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Do you regret having your ovaries removed?
Since getting a total hysterectomy four months ago for adenomyosis and endometriosis, I do feel better without my uterus. However, because I had been dealing with the awful genitourinary ups and downs of perimenopause for two years, I opted to go for ovarian removal and manage the symptoms using HRT. I didn't process how difficult these post-op months would be to get my HRT right. I move lighter now that my uterus is gone, can walk without needing a belly band, no longer feel like I'll prolapse and my skin stopped burning. But I have to say that my bladder and vagina miss my ovaries. Since surgery, I've been dumped into a genitourinary wasteland. I'm too dry for Vagifem, though I wish I wasn't because there are just a few ingredients in those little tablets. Imvexxy, which used to be enough, became insufficient, too, so we tried Intrarosa which for the first three weeks was glorious. Then I got irritable, hungry and sleepless and my vaginal skin turned red which I assumed was just irritation. A few weeks passed then I needed a small operation requiring an antiobiotic and my gyno said I have another yeast infection, making it two of those buggers post-op. Yeast infections look different without a cervix. It's only been four months so I know it can take a year to get the worst symptoms under control. Can anyone relate?
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When did you start hrt and what are you taking?
I started my post-op dose of topical Estradiol around Sept 26. I'm currently re-figuring out my vaginal estrogen and after this current yeast infection will go back to Imvexxy 2x/week and rub on coconut oil 1-2x/day and use Replens 1x/week. My gyno has recommended using pure mineral oil as an alternative to the coconut oil because mineral oil is a primary ingredient in my vaginal moisturizers. I was using compounded Estradiol and DHEA creams mostly externally up to the introitus but I need to simplify and be careful with them. My skin is sensitive to creams. My gyno has ordered a compounded topical testosterone cream for me to use behind my knees and on my wrists about 2x/week.
@gravity3 Please see my other comment. I was on the .100 patch but I was not absorbing it well enough based on my bloodwork so my gyno changed me to the gel. I'll be retested in a week or so.
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How old are you? Perimenopause or menopause?
77 1/2. Early no surgical menopause at 38. Hysterectomy 10 years ago.
@gravity3
Why did you have a hysterectomy?
@blueskies1530
Didn't see any need for keeping nonfunctional ovaries and uterus.
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Did you feel like you went through a second menopause after having your hysterectomy? My mother-in-law had a hysterectomy last year at 78 and started experiencing hot flashes again. Her last period was when she was 54.
@blueskies1530
No. I did not have any of the overt signs of men pause at 38 or many years after my hysterectomy. Unfortunately I one talked to me at 38 about the hidden symptoms of menopause like Osteoporosis, loss of libido, brain fog, difficulty maintaining muscle mass, etc. Were it not for the flawed women's health initiative study I might have been on hormones during the intervening years and my story might have been more positive.
@gravity3 The studies have been changing. I'm 49 and my mom is of the generation that is terrified of hormones. No one has told her that her bones might be healthier now had she have received estrogen. She's had several fractures over the years. My stepmom is on the Prolia shot due to bone pain and fragility. Both insist they didn't need the hormones but no one has told them. My mom at 72 still has hot flashes.
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