Windyblaze
09-04-2005, 03:44 AM
I am so glad that I found this board! I am almost 50, and in perimenopause. I am scheduled for a hysterectomy on Sept 13. I have hyperplasia. My doctor wants to take my ovaries also. I am having a hard time with this! I think I'll be able to handle "Instant Menopause", but I am worried that I'll never enjoy sex again...........I have read that some women can't climax anymore after surgery, because the ovaries are responsible for sexual desire and response. I am a very young 50......I don't think I want to give up my sex life so soon. I am feeling like after everything is gone, I'll just become an old woman. Am I just being paraniod? Please tell me that this doesn't happen!
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SandraM
09-04-2005, 01:40 PM
My drive isn't as high as it was before the menopause started. I was 42 when I started into menopause. But my drive might be lower as well since I have thyroid disease and some other problems, plus I'm sure the medications I take don't help that situation either. The thyroid has a lot to do with controling the hormones. More then likely your drive won't completely diminish for a while yet if you are healthy.
If you have ovarian cancer in the family, then its best to have the ovarys removed.
Good luck with the operation. :)
Sandra
If you have ovarian cancer in the family, then its best to have the ovarys removed.
Good luck with the operation. :)
Sandra
Windyblaze
09-04-2005, 04:17 PM
Thanks for your response. I also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and am a Type 1 Diabetic. I guess I'm a hormonal train wreck. But I haven't noticed any decrease in libido. I'm just wondering if the loss of my ovaries is going to create havoc. There is no history of ovarian cancer in my family, but my family doctor told me that in all the cases she has dealt with, most did not have a family history. My gyn doctor told me that since I am so close to menopause, that she wanted to take them now, rather that have to go back and remove them at a later date. She said it was a choice that I had to make, but I think she really wants to remove them now. I have since heard horror stories from some women who have had this done, and now I am wondering what I should do. My mother and one of my sisters have had hysterectomies, but their ovaries were left, and they went through menopause naturally. The problem I have is with uterine hyperplasia, but I have had cysts on my ovaries from time to time. My family doctor says that having ovarian cysts is not a reason to remove them. I'm so confused....
SandraM
09-04-2005, 11:11 PM
I did have my ovarys removed when I was 43. They were doing a scan on my kidneys and found the cyst on my ovary. So they told me they wanted to remove the cyst but I said I wanted them out since I was already into the menopause at that time.
Now that puts a different light on things since you have a thyroid disorder like myself. The thyroid is what controls the hormones. So even if you did or didn't have the ovarys removed, very possible you might get a change in the sex drive due to the thyroid issue. Are you taking any meds for the thyroid?
Sandra
Now that puts a different light on things since you have a thyroid disorder like myself. The thyroid is what controls the hormones. So even if you did or didn't have the ovarys removed, very possible you might get a change in the sex drive due to the thyroid issue. Are you taking any meds for the thyroid?
Sandra
Windyblaze
09-04-2005, 11:50 PM
Yes, I am on Synthroid. I have been on it for years, and 4 years ago, everything went crazy. My thyroid levels were very low, and my doctor (an endocrinologist) increased my dose, gradually, until I was up to 3.5 mgs a day. I stayed at that high dose for a year or so, and now, she has me taking 3 mg. monday through thursday, and 1.5 mg friday, saturday, and sunday. Sometimes I wonder if this very high dose of synthroid might be the cause of my uterine problems. I am dealing with 4 different doctors, and they all seem to have a different opinion about things. I just hate this! I NEVER had problems like this before........periods were always regular, like clockwork. I have been attributing my screwed up cycles to perimenopause, but last month a uterine biopsy showed hyperplasia, hence my impending surgery. I'm feeling like I need a second opinion before I do anything. Right now, I am taking Megace (sp?) to help control the bleeding. It seems to be helping, but it's also causing my blood sugar to rise. I am on insulin, and this is making it a real challenge to keep it in check. At times, I feel like a science experiment! :eek:
SandraM
09-05-2005, 12:01 AM
You sound like a handful with different Drs. like me. I have been taking 3 of .075 MG of synthroid a day. I have been on the thyroid meds since 1985. As I said I went into peri when I was 42 and ovarys removed at 43. I had a partial at age 35 but they left ovarys then.
I also have hypoparathyroidism, kidney failure, hypocalcemia and arthritis. I am 49 now, but didn't notice a big change with my sex drive till the past 2 years. But then again, I also have a hard time with depression and PTSD (post trauma stress disorder). So with this whole picture with my problems, no wonder I have a low sex drive.
Sandra
I also have hypoparathyroidism, kidney failure, hypocalcemia and arthritis. I am 49 now, but didn't notice a big change with my sex drive till the past 2 years. But then again, I also have a hard time with depression and PTSD (post trauma stress disorder). So with this whole picture with my problems, no wonder I have a low sex drive.
Sandra
LINDA505
09-08-2005, 12:49 PM
windyblaze.. I am curious why your doctor wants to do a hysterectomy for the hyperplasia. I am post menopausal for 5 yrs and started with PMS, sore breasts and all the whole nine yards in June and I started to spot. 34 days later the same thing happened and spotted again. I am also Hypothyroid and had not taken my meds correctly for several months. I had an endometrial BX which showed mild disordered
proliferative endometrium. The Gyn said that my uterus was in a stage like it would be
if I still had my period. The transvaginal Us showed my endometrail stripe was thickened to 8mm. Now I have to have a D & C and Hystercopy. I had no heavy bleeding only minimal spotting for one or two days each time. I am so confused by this.
I am 53 and started to go through peri-menopause at 41. Coincidentally the same time I was diagnosised with Hypothyroid. Since June I have not had any hot flashes. I have had hot flashes daily since 5 yrs ago. I have been under extreme stress and anxiety for at least 5 yrs. JOb loss, illness in family, death, moved to another state. The Gyn
at first said I was too young to have gone into menopause but now it seems that I
can not get her to really say anything except it is not normal to have postmenopausal
bleeding or spotting. Why did they do a BX on You.? Were you bleeding heavy? Are you still getting your period? If anyone has any insight on our problems it would be helpful. If I were you I would get another opinion for your surgery. I was told that you
could take medication for the hyperplasia. Also the Gyn told me that if you had a neg.
bx it did not mean it could be negative throughout the uterus. I found that very
comforting!!!!!NOT
proliferative endometrium. The Gyn said that my uterus was in a stage like it would be
if I still had my period. The transvaginal Us showed my endometrail stripe was thickened to 8mm. Now I have to have a D & C and Hystercopy. I had no heavy bleeding only minimal spotting for one or two days each time. I am so confused by this.
I am 53 and started to go through peri-menopause at 41. Coincidentally the same time I was diagnosised with Hypothyroid. Since June I have not had any hot flashes. I have had hot flashes daily since 5 yrs ago. I have been under extreme stress and anxiety for at least 5 yrs. JOb loss, illness in family, death, moved to another state. The Gyn
at first said I was too young to have gone into menopause but now it seems that I
can not get her to really say anything except it is not normal to have postmenopausal
bleeding or spotting. Why did they do a BX on You.? Were you bleeding heavy? Are you still getting your period? If anyone has any insight on our problems it would be helpful. If I were you I would get another opinion for your surgery. I was told that you
could take medication for the hyperplasia. Also the Gyn told me that if you had a neg.
bx it did not mean it could be negative throughout the uterus. I found that very
comforting!!!!!NOT
Josie115
09-11-2005, 09:23 AM
Ladies..I can share my experience in regards to hyst/hormones/thyroid/diabetes etc. but realize that everyone is different and each is unique. I was 50 when I had my hyst. Had abnormal bleeding (hadn't had a period in almost a yr.). My doc is great. She ordered a hormone test (many just brush off all the symptoms as menopausal). The labs indicated I was done..menapause ..shouldn't be bleeding..ordered an the transvag.ultrasound..thickened endo lining..not a great sign..ordered the uterine biopsy..grade 1 adenocarcinoma..ok..hyst. I've had type 2 diabetes for about 10-15 yrs. good control. Had been overweight for years..lost about 50-60 lbs. over the past 6-7 yrs.(good)..thyroid quit when I was 21..been on synthroid for a long time..on .2 forever but recently been able to decrease dose slowly down to .150 So..hyst or not? decreased libido? sex?? I think the extra weight stores alot of estrogen..endo ca. is usually the result of unopposed estrogen..if the uterine biopsy shows dysplasia..it's a sign to watch out for..the thyroid hormonal connection ?? who knows..I had already gone through the worst of the peri-menapause stuff..hot flashes, night sweats, etc. For me..the hyst was a no brainer and I was very lucky since it was staged 1a..early. Yahoo..I have to admit my desire for sex had already started to slow down a bit..I can also say that afterwards..sex was fine.. a bit uncomfortable at first, but that's fixable and yes..you can get to the big O although I have to admit it seems more like a smaller O...:)
I wouldn't risk anything turning into cancer. If anything, make sure you are comfortable with your doctor and if there is ANY reason to suspect cancer, see a gyn/oncologist..in fact I'd want to get that 2nd opinion from a gyn/onc. I don't see any real connection to thyroid problems..women who are overweight tend to have a much higher risk for endo cancer and usually if we are overweight we also have additional health risks..i.e. diabetes. It can all be managed. A hyst is an operation that is not without risks. If it were me..if they go in to do the hyst..have them take the ovaries as well. If you are young..and those ovaries are ok..and you have a ways to go before menapause, it's good to keep those hormones coming but often, they quit working anyway..with them out..one less thing to worry about.
It's true that a uterine biopsy can't tell the whole picture..only surgery and the surgical pathology will tell the whole picture. Take it seriously, but it sounds like you have time to make a good and informed decision. Get a 2nd opinion and know that life can be great without all that stuff in there! Good luck..
I wouldn't risk anything turning into cancer. If anything, make sure you are comfortable with your doctor and if there is ANY reason to suspect cancer, see a gyn/oncologist..in fact I'd want to get that 2nd opinion from a gyn/onc. I don't see any real connection to thyroid problems..women who are overweight tend to have a much higher risk for endo cancer and usually if we are overweight we also have additional health risks..i.e. diabetes. It can all be managed. A hyst is an operation that is not without risks. If it were me..if they go in to do the hyst..have them take the ovaries as well. If you are young..and those ovaries are ok..and you have a ways to go before menapause, it's good to keep those hormones coming but often, they quit working anyway..with them out..one less thing to worry about.
It's true that a uterine biopsy can't tell the whole picture..only surgery and the surgical pathology will tell the whole picture. Take it seriously, but it sounds like you have time to make a good and informed decision. Get a 2nd opinion and know that life can be great without all that stuff in there! Good luck..