Question 82
Doctor N,
I have had a hysterectomy and ovaries also, the question is. Does a woman's body undergo change of life all at once with this procedure, or is it a process. And how long does this "change of life" take. I am on hormone therapy because during this operation, they found colon cancer, in the third stage. I have had a year of 5FU and levamisol. Now, it is almost four years later. Just wondering about the change of life process. I thought it was sudden right after the surgery and then someone told me that it was a process that a woman's entire body undergoes. Are the hormones to regulate all the systems of the body? Please let me know. Thanking you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter. Thanks.
Reply:
I am sorry that you have had to go through all this.
There are receptors for the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone in many of the tissues of the body. The integrity of the tissues is dependent on the presence of these hormones for their maintenance and optimal function. When two ovaries are removed, the hormone levels go down immediately and without HRT the woman is permanently hormonally deficient. Each tissue system begins to lose its integrity as soon as the hormone deficiency occurs, but may require differing amounts of time for this to become apparent. For example, it may take just a few weeks for vaginal dryness to become noticeable and 10-15 years for an osteoporotic fracture to occur. Examples of locations where the receptors exist include, the breasts, vagina, labia, clitoris, bones, skin, brain, heart and vascular system and on and on.
I would read as much of the web site as you can as this will provide insight as to what is going on and what additional options you might have if you desire them. Start by reading the sections under the Menopause and Hysterectomy headings and go from there.
Following this, if you have further questions, let me know.
Dr N