs and I am so sore, like I ran a marathon. That is just not me. ( Doc did schedule me with a Rheumatologist due to my ANA test coming back with MCTD)

Has anyone else similar to me and have had the Hyst and ovaries out and not done HRT? And been okay? I am worried that if my joint/muscle pain is coming from something to do with the MCTD should I leave an ovary?

I’m looking for tips to help with my bad mood swings. I’m on Zoloft for depression, buspar for anxiety plus my estrogen patches. With all that I’m still having bad mood swings

I had bilateral ovary removal in January and just now started topical estrogen for vaginal itching.

The itching has been going on for many months and I wasn’t able to treat it with topical estrogen until now.

Still itching - a little bit less but still annoying. Is this itching permanent? Did I wait too long to treat it? Feeling lost and sad. And itchy.

Hey guys!

I had extensive endometriosis excision and ovary removal 2.5 weeks ago.

My pain dissolved to only a 1/10 three days after surgery. Yay!

Then out of nowhere, two days ago I began having a brand new pelvic pain 7/10 just left of pelvic center.

Should I be worried?

I'm 40 and was thrown into menopause after a total hysterectomy with oophorectomy back in September. Final pathology came back as Stage 1B Grade 2 Endometrial cancer. I just finished brachytherapy radiation yesterday. This whole thing has been wild...to say the least. Now it's night sweats and hot flashes all night long, interrupted sleep and end up getting up and coming to the living room in the middle of the night so my husband isn't woken up. No sex is really getting to me and won't be able to try again for another month at least. Hubby and I are doing other things but it's not the same. I'm wondering if this is making him look at me different or is it just the menopause making me paranoid? He seems attracted to me but seems more moody the last few days.

For context . I just turned 40 diagnosed with BraC1 . The oncologist told me that I just need to get everything removed. I have not mourned over losing that part of me . I am schedule in 2 ½ weeks . I am just not ready . I am really worried about hormones. I honestly wished I never found out . I don’t have any gyno problems , so this seems so drastic and off putting to get everything removed. I have had 6 children given birth . Everything I read here is not comforting, everyone has problems. I hope there is some hope that it’s not that bad.

Had my total hysterectomy wIth BSOO, 7 months ago. No children, through choice.

I've been on 2 pumps of Oestrogel now for about 3 months. I didn't have any symptoms but was advised to go on HRT, which is fine. Menopause consultant said I don't need to test oestrogen levels.

My hip and coccyx inflammation has been very noticeable the last few weeks. Despite swimming twice a week and walking long distance twice a week, nothing seems to be budging it (even got a new mattress).

Has anyone upped their dose to 3 or 4, and found it made a massive difference with pelvic/hip/coccyx plain?

Hello!

I was prescribed estrogel and would love to know how you apply it. I have a 4 month baby so I am afraid to transfer it. How do you apply it / when? Do you use gloves? Thanks a lot!!

… what did I do wrong that I had to work so hard to get it from her? I was under the impression that it’s pretty standard protocol for post surgical menopause care.

She said try using Aquaphor all of those months and I so got the spray Aquaphor but It did nothing even though I used it a lot it wore off the first half an hour of the day.

Now that I finally have estrogen vaginal lotion it’s such a relief. So much less itching. Whew my poor vagina. I’m in the US.

Am I alone here? Why is everything with my docs so hard? I also had to beg for testosterone and now she’s angry because I stopped it because I was having cystic acne that has gotten really painful because of it. She wants me to just keep going even though the acne is on my forehead and it’s also driving me crazy.

I’m so confused. And tired.

I am seeking out other people who have had similar experiences as mine. I was diagnosed with Borderline Ovarian Tumors on both of my ovaries in October 2023. I am 28 and I have one ovary left which is scheduled to be removed soon. I am scared, sad and confused. I feel alone, I feel like there isn’t a lot of research and I am having such a hard time deciding what the right decision for me is.

In March 2024, I got my left ovary and fallopian tube removed because of certain characteristics on the tumor. My doctor attempted to preserve my right ovary by taking just the tumor itself out.

In July 2024, I had an MRI which shows the tumor came back on my right ovary measuring 2.9 x 1.5 cm

Just recently, in October 2024, the tumor increased to 4.0 x 2.8 cm

I am scheduled to have my right ovary removed in two weeks which will send me into surgical menopause. From my understanding, if I don’t get the ovary removed, the tumor can get larger and cause problems and could potentially spread to surrounding areas of my body. But this isn’t a definitive result of keeping the tumor, just a potential threat. On the other hand, going into menopause this early can also be life altering as well. Either way, it seems like both options aren’t great.

I am nervous that I am not making the right choice, but I’m not sure that there necessarily is one. I just want to reach out and see if there is anybody who is going through similar things or has already been through it. I’d love to explore healthy coping mechanisms to help me get through this. Any words or encouragement, or if you can relate, please feel free to comment 🧡

Hi I am a year post op (total hysterectomy) and am experiencing severe vision issues (gritty eyes, blurred vision, sensitivity to light/ screens, eye pain). I am also experiencing massive heart palpitations. I am not on HRT. Has anyone experienced this and what worked for you?

I'm 2 wpo from a supracervical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Had my 2 week check up and my gyno started me on 0.0375 transdermal estrogen patches. I noticed a slight decrease on hot flashes and night sweats, and a huge increase in crying profusely at the drop of a hat. Please tell me I'm not going crazy! Does this get better? Do I just need to adjust the estrogen or something?I had everything removed to help get rid of my PMDD hell, I don't want to enter another one where there's no way out!

I had a hysterectomy in January. I was 52 but still having regular periods. I can’t take HRT because of endometrial cancer (yes, I know some people that have had endometrial cancer can take it but my oncologist said it was a last resort). I was wondering if anyone under 65 was successful in getting a DEXA scan. I figure if I can’t have HRT, I should monitor my bone density. I am seeing my PCP next month so I wanted to know how realistic it would be to ask. Thanks!

I’ve been diagnosed with atypical serous borderline tumors on both ovaries and have spoken with 2 male gynecologis/oncologists who both recommend that I have a total hysterectomy to remove any chance of the tumors spreading. They’ve both told me that there’s a fairly low chance of the tumors behaving in a malignant fashion, and everything I’ve read seems to indicate that these tumors are unlikely to spread, but that they will likely continue to grow larger. I’m not experiencing any pain, and my periods are longer and more heavy since my diagnostic surgery, but overall I’m in good mental and physical health. The information as to why I should have them removed is because IF they Do spread, and they aren’t benign, that they don’t respond well to chemo.

I guess I can’t understand why they recommend removal of both ovaries due to the relatively benign nature of these tumors and I don’t want to have an unnecessary surgery that would require me to be on hrt (which, as I’m learning through Reddit, ISNT a one size fits all deal, as these doctors seem to express). I’m 41, and I just can’t tell whether this surgery is necessary, and would love to hear from other women who were diagnosed with this condition and whether or not they elected to have surgery?