Surgery soon.......have questions!! - Hysterectomy Message Board

Windyblaze · 09-04-2005, 12:44 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!

SandraM · 09-04-2005, 10:40 AM

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

Windyblaze · 09-04-2005, 01:17 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, 08:11 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

Windyblaze · 09-04-2005, 08:50 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!