Surgical menopause

[OvacomeSupport]

Hello All

We've been asked to write a blog post about surgical menopause for the PositivePause website positivepause.co.uk/ . It will be a really short piece but I'd like to include your comments about your experience or any tips you have for managing the sudden effects of surgical menopause. I won't use any personal identifiable details.

If you have any comments you'd like to share, please do leave them below or direct message me.

Many thanks for your help.

Best wishes

Anna

Ovacome Support Services

[purejoy12]

Hi Anna. Mine was quite drastic. A few weeks after my major surgery - TLH, BSO and Omentectomy, I suddenly couldn’t sleep or I’d sleep for two hours and lie in bed awake for the rest of the night. I also suffered from numbness in my hands and insects crawling sensation. I think it’s called formication (with m not n...haha). The other drastic change was the vaginal dryness which was almost immediate.

My oncologists and the menopause clinic have different opinion about prescribing HRT so I decided to investigate on my own to see what I can do to help alleviate my symptoms.

First, I embraced a low carb lifestyle. I learned that sugar makes hormonal imbalance worse (and cancer feeds on sugar anyway). Then I found a hormone specialist who measured my hormone levels and prescribed a compounding made of natural progesterone and pregnanolone based on my blood test results. I was also prescribed Ovestin Cream (Oestriol) for my vaginal dryness. I’ve also been using essential oils to help me with sleep.

So far my symptoms have dissipated. And I’m hoping it will continue that way. I’m not sure if it’s the natural hormones, my change in food habits, the essential oils or a combination. But so far so good! And I’m quite pleased I can sleep soundly again. ☺️

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to purejoy12]

Dear purejoy12

Thank you very much for such a helpful reply, I really appreciate it. It's great to hear your symptoms have dissipated.

If there's anything we can help with please do get in touch and thank you again.

Best wishes

Anna

[CJR99]

Hi Anna,

So very sorry if I am too late to add support/comment. Please do let me know if i can assist. Feel like I have a degree in all things surgical menopause!!

Best wishes,

Clare

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team in reply to CJR99]

Hi Clare

Thanks for your reply. The blog post has been published now, but I'll certainly be in touch if we need comments on surgical menopause in the future, which I'm sure we will. Thanks so much for your offer, we really appreciate it.

Best wishes

Anna