Pmdd - Porter,TX

I also had fibroids and subsequently had a uterus alblation (yuk! Totally worthless and it didn't work). After that mess, I underwent a hysterectomy. It was an exorcism. Amazing not to have the hoorror of monthly discomfort. They left my ovaries. It was about a year later that the hot flashes started. I went to Premarin through conventional meds and after feeling that it was not right, I changed to bio-identical hormones. It is amazing! I am in Houston, where Hotze Wellness is. Find a place near you that does bios and seek advice! You won't regret it! Good luck to you. J.

You need to find another doctor!! I suffered with PMDD for years before they called it that. It was still just PMS. But it was so bad I couldn't stand it.
I developed a pretty bad case of indometriosis, and the cramps were unbelievable. The indometriosis got so bad the doctor wanted to remove my uterus. Since I was only 32 yrs. old at the time, he DID NOT remove my ovaries, they were not diseased. Without the uterus you don't have a period anymore and that cured the PMDD. The first monthly cycle after the surgery I did feel some what shaky, but after that I felt great. I think you need to do a little more research. I don't think the doctor should remove your ovaries, unless they are diseased. I did not go thru menopause until recently, and my surgery was 26 yrs. ago. My best friend's doctor did remove her ovaries with her uterus, and it did throw her into early menapause. You are right about not doing hormone replacement, it would be too dangerous for you. I would certainly do some more research before I let the doctor remove everything, sometimes they get cut happy. Good Luck and God Bless!

I understand. I suffered from different issues for many years, including endometrosis (sp?) which caused PMDD.....I fought with my insurance company for years because they did not want me to have the hysteroctemy (sp?) so I took Sarafem and it was wonderful then they decided they would not pay for the Sarafem and my symptoms returned. I don't know how I remain married after those days....I was horrible. No one could get along with me during that time. I hated everyone.....Needless to say, I had a hysteroctemy and my life is completely different and I had both ovaries removed....best decision of my life.

Don't know much about PMDD but had fibroid myself. When I was told about 10 yrs ago, I fought it for over a year. Thought I was too young for a hysterectomy. I didn't want more children just didn't want all that is involved with surgery. Finally got to the point of such horrible periods that I caved in. I no longer have migraines and felt great for about 2 yrs. I also had ovaries removed so went on HRT. Was told by removing ovaries, prevented ovarian cancer. 10 yrs later, still on HRT but now it is a patch. The 1st few years was a pill (can't remember name) then was told have to be off it due to risks, tried cremes-yuck. Patch has been okay for about 5 yrs. Many friends have tried other remedies. Some have had HRT thru shots at doctor's. The main side effect for me has been lack of sex drive!! Constant, ongoing problem.
With the web, there is so much info you can read. We have to research for ourselves now cause med profession doesn't give it all to us. They do have surgeries just to remove the fibroid but they say the chance of recurrence is high. Fibroid is not bad if you want to wait longer and research. Just depends on size and if it is pressing on other internal organs and how much blood loss you have could lead to iron deficiency. Good luck and schedule an appt with your dr before surgery to ask all these questions!!
A good book to read is the Wisdom of Menopause by Christianne Northcutt. She has written several and been on many talk shows.

I would get a second opinion.

Your Dr, is right that once the hormones are gone, so are your symptoms. The hormones are causing your pmdd, that is why BC pills work. They regulate your hormones.

You would not go through menopause because that is the gradual change in hormone levels over time.

Second opinion, second opinion, second opinion!!!! Can't stress this enough!

It sounds like you really need to do more internet research on Total Hysterectomies, when BOTH ovaries are removed. I would not have this very drastic surgery until you get a second and third opinion FROM FEMALE GYNOCOLOGISTS. Our ovaries produce our hormones, male and female hormones. Removing your female hormones removes all sexual desire, among many other consequences. Do not get this surgery.
Ask a female gynocologist what the alternatives are, and how to treat your PMDD. When we go thru menopause, our estrogen and other hormones slowly dry up, because our ovaries stop producing them. Removing your ovaries makes you skip menopause.

I was on Sarafem for a while and it was a HUGE help. At the time I was also on the pill with both estrogen and progesterone. After I had my daughter, I was put on the mini-pill - progesterone only- not only did my PMDD go away, I rarely even have my periods anymore. I think the estrogen really made me crazy. I feel for you - PMDD was horrible, and very few really understand it.
As far as a second opinion, I would suggest it. I don't quite understand how the hysterectomy will prevent menopause - my mom had one (granted, back in the 80s), but still went through menopause. Just because your uterus/ovaries are gone doesn't mean that the hormones that are triggered in your pituitary glands are inactive. Granted, I'm not a doctor, but something doesn't sound 100% right.

Get a 2nd opinion!!! I can't say that strongle enough, I will never have a critical procedure done again, without a 2nd opinion. We need to be well informed to make informed decisions about our health care. I had a hysterectomy at 34. It very well may have been the best solution to my problems, but I have so many regrets and what if's. I didn't want more children, but every women responds to this procedure differently, I had a terrible time adjusting to my new body chemistry. I don't take any HRT, I tried all of it; pills, patches, shots, creams, hated all of it, the side effects were as bad or worse than pre surgery problems. I did have my ovaries removed as well, still believe that was the best answer to that question, I've read that the ovaries will only continue to produce hormones a few years after the hysterectomy any way, but they can become cancerous at any time, and ovarian cancer is extremely dangerous because there typically isn't any pain to tell you there is a problem until the cancer is very advanced and difficult to treat.

Our bodies still produce small amounts of estrogen without the ovaries, but it makes sense that the PMDD symptoms would be greatly reduced by removing the ovaries. We have to learn to be proactive about our health care, I recognize there is alot of misinformation on the internet about things, but do alot of research on the internet, then write down questions for your doctor about, symptoms, other treatment options, long term outcomes. Be informed then make the best decision you can about your health. Then you can have confidence in your decision, and look forward to a positive recovery from your current problems
God Bless,

You may want to try Shaklee's supplements. I suffered terribly with PMS before using them. Let me know if you are interested and I can let you know what to take.
However, if your fibroid are bad enough, you could hemmorage. My fibroids went away with the supplements, the pms went away and I have sailed through menopause. The other women in my family all had to have hysterectomies.
Victoria