Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3785 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
I am a 46 year old female and feel I am now in full blow menapause. I had a hysterectomy in 1998 but still have my ovaries. I truely feel I am in menapause due to other symptoms beyond the ceasation of the menstral cycle. Mood swings which at times can be quite extreme. I am a very easy going person and not alot ruffles my feathers well until the last year. This has been getting increasingly worse. It is like a wave of emotion comes over me and I become either sad and immediatly start crying uncontrolably for no reason or I become so angry and in some case without anything to provoke it and if there is something it doesn't deserve the reaction I give it. I can't think clearly or concentrate as I could before I am frustrated with feeling this way and want to hide in a cave. I also have had night sweats on going for two years within the last six month it is becoming far worse and totally disrupting my sleep. Just last night I woke up a minimum of 10 times drenched from head to toe then would be freezing moments later. This is pretty much how it happens every time. I have started getting what I would call mini hot flashes. I am not getting the WAVE as people describe it but I am normally a very cold person. I have raynauds syndrom so heat and I are very good friends. The hotter the better in my eyes, but in the last six months I cannot think about sitting in our hot tub, anything over 70 degrees is dreadful. I where less clothing then ever before and still can't shake that hot feeling. I almost feel feverish at times, but my temp is normal at 97.8. I am looking for thoughts on tests to confirm and what options do I have to help with the symptoms. If this is just the start I want to nip it in the bud now before it becomes worse.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment4 Comments
I have now been on the estrogen patch for 30 days. I am feeling much better, the mood swings have subsided and the night sweats are much less or not as extreme. I still experience them but they are not as bad as they used to be. So far all is going great. The vaginal dryness and pain I was experiencing is also subsiding with the aid of a lubricant when needed. My sex drive has picked up again and I no longer fear the pain I was getting before. The Estrogen patch I am using is vivelle DOT. I change my patch twice weekly. I am not using any pregesterone in my HRT as I do not have my uterus and it is not necessary. I do hope my story helps someone else in their search for answers. I do not regret starting the patch at this point, however years ago this was offered to me and I declined until I was really in need of the help as long term estrogen use can be dangerous. Since I have been in perimenapause now for a few years as that is when my symptoms began although blood tests could not confirm this, the symptoms were enough to tell me something wasn't right, my hope is a few more years down the road I will be done with this and can cease taking the estrogen. My concern now is increased belly fat and I am watching this very carefully as well as my diet and sodium intake. I have a healthy heart now according to the Dr so I am hoping to keep it that way. I will let you know if anything changes in the future.
June 2, 2010 - 8:44amThis Comment
The blood tests showed normal levels however the nurse informed me that this is not unusual since they can fluxuate. Because I am symptomatic it was suggested I do an estrogen patch to help with the symptoms. I have read several articles that stated a woman who has a hysterectomy although ovaries are left can still see a decrease in estrogen production because the uterus and ovaries share their blood supply. This can cause a woman to enter into perimenapause earlier then normal. I will be picking up the prescription today and will let you know after a few weeks if it helps. I just wanted to briefly update you on this condition.
May 7, 2010 - 2:04pmThis Comment
MDR,
Thank you SO much for updating us. I'll be very interested to hear about your experience with the estrogen patch. I hope it works well for you and that you feel more like your old self very soon!
May 10, 2010 - 9:19amThis Comment
Thank you.
April 12, 2010 - 1:18pmI did call my OB/GYN office this am and talked in length to the nurse on staff and she too agreed it is very possible this is indeed what could be going on. She consulted with the Dr. who has ordered tests to check my hormone levels. Part of me is hoping this is it because if not I must be going crazy!.. not really but that is what it feels like somedays. She also felt my age was young however my family history says otherwise as both my Mom and my sister started into Menapause at 46 which would corrospond to my symptoms over the past few months, I will be 47 in August. Thank you for your thoughts. I was hesitant to contact the Dr. just because I worry how they take things like this especially with my age so young to be beginning the symptoms. I was happy to get such a good response from them today. I will let you know how it all checks out.
This Comment