Mental health and hysterectomy

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I’m trying to make my mind up about having a hysterectomy for heavy periods.

It would be a straight forward decision but it is complicated by the fact that I have bipolar disorder.

My consultant believes it won’t be possible to leave my ovaries in so I will go into instant menopause.

I’m worried that it will have a negative affect on my mental health. I’m approaching the age where I will probably become menopausal anyway and my consultant believes have a very controlled menopause will actually be better than going through it naturally. I’m just very unsure though.

Would anyone be willing to share their experiences

I am willing to share my experience, but I am not sure how much use it will be to you.

I had a hysterectomy and had my ovaries removed, and went straight into a full menopause.

i asked if I should be on HRT, and was told no, as I was not having any symptoms. I was told hot flushes are what is important, as they are the indicator of how all hormones are balancing out.

So I had an instant menopause and no HRT, although I was monitored and I would have had HRT if I had needed it.

I have the occasional hot flush, maybe once every week or two, over the last two years.

I am fit and healthy, and very much enjoying freedom from periods.

No issues at all

But I don't have bipolar disorder, so all this could be irrelevant

@54321nought thank you for sharing. Although you don’t have bipolar it’s still reassuring to hear such a positive experience.

It must be wonderful to be free of periods. Mine are now so heavy that I can’t leave the house for a couple of days each month.

I don't have bipolar but I suffer from (diagnosed) depression. I had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy six years ago, no HRT as I wasn't suitable for it.

I went into menopause straight away - the symptoms were a nuisance, but not unbearably. After a couple of years, I stopped having very many symptoms and now I very rarely have them. I feel grateful, as most other women my age have it all still to come, plus the uncertainty of their periods becoming erratic over an extended length of time.

I would say, on balance, my mental health is better since the operation, mainly because I am no longer losing huge chunks of my life to unmanageable pain and struggling to plan around heavy and erratic menstruation. It didn't 'cure' my depression, but it means I have less physical stuff to worry and get anxious about while I am coping with the ups and downs of my mental state.

Wishing you the best whatever you decide to do.

I had my ovaries removed with a hysterectomy and was given HRT straight away. I don't know why you wouldn't be given it.

Thank you both. From the initial conversation I had with the consultant I think they will give me HRT straight away so I’m hoping that will mean my mental health is pretty stable.

I don't understand why some doctors don't give immediate HRT after hysterectomy (except when there is cancer - I understand that)

I just had a hysterectomy. I will be on HRT for life. It's for bone, heart and general health.

I didn't have any mental issues before but I am on a completely steady level hormone base which surely has to be beneficial. And anyway, I doubt it interferes with bi-polar medicine should you still need it afterwards.

There's a FB group called hysterectomy sisters uk.

Lovely bunch! Barely anyone regrets a hysterectomy.