Partial hysterectomy and menopause

Hi

I had a partial hysterectomy (uterus only removed, cervix, fallopean tubes and ovaries left in situ) in 2011 when I was 41. I don't have periods, but I do occasionally get a small amount of menstrual blood from my cervix when I would normally be menstruating. I was told to expect this and it's perfectly normal.

I've just been diagnosed with a type of breast cancer only found in post menopausal women. I have had no menopause symptoms whatsoever - no hot flushes, no mood swings and no vaginal dryness. I'm also still getting ovulation pain, change in vaginal secretion linked to ovulation and some acne two weeks later. My GP says I must have gone through menopause and not noticed it. Is that really possible? He also said there's no blood test available that would confirm it. I know this isn't true because my former GP gave me a blood test in late 2015 and the results said I wasn't even peri-menopausal. I'm now 48 and on average, my family go into menopause in their early 50s. Any advice gratefully received, thank you.

I had a partial hysterectomy 2 yrs ago I'm 46. Now I'm getting hot flashes at night everyone thinks I'm crazy cuz I'm hot and there saying it's perfect tempature? What should or can I do ?

Thanks for the information.
I had a partial hysterectomy in 2006, (I'm now 46) I still have my ovaries and falopan tubes, what would I expect and when could it possibly occur when it comes to menopause, thank you

Hello mom2mba,

Thank you for your question. In a subtotal or partial hysterectomy, only the uterus is removed.

With your ovaries intact, you will experience the symptoms of perimenopause like every other woman.

For women who undergo partial hysterectomies excluding the removal of one or both ovaries, early onset of menopause is unlikely to occur, since they continue to produce estrogen. Even though they won't menstruate any more, they will typically enter menopause in the same age range as women who have not had a hysterectomy, although some studies show that those who have undergone partial hysterectomies face menopause about two years earlier than the average for women at large.

Of course, not every woman who experiences severe menopause symptoms and some who have a partial hysterectomy might not notice any fluctuations in mood or temperature at all.

Generally, a woman is said to have reached menopause once she has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. In your case, your gynecologist can order blood tests to check estrogen levels to determine when you have reached menopause.

Regards,
Maryann