Question:
As a 48 yr old woman who hasn't begun menopause YET, I am wondering
if there would be any effect on premenopausal symptoms if I have the WLS surgery. Does anyone know if menopause would be delayed or would in approach even faster? How does this surgery effect your hormones ladies? I am hoping it will help PMS symptoms or premenopausal symptoms because fat cells hold estrogen and with less fat cells, maybe all this craziness from PMS or whatever will end....such as chocolate cravings, sore tender breasts, insomnia, irritability, etc. Women, you know know what I mean!!! — [Anonymous] (posted on November 7, 2000)
December 31, 1969
Well, I'm a 52 year-old woman and since surgery have felt more like a
teenager than during my teen years. I am about 8 1/2 months postop and
before surgery was perimenopausal. I don't know if what happened to me is
typical or not, but here goes. For the past three months I experienced
extreme menopausal symptoms, the worst of which were loss of memory and
night sweats. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown or something
similar. My GYN put me on hormone replacement therapy even though it
hadn't been a year since my period stopped. A simple blood test (FSH) and
certain physical changes, showed that I am in menopause. I've lost 131
pounds so far (from 325 pounds to 194). Since estrogen is stored in our
fat cells and because of my rapid weight loss, I lost lots of those little
cells! As a consequence, I was thrown into menopause quite suddenly. Now
that I'm on replacement hormone therapy, I'm doing lots better. My GYN
told me I would notice a big change in my energy level and I told her that
my energy level was fantastic since I had lost weight. However, my energy
level has zoomed up even more! I can't believe good I'm feeling! Good
luck to you!
— Martha O.
November 7, 2000
I still have PMS, sweet cravings, irritability, etc. PLUS I have for the
past couple of months had severe cramping, which I didn't even have
before!! I have lost 79 lbs. since June 7, I now weigh 171, so I don't
think fat has anything to do with PMS...just a thought...
— [Anonymous]
November 7, 2000
Before my surgery 4/26/00, I had to take anti-inflammatory and a narcotic
painkiller to get my cramps to subside, both at ovulation and during
menstruation. Since surgery, I have not had to take either. Up until the
last couple of months, I had no problems at all, and I have been able to
tolerate the last couple of months with no medical intervention. I believe
losing 105 lbs in 6 months has contributed greatly to this progress! As
far as moodiness, I feel like my surgeon snuck a brain transplant in,
because my attitude has completely changed. A lot is psychological, but
that's sure worth something. Best wishes!
— [Deactivated Member]
November 7, 2000
Hi. I'll be paying close attention to the responses to your posting
because I'm in the exact same situation as you are right now. I'm also 48
years old and am just now starting to experience some premenopausal
symptoms. I had my wls (open RNY/proximal) 8 months ago and am currently
down 93#. The only things I've really noticed are that my periods have
become VERY regular (28 days) and are a little heavier and while I have
some breast tenderness I do seem to have alot of bloating. I haven't
really noticed any particular or pronounced emotional symptoms of PMS
altho' my kids may tend to differ. I've had a "few" hot flashes
tho' which I'd never had pre-op. My pre-menstral cramping (which I've
always experienced) are very similar to cramping from the gas pains that I
seem to experience alot lately. In short, nothing that I'm experiencing
now, however, is really a whole lot different that what I experienced
pre-op. I guess menopause is unique to each individual.
— cj T.
November 7, 2000
Well, I'm a 52 year-old woman and since surgery have felt more like a
teenager than during my teen years. I am about 8 1/2 months postop and
before surgery was perimenopausal. I don't know if what happened to me is
typical or not, but here goes. For the past three months I experienced
extreme menopausal symptoms, the worst of which were loss of memory and
night sweats. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown or something
similar. My GYN put me on hormone replacement therapy even though it
hadn't been a year since my period stopped. A simple blood test (FSH) and
certain physical changes, showed that I am in menopause. I've lost 131
pounds so far (from 325 pounds to 194). Since estrogen is stored in our
fat cells and because of my rapid weight loss, I lost lots of those little
cells! As a consequence, I was thrown into menopause quite suddenly. Now
that I'm on hormone replacement therapy, I'm doing lots better. My GYN
told me I would notice a big change in my energy level and I told her that
my energy level was fantastic since I had lost weight. However, my energy
level has zoomed up even more! I can't believe good I'm feeling! Good
luck to you!
— Martha O.
November 8, 2000
I'm 44 and had a total hysterectomy 2 years ago and WLS last April. You
are correct about the fat holding estrogen, etc. I'm on hormone
replacement therapy and it has had to be readjusted and readjusted after
surgery with the rapid weight loss, loss of fat, differing absorption rate
of medicine through the skin patch I wear etc. I have no doubt that you
may experience some changes also. But, its anybody's guess what those will
be.
— Cindy H.
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