I had my hysterectomy in 2004, after a LONG time of NOT getting my period, pain, weight gain, weight loss, weight gain (again), and then finally pain during sex. That was the LAST thing that I needed. I was finally diagnosed with PCOS, and endometriosis, to the point that if not treated, it could've killed me. It's kind of ironic, that the one thing that you're supposed to take care of like a temple, is the one thing that will kill you, with no remorse, no feelings of guilt. That was 12 years ago, AND STILL experiencing hot flashes at the most inopportune times, like during church, ( which is kind of funny, because it feels like the flames of Hell are comin' to get chya). I WANT the answers to help lose the weight, not have hot flashes, BUT the cures are almost too expensive to even start. To the YOUNGER women, who think they need to be moms, or want to experience childbirth, etc, ask yourself this: What's the worst that could happen? I don't have kids, is this the end of my existence? I don't think so. I know deep, deep in my heart that motherhood wasn't in the cards for me. I've accepted that after a number of years before and after "liberation" (hysterectomy). My faith and family has been SO VERY crucial in this process. Please, don't refuse their help, counsel, or whatever THEY FEEL they need to give you, OR you're willing to accept at that moment. I feel grateful EVERY day that I don't feel excruciating agony, or that a pregnancy test is gonna let me down...again. You're ALIVE. Maybe in a different way than what you expected.