Dr N:
I'm sure this is a question
you've heard before , I had a hysterectomy done two years ago, everything
was removed except one ovary. I had a prolapsed uterus and fibroid tumors.
My doctor says that I am not in need of any hormone therapy because
I still have the one ovary. I have sweats ( not intense, but uncomfortable)
depression, and can't seem to achieve orgasms. When I told him this
, he gave me Paxil. This is something I don't want to take, and have
not taken. I hope you can help in some way. ( I am 46 years old) thank
you.
Reply:
Hi,
You're right, this
is a frequent question, and I need to write a section on this topic.
It is addressed in one of the Ask Dr N questions and you should look
at this as it will provide some insight. The Menopausal With Ovaries
on the drop down list on the Ask Dr N Archives page of the web site.
The bottom line is that your Dr just does not know any better, because
he is wrong. There are a number of studies that show that ovaries fail
after hysterectomy, especially if one is removed. You are entitled to
HRT if you want it. If he cannot see the light, find another physician
who is more knowledgeable.
You will find a
summary, or abstract of a study about this, below this e-mail for you
to look at.
Let me know what
and how you do.
Dr N
Abstract
Ovarian failure phenomena after hysterectomy.
Authors:
Riedel HH , Lehmann-Willenbrock E , Semm K
There is no Department for this article
J Reprod Med 1986 Jul;31(7):597-600
Article Number: UI86307795
Abstract: Previous studies have shown that simple hysterectomy with
both ovaries left intact may cause ovarian failure. Questionnaires on
climacteric symptoms were mailed to 243 patients between 27 and 42 years
old who had been hysterectomized during the past ten years in the Kiel
University obstetrics and gynecology clinic. From the 164 replies we
found typical signs of ovarian failure in 39%. Some of the patients
were asked to undergo endocrinologic investigation, which showed biphasic
cycles in most cases. However, the average progesterone and estrogen
concentrations in the suspected luteal phases were lower than in healthy
women in the same age group.