Hysterectomy keeping ovaries - menopause help

[Menora]

I had this done in 2021 and kept both ovaries

Since then I haven’t had any follow up as problem solved - no more bleeding.

Consultant said ovaries always seem to fail within 5 years post hysterectomy.

How on earth am I meant to know when I am in the menopause as I have no bleeding to go by. I know some people have terrible menopause symptoms but some people have vague ones so I am so confused. What should I be looking for?

I want to make sure I do not leave it too long before starting HRT. I can’t keep having bloods done to check unless I have symptoms.

I’ve just downloaded a symptom tracker app as I am still getting sore breasts every few weeks. I have a very obvious libido rise and drop so I assume I am still ovulating?

I really don’t want to bother my GP about this until I really need to.

Is this a case of how long is a piece of string and there is just no way of knowing?

I had a hysterectomy 17 years ago at 43 but was left with my ovaries too. Nothing was explained to me about what might happen in the future and I enver asked. Tbh I was just so glad to be rid of the excessive bleeding.

I guess I've gone through the menopause now but have no definitive proof of this. I never had any symptoms like mood swings or hot flushes so was lucky in that respect.

I started taking Meopace plus and tried having a break from them earlier this year and began to feel tired and out of sorts so started again.

This happened with me too but I didn’t know my ovaries would fail in five years. I had my sub total hysterectomy 11 years ago but still get sore boobs so not sure what that’s about. I was getting hot flashes but not since using estrogel. I’m assuming I’m post menopause so not sure why boobs still get sore.

Why do you "need" to start HRT?
It is a treatment to manage symptoms etc - if there are not things affecting your life then why start it? It seems similar to assuming all 14 year olds need to start taking the pill "in case", rather than looking at each individual case and assessing whether it would be appropriate and/or helpful.

Why do you "need" to start HRT?

This exactly. Nobody ever suggested this to me and, as I'm now 17 years post op I've obviously never needed it.

Totally agree.

I recognised the signs of menopause two years, almost to the day, after my hysterectomy at the age of 46. When (if) you decide to seek help will be the right time.

Nice guidelines suggest a yearly blood test to test FSH.

I had one last year a year after my surgery (also kept ovaries).

I haven't requested one this year although I'm due because my hormones feel more settled than they were a year ago - but I'm currently 43 so would need HRT because I'd be having menopause under 47 - so early.

To prevent osteoporosis?

It’s not just to manage symptoms it’s also protective?

sorry if I did not state I am under 45 so this is actually more pertinent to me it’s advised by age.

I am not on HRT neither am I asking for it now. I am asking about what symptoms to look for when I do not have periods to go by.

Sore breasts appear to be a symptom of peri but I don’t know if this is just normal or whether I am peri. I also have interrupted sleep. I don’t however have what I think is classic sweats.

@itsgettingweird thanks I did not know this. Happy with a yearly blood test. So I might ask my GP about setting this up

I can’t edit my OP but I had hysterectomy when I was 40.

So I could be ‘early menopause’ which is why this is important to me, as early menopause has a higher risk of osteoporosis and I don’t want to find this out too late

Fair enough if under 45.

Hysterectomy before menopause.
This leaflet is useful.

@Menora I'm going to come at this from another direction.

What you need is not an FSH test (which is inaccurate) but a DEXA scan of your bones. This will show your bone density.
It's painless, quick and non-invasive (basically it's an X-ray, lying on a couch.)

This should be a joined-up part of your after-care.

I have regular DEXA scans (every 2 years) as I had low bone density before my periods stopped. I'm on HRT.

Get a scan and that will help you decide what next.
Your GP ought to refer you but if the NHS won't do it, you can have it done privately - it's around £200 and has to be done every 2 to 3 years.

Bone loss is invisible and won't show until someone has a fracture and then it's all a bit too late. Other treatment has to start, some of which has unpleasant side effects.

Thanks! It’s good to know what I might be asking for. I feel a bit abandoned after the surgery!

I had a hysterectomy at 38 but retained my ovaries. My consultant mentioned that research indicated that women who undergo this procedure menopause earlier on average but at no point did he say within 5 years or mention an actual timescale. I began to have hot flushes at 51 and some bladder/urinary issues at 52/3. I am now 55 and still have daily mild hot flushes and some joint stiffness (mostly alleviated by exercise). I do have vaginal dryness and am thinking about seeing a GP about this issue. Without those initial hot flushes I would not have known I was perimenopausal. My mother menopause's at 56/7 so I feel like 51 might have been a touch earlier than if I had not had the hysterectomy but who knows?

I found this which says you should have yearly bloods as they can fail silently.

www.menopausematters.co.uk/aftermeno.php

Early failure is likely I believe due to the blood supply from the uterus being taken away during surgery. This can restrict their blood supply and cause them to fail.

Everything I've read says that the ovaries usually fail within 2 years.

The point is, whether blood say they've failed or not doesn't show anything about the state of your bones.

For women who are 'naturally' post menopause, the biggest loss of bone density is in the first 5 years. It can be as much as 5% per year.

So I had the FSH done and it’s come back at 2.8. Which is classed as abnormal as it’s so LOW. I have no idea what this actually means in terms of what is going on - am I in puberty 😂. If I was in menopause the FSH would be a lot higher?

I have lost a lot of weight apparently that can affect FSH. Other than that I have no idea

bone density is fine