Hysterectomy/menopause

I had a total 16 years ago. I was 30. Several people told me at the time that I would probably have to go through menopause twice. I'm not sure if this is ok, I hope so, but there is a website that might really help you find your answers. It's hystersisters dot com. It's all women that have had or are going through having a hysterectomy. Lots of great info there.

Menopause can take decades. I had my hysterectomy in my mid-30's and had menopause symptoms thru my late 50's.

Ain't life grand? 😂

I had a total hysterectomy almost 6 years ago at 52. I was told it was strongly advisable to take conjugated oestrogen only HRT to prevent surgical menopause. I’d imagined I’d have to just suffer it and was surprised at how strongly they advised I take HRT, considering my age at the time. I’d had no menopausal symptoms up to that point.

I’m still taking the tablets, though I’m very very slowly weaning myself off, I only take one every 5 or 6 days at the moment. Still had no symptoms, so I’m hoping I’ll maybe get away with it, if I continue to trail off the oestrogen very slowly!

Might be worth a trip to the doctor just to check everything is as expected. I’d be deeply affronted at the thought of going through it twice!

I had the surgery at 48. Horrible hot flushes and brain fog, slight weight gain, even when watching my intake and exercising, and sadness. I was put on estrogen only since progesterone was not needed (no uterus). Even with HRT I had post-menopausal symptoms although not very strong.

Few years later I stopped the estrogen on my own. Not a wise decision!!! My gyn told me not to do that ever again and put me back on the pill. Few years later I reduced the frequency to 3 times a week until I stopped it again (titrated the dose this time), a year ago. Symptoms returned, specially the brain fog. I lost my train of thoughts so any times that sometimes I felt that I was having a stroke. I couldn't even remember people's name even if they were in front of me.

My doctor recommended that I start the estrogen again 2 or 3 times a week. I feel much better now and I will continue with it until my brain stops working on its own. It seems that some women may be estrogen dependent, and I might be one of them.