I had a total hyst.with removal of ovaries in March to remove low grade uterine cancer.
I am not therefore permitted to take HRT or any plant oestrogens.
Ever since, I have been having horrendous hot flushes and night sweats. I have started acupuncture as a general treatment because I have been suffering from anxiety along with the flushes.
Although I feel less anxious, the flushes are still bad, and I have heard that when the ovaries are removed, sometimes the flushes never stop.
Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this?
I am not allowed black cohosh or soy or anything else that has an oestrogen effect on the body. I am beginning to get quite worried that I shall never get over them.They are so wearing on the body!
Although the doctor tells me they will stop I have read that they will not as ovaries continue to produce small amounts of hormones even after the menopause and of course I dont have mine now!

Hi Janet,

I sympathize with you. I suffered from hot flushes to the point where my quality of life was shot. I still have my uterus and both ovaries so my situation is different, but I truly know how you feel. I wish I had some answers for you, but my only relief came from HRT and believe me I tried everything. What about Birth Control Pills? Are they still considered harmful?


Patrice

Yes of course. They are hormones so they definitely out!
Thanks for replying anyway
Jan

Hi Janet, Unfortunately, you seem to be right. I decided that I did not want to use HRT and haven't as yet. I am now 52 and am suffering greatly from hot flashes also. I have exhausted my research on alternative remedies that were estrogen free and the only real advice given by my research and doctors was to try acupuncture (which you are doing), more exercise???, hey I'm sweating as it is, or just accept it and try to live with it. One doctor did say that some success has been had with clonidine, a blood pressure medication, some drugs used to treat depression and some drugs used to treat nerve irritation. I didn't ask for the names as I really don't believe in taking a lot of medication. As for having hot flashes longer with no ovaries I can't really help you there. I do know that my flashes did not really start until my periods had stopped for 5 months.

Hi Arla-thanks for your response.
I saw my acupuncturist yesterday. She used to be a gynaecologist so I have to trust what she told me.
She said up to now she has really only been treating my anxiety because I was going downhill fast and it was making the flushes worse. Now that I am much less anxious, she has started concentrating more on the flushes. So I had a treatment yesterday.
She has reassurred me that even though I had my ovaries removed, I will not get hot flushes forever. My body is still out of balance because of the abrupt removal of my ovaries but it will adjust in time.
Last night I had really bad flushes but this morning none! Most unusual!
It is quite often the case with acu that you feel a bit worse for a short while before you start to feel better so I am hoping things are now moving in the right direction. Like you I am not keen to take medication. I have heard about clonidine but even my doc said it has side effects so I wont be trying that!
Janet c

Janet, I know you've had many problems and I just hope you feel better soon. This time of life certainly takes you by surprise. It's not quite what any of us expected I don't think.