Hysterectomy for cervical cancer, now worried about menopause!

[Flossyjim]

Hi all,
I underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy for early stage cervical cancer 6 months ago. All went well and I've had the all clear thank goodness.

This past week though, I have been experiencing terrible mood swings. Now, being only 36 (I was 35 at the time of the surgery) the docs left my ovaries as I am too young to go through the menopause. The type of hysterectomy I had was using an advanced technique (apparently very difficult to find a surgeon in the UK that can carry it out, I live in Spain and had the procedure at one of the top womens university hospitals here) it took over 6 hours, godammit!

Anyhoo, I am curious to know if there is anyone else out there who has had this op, still has ovaries, then starts to experience what I can only imagine to be menopausal symptoms. Very angry, then calm. Crying, a lot. Lack of sex drive. Zero patience. Gets invited out, then can't be arsed to go. Husband annoying me every waking moment. etc etc.

I am not in any pain, I exercise, I do yoga, I run around after the kids constantly, I work when I can (self employed - husbands business!)....
Am I menopausal......or is it just the moon, planets, solar flares? (I've been blaming it on that all this week!). Would like to hear your thoughts, as most of my mates just respond with "it must be the moon" (They are mainly hippies, and me going through this has shocked a lot of them)

Sorry to hear about the cancer and glad to hear the op was successful.
It could be hormonal change - from what I've read leaving the ovaries isn't a complete guarantee. Have you been on either the Jo's trust forum or Hysterectomy association website? I've seen women on there occasionally finding this after awhile.
Suggest you see your GP/Spanish equivalent and/or get back into see a gynaecologist. Are you due for a 6 month review soon?

Hi BelaLug0si, thanks. I have just been for my 6 month revision last week, it's since then I've been feeling like this. I will check out the websites. I tend to just carry on thinking things will right themselves naturally!
I keep saying to myself that because I still have my ovaries, I should be just fine. But during the operation, the doctors moved my ovaries higher up into my abdomen (in case of any radiotherapy that might have to be carried out in that area in the future) so the poor little blighters have undergone some serious stress! So I'm with you on that it could be hormonal change.

I am due to go back for another check-up in June. If I'm still a moody cow prior to then, I will pay the GP a visit I think!

I had mine removed at the same time about the same age, so I've been on HRT since then. This has worked fine. The op was for an ovarian cyst rather than cx related. As you say the repositioning could have aggregated them. The other thing to consider is that if this started after your appt last week, then may be it's a delayed reaction to having been through the treatment and diagnosis - or having been for the follow up has brought those feelings up again. Give yourself time to get your head round it as you've been through a lot.
Your plan to discuss in June if no improvement sounds good.

Could it be reaction to the cancer/ op? I've had treatment for Breast Cancer and got through it all okay, but found mood swings and emotional turmoil hit once i'd got through all the ops/ treatment.