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I am so confused :(
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heyitsme224 posted:
I am 52 years old and was told by my family Doctor, after some blood work, that I am menopausal. I had my ovaries and uterus removed about 15 years ago and have been on hormone replacement ever since. Didn't I go through menopause after surgery? Or did the hormone replacement prevent it? I have all the symptoms now and my mind feels "discombobulated"
. I have a checkup in a few weeks and will discuss this with my Dr. I was hoping someone on here could educated me beforehand, I feel silly not knowing this.
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:I am so confused :(I am 52 years old and was told by my family Doctor, after some blood work, that I am menopausal. I had my ovaries and uterus removed about 15 years ago and have been on hormone replacement ever since. Didn't I go through menopause after surgery? Or did the hormone replacement prevent it? I have all the symptoms now and my mind feels "discombobulated"<br />. I have a checkup in a few weeks and will discuss this with my Dr. I was hoping someone on here could educated me beforehand, I feel silly not knowing this.
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Mary Jane Minkin, MD responded:
Dear heyitsme224,
A lot of these terms are confusing. Once ovaries are removed (or if a woman with a uterus and ovaries goes a full year without a period) she is considered fully menopausal, or some folks use the term postmenopausal; and we stay in that state basically forever. As you were given hormone therapy, that kept you from developing symptoms; when the therapy is stopped, some women do get symptoms back, some don't. Indeed about 15%of women continue to get hot flashes even 10 years after ovaries are removed (or they go through menopause) Now if you are currently off the hormones and are having symptoms, you can go back on therapy; and perhaps a lower dose might work. Or you can consider some of the non hormonal options that we've been discussing.
Good luck,
Mary Jane
Report This| Share this:I am so confused :(Dear heyitsme224,<br />A lot of these terms are confusing. Once ovaries are removed (or if a woman with a uterus and ovaries goes a full year without a period) she is considered fully menopausal, or some folks use the term postmenopausal; and we stay in that state basically forever. As you were given hormone therapy, that kept you from developing symptoms; when the therapy is stopped, some women do get symptoms back, some don't. Indeed about 15%of women continue to get hot flashes even 10 years after ovaries are removed (or they go through menopause) Now if you are currently off the hormones and are having symptoms, you can go back on therapy; and perhaps a lower dose might work. Or you can consider some of the non hormonal options that we've been discussing.<br />Good luck,<br />Mary Jane
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Mary Jane Minkin, MD, is a nationally recognized obstetrician gynecologist, with a special interest in menopause. Dr. Minkin is clinical professor of ...More

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