Questions & Answers : menopause symptoms, hysterectomy

Burning in groin

Editor — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:40:00 GMT

Question:

I had a hysterectomy at 29 years old, but was left with my ovaries. I do not know if I ever went through menopause, but I am now 51 years old. The past three weeks I have been experiencing a burning sensation in the left groin area. It is not painful, just constant, and annoying. Is this anything like having a hot flash?

Claudia

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Answer:

It may be. Having your uterus removed doesn’t immediately trigger menopause, although women who’ve had a partial hysterectomy sometimes start menopause a few years earlier than other women. What you are describing may be a symptom of menopause, but it could be something else. You should make an appointment with your doctor.

Severe mood changes

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:50:00 GMT

Question:

I have been on HRT for 27 years. I had a hysterectomy at age 24. They removed all my organs – uterus, tubes, ovaries, etc. I have been taking 1.25 mg of premarin. I have been acting erratically lately: crying for no reason – angry when I’m not crying – and treating my husband terribly. I am just beside myself as I am a very happy-go-lucky type of woman. What on earth is going on with me?

Deb

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Answer:

It’s hard for us to say, Deb. It’s not menopause – you went through that 27 years ago. It’s possible your HRT regimen needs to be changed, or that you are suffering from some other ailment that’s unrelated to hormones or chemical imbalances. Your first step should be to see a physician, and you may need to be referred to a counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist. But don’t get needlessly more upset – there may be an easy fix.

Partial hysterectomy and menopause

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:37:00 GMT

Question:

I am 51 years old. I had a partial hysterectomy at the age of 29. Will I have the same symptoms as other women? I am having lots of hot flashes, day and night, extreme difficulty sleeping, no energy, etc. Please answer my question the best that you can so I will know if I am really going through menopause. If so, what do you recommend?

Jill

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Answer:

If your ovaries were not removed, your symptoms of perimenopause could be similar to those of a woman who has not had a hysterectomy. The difficulty, of course, is that you do not have a period, which makes it difficult to mark reaching menopause. Your age and symptoms lean towards saying you are in perimenopause or have reached menopause. We’d recommend a check-up with a physician.