His and Her Health

I am going to have a total hysterectomy, including having cervix removed. Will I go into menopause directly after surgery or will it take awhile? I PMS every month and hope this will go away after surgery. I am thinking menopause has to be better than pms'ing. I would appreciate any responses that have gone through this. Thank you.

I had the complete operation with the navel to hairline stitches so I am familiar with it. I used to have terrible PMS but after the surgery I never had this anymore. I also did not go through menopause. Never a hot flash or anything else. Had to work to get it back together sexually but no regrets. Hope everything goes well...Caroline

You may want to visit www.redhotmamas.org for more information on menopause.

You should also check the forums on hystersisters.com

If your ovaries will be removed you will immediately enter menopause. Symptoms vary widely, just be prepared so you will recognize them and know what to do with them if they happen to you.

I had a radical hysterectomy in February, 2006 due to uterine cancer. I am not able to take HRT or any other estrogen-based treatment for this reason. My experience, so far, has included hot flashes many times a day (Black Cohosh and a small battery-powered fan I carry in my purse have saved my sanity), changes to body hair (thicker on arms, thinner on head - go figure) and now a rather alarming decline in libido (just told hubby today). I don't suffer from mood swings.

I have also found that I've had to be my own doctor, counselor, researcher and diagnostician. For example, given my age at surgical menopause (43) I am concerned about osteoporosis, having researched this side effect. I had to request a bone density test during a visit with my family doctor. Why isn't there a packet of information given to women prior to this surgery and/or at menopause?

My advice to you is to continue what you are doing, searching for information from reputable sites - like this one. No one cares more about your health and well-being than you do, don't just rely on your physicians to receive the best medical care. Be your own advocate.