Surgical Menopause Is Scaring The Shit Out Of Me
I'm sure this will become a series
In 13 days, I’ll be in menopause.
I’m not sure what’s freaking me out more - the major in-patient surgery or the onslaught of changes that will come with the hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy.
Ridiculously named but quite serious, oophorectomy is the removal of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) ovaries. It reduces the risk of certain cancers and eliminates the possibility of continually forming cysts & fibroids in reproductive organs (because I won’t have any) and ability to get pregnant (because I won’t have a uterus).
The biggest symptom differences between the two types of menopause - natural and surgical - are onset (sudden rather than a slow progression) and severity. The reason? With surgery, there’s a more abrupt cessation of ovarian function and, as a result, a more severe, sudden drop in hormone levels (50% reduction in serum testosterone and 80% reduction in the concentration of serum estradiol, a form of estrogen).
Are you ever spiraling before an event or procedure and you start going down the dark holes of Google and Reddit? And then your loved ones say “well people on Reddit are far more likely to share the negative experiences, I’m sure you’re just generating more negative feedback in the algorithm with your searches.”
HA. HA.
Here’s what the existing research and clinical studies have shown:
Severe hot flashes were experienced by approximately 90% of women who had a hysterectomy, compared with 50% for naturally menopausal women.
Compared to women who entered menopause naturally, women with bilateral oophorectomy are at an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment and osteoporosis.
Women entering menopause surgically are at a three-fold risk of anorgasmia (aka inability to reach orgasm) and experience a more profound loss of libido.
Women (regardless of age) who have undergone a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (or BSO for short) have a 40% increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Like I said. This is scaring the shit out of me.
I sat across from my psychiatrist yesterday and watched her eyes bug out when I told her what was coming for me. She doubles as a menopause specialist, though I haven’t needed that treatment up until now and so didn’t know that until this moment.
“You must get on hormone therapy asap after surgery,” she said.
Not one to sugarcoat a damn thing, ever, she continued:
“You’re very, very young for this. You should have had about a decade left to ease in to the transition gradually. You need to mitigate bone density loss and cognitive decline. There’s a greatly increased risk of dementia.”
I meekly reminded her that I was already there for anxiety and cognitive challenges, so this wasn’t especially encouraging.
Who am I without estrogen, the “youth and beauty hormone”?
I don’t know. Stay tuned. Going to go cry now.
A sweet friend has put together a meal train and mutual aid site for me. I’ve been unable to work consistently due to chronic illness & pain for the past few months, and will be totally without income while in the 6-8 week recovery period from my surgery. If you feel compelled to give or share, I would be so appreciative. Aid will cover medications, food, and help me keep my vehicle to make it to appointments and get back to work after the recovery period. My Meal Train site is here: Mylynda’s Meal Train. Each donation will be thanked with a complimentary virtual palm reading or commissioned poem - your choice.