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Sudden Menopause

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Surgical and Sudden Menopause: Why It's More Severe

At age 38, I had a hysterectomy (including removal of both ovaries). Afterwards, my surgeon told me that I would probably feel soooooooo much better...probably better than I had felt in years! Well, unfortunately that was not the case and within months, I was in full-blown menopause, accompanied by all of the usual afflictions--severe hot flashes, weight gain, depression, brain fog, memory problems, zeroed-out sex drive and crushing fatigue.

A year later, and several thousand dollars poorer, I realized that my doctor was not going to 'fix' me anytime soon. I also decided that synthetic hormone replacement was NOT for me. I began reading every book, magazine article and internet site that was even remotely related to natural women's health. I have learned so much, just three years after my big 'event'. Menopause is a huge physical event. It is also a life-changing psychological event. When it comes about as a result of surgery, referred to as surgical menopause, it is a change of epic proportions!! Unfortunately, there is not a great deal of helpful information available for those of us going through 'the change' in a sudden fashion.

I hope that some of what I have learned thus far will help other frustrated women to affect their health in a positive way.

Contents at a Glance

Natural HRT
Suzanne Somers, a Pioneer and Women's He...
Surgical Menopause and the link to Anxie...
Menopause News from About.com
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It's more than just an estrogen issue...

If you have decided to proceed with BHRT (bio-identical hormone replacement therapy), you'll most likely avoid the nasty side-effects of regular (synthetic) HRT. BHRT is not the old 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Based on symptoms and a doctor's analysis of your saliva and blood tests, a compounded BHRT prescription can be created just for you. It may likely contain one or all of the following hormones, isolated in a lab from plant sources, NOT from horse urine (Premarin):

Pregnenolone
Progesterone
Estrogen

Pregnenolone, produced chiefly in the adrenal glands, is called 'the mother hormone'. As the body synthesizes various hormones from cholesterol, pregnenolone is the first to be manufactured. From it, progesterone and DHEA are formed, and these substances are precursors to a wide array of other hormones, such as estrogens and testosterone.

Progesterone is manufactured by the ovaries of menstruating women and is later synthesized, to some degree, by the adrenal glands of menopausal women. In menopausal women, progesterone levels often drop off significantly.

If you are in menopause artificially, due to a hysterectomy, have experienced a serious illness or have undergone cancer treatments, your depletion may be even more severe. Progesterone deficiency can be linked to an increased risk of cancer, as well as an increased risk of osteoporosis.

There are numerous health benefits of natural progesterone that your conventional doctor does not know about, or will not bother to educate you about.
Progesterone may help to prevent breast cancer,
helps to prevent osteoporosis in menopausal women,
may help to shrink fibroids and ovarian cysts, and
may improve the quality of sleep in menopausal women.

Sometimes more important are the ratios of estrogens to progesterone. I was very surprised to learn that more estrogen is not necessarily the key to menopause symptom management. (Estrogen is actually a class of hormones with three different subgroups, estrone, estriol and estradiol.) When properly balanced with progesterone, estrogen's effect is significant and beneficial. When imbalances create estrogen dominance, estrogen can actually be problematic.

Suzanne Somers, a Pioneer and Women's Health Advocate

Suzanne Speaks about Natural Hormone Therapy and Menopause

Surgical Menopause and the link to Anxiety disorders

Is your physician dismissive (or impatient) with your anxiety complaints?

Did you know that the adrenal system 'picks up the load' for producing much of the needed hormones after surgical menopause? Before a hysterectomy, the ovaries and uterus supply needed estrogens, testosterone (yes, women need it too!) and progesterone. Afterwards...well, the woman's body goes into serious overdrive to make up for the sudden shortfalls.

It may take just months, or it may take years, but many menopausal women, especially those induced by surgery, will begin to experience menopause anxiety issues. For some, the symptoms will be severe, and may manifest as full blown panic attacks. Others may begin to feel a general anxiety, sometimes with stress triggers, and sometimes for no reason at all.

In my case, it took over three years for problems to manifest. It happened gradually at first, but as my physical fatigue worsened, it was clear that something was wrong. After a few embarrassing episodes in public places-- which seemed to come out of nowhere -- I began to feel like 'Crazy Lady'.

If this is sounding familiar to you, here's my best explanation of what is going on, physically speaking.

The adrenal system creates a master hormone called pregnenolone, which in turn is utilized for creating other important hormones. (DHEA, progesterone, aldosterone, cortisol, etc.) The adrenal system, if unhealthy to begin with, simply cannot keep up with the demand. Progesterone MUST be present for the body to manufacture other important hormones. When stress is severe, something called 'pregnenolone steal' can occur, where this substance is siphoned off to create cortisol and other stress-induced hormones. Too much of this being diverted down the wrong pathway means there is little to no progesterone being made. Classic manifestations of low progesterone are anxiousness, irritability, mood swings and full blown anxiety disorders.

If this sounds like you, speak to your physician or nurse practitioner about the problems. If they are dismissive, or just want to dispense drugs to mask the symptoms, RUN to another doctor who will listen.
Treatment involving natural progesterone or a combination of several natural hormones may produce a more longlasting solution. You are not doomed to be 'Crazy Lady'!

Disclaimer: The lense master is not a medical professional. Consult with a medical doctor or nurse practitioner to determine your specific needs.

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joashsmith Sep 8, 2011 @ 11:47 pm | delete

Good information, thanks for sharing detailed stuff.
Surgical Technician Salary

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morcant12 Jul 12, 2011 @ 2:00 am | delete

Sudden menopause can be brought about a number of ways but surgery is the most common reason.
What age does menopause start

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krithikai May 13, 2011 @ 11:48 pm | delete

good post. highly informative. of course some of the terms are difficult to follow

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Nimsy Apr 28, 2010 @ 9:45 am | delete

My mom went through almost the same thing as you and I wish someone had warned her of the devastating effects it would have on her and also the family...

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hysterectomy-weightgainer Jun 21, 2009 @ 3:27 am | delete

Great lens Cathy. Diagnosed with Cervical Cancer at age 39 and and had mild symptoms, biggest struggle is weight gain.

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NetworkMarketingReview Apr 4, 2009 @ 4:34 am | in reply to Natalie | delete

Hi Natalie,

I am so sorry to hear of your health struggles. It can seem like a real nightmare. I am absolutely not a medical professional...but you certainly need to find someone who will listen. A friend recently gave me a copy of a fascinating book. This may or may not be your 'thing', but take a look at the comments and reviews on Amazon and consider ordering a copy. The title is 'A More Excellent Way' by Henry Wright. Be sure to order the new updated version.

Warm regards and best wishes,
Cathy

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Natalie Mar 12, 2009 @ 7:54 pm | delete

My search has found this page after months of trying to get answers. But I still dont get whats going on with my body. I am type 1 onset diabetic juvinile- 33 yrs. Got uterin cancer stage 3 in may last yr at age 38 weight was 128 average. got bed ridden for 2 months from a bleeding fibroid waiting for the historectomy ( total hist) then had that done in july, was under severe stress from buying a home, moved a week after surgery ( over 40 staples stil in me) lost quite a bit of weight back to about prob 8 pounds over my usual. took chemo after 7 weeks. then gained lik,e crazy...... ??? now at 155, no energy, working out average of 15 min a day . have severe tendon problems now, had buldging dsc in november which put me in hospital bed rest. I watch what I eat... ( always did due to diabetic) but I keep gaining......??? HELP. I cant geet straight answers from anything or anyone. what is my weight due to exactly?? yes i had steroids during chemo for 3 days each treatment.

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honeybuns Mar 22, 2008 @ 9:44 pm | delete

WOW, thank you, I have SLE (Lupus) which really complicates things even more. This was very imformative and insightful! I will share with all my doctors to find a balance.

Great job!

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ronpass Aug 29, 2007 @ 2:24 am | delete

Well done Cathy - this is a really important area. Looking forward to more information to pass on.
Ron Passfield
Squidoo marketing