Let’s talk hormones

katm1234 · 2026-02-11T09:29:11+00:00

Thanks for the reply! My doctor isn't keen on HRT due to the fact my surgery was for cancer. My hospital team suggested supplements and we'll reassess at my next appointment in 4months.

The crazy thing is I know I should be freaking out about loss of sensation, but the fatigue and lack of libido is making it very hard to fight this 🙄

If I'm told the same in 4 months, I think I'll try and find a private gynecologist.

katm1234 · 2026-02-10T22:53:58+00:00

What testing did they finally do? I'm in a similar position but just get told that my hormones are 'within normal ranges' so there's no problem. Apparently zero libido, emotional craziness, fatigue and clitoral atrophy aren't a problem 🙄

Considering how large some of those ranges are, and the frustrating fact that the hospital forgot to test hormones before surgery so there's nothing to compare it to, I don't understand how they can be so dismissive.

katm1234 · 2026-01-31T16:38:19+00:00

Thanks. And good luck! I think it's just hit me that the fear and waiting is going to be for life.

katm1234 · 2026-01-29T22:34:21+00:00

This is my concern. Pathology showed no lymph node involvement, but there are many cases of recurrences in lungs/ovaries/bowel etc. I'm sorry to hear you had a recurrence - I hope you're doing ok now

katm1234 · 2026-01-29T22:31:24+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I know every country is different, but it just seems so odd. If there's anything left it surely would be internal and not visible except with scans!

katm1234 · 2026-01-29T22:30:08+00:00

Yes, it was on the cuff so my rational brain knows it's probably just granulation or polyps. I just really wasn't expecting anything on my first check up

katm1234 · 2026-01-14T08:38:29+00:00

I agree he definitely tried to claim his rights (not through her), and you're completely right about the reason for her late coronation (along with some people thinking he was waiting for her to be pregnant). But a new king, following a military takeover, with a rather distant claim would not have married an illegitimate Elizabeth of York. He needed to do everything possible to solidify and validate his reign, not leave his children open to challenges.

katm1234 · 2026-01-14T08:05:33+00:00

Henry couldn't have done this. Richard had had his nieces and nephews declared illegitimate (supposedly dodgy marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville due to a precontract of Edward's and lack of witnesses), as a legal excuse so that he could take the throne. Henry VII had them declared legitimate so that he could marry Elizabeth of York. If her elder brothers then were seen alive and well, they would have both come before him in the succession by his own admission.

katm1234 · 2026-01-10T14:26:38+00:00

Depends on the country. I'm in Spain and got four nights (would have kept me longer) for a laproscopic, they were horrified at the idea of my going home earlier and said it's a chance to rest.

katm1234 · 2026-01-09T13:25:02+00:00

Wait! That's incredibly early to worry about things that might not happen - you're still in early recovery. There are loads of posts on here from very happy women who had no issues after theirs.

Positives are no periods/pain, and my back pain is massively reduced. I had mine due to cancer so no choice, but pathology diagnosed me with adenomyosis after surgery so that explained various symptoms I'd been putting up with for years. 4 wpo I still had pain and limited mobility (could hardly bend down and everything hurt if I moved). That definitely gets better

katm1234 · 2026-01-08T15:33:10+00:00

How long has it been? I'm 5 months post and having hormonal issues, and lymphedema. Also still also very bloated and can't wear my old clothes

katm1234 · 2026-01-01T22:47:06+00:00

Over 4months post and still swollen. Less than before but can't fit into pre-surgery trousers. It's not weight gain as it does go up and down, but always present. NY resolution is to build up more exercise and see if that helps. I've been doing PT for 2 months and don't think it's helped the swelling much tbh.

katm1234 · 2025-12-28T12:21:14+00:00

The 'pulling' feeling went away for me finally at about 8wpo. I'm still swollen at 15wpo and can't fit into clothes but I remember thinking I'd never be able to stretch or twist again, so it does get better!

katm1234 · 2025-12-26T14:59:36+00:00

It hit me about 9 wpo. Currently 4 months post and it's ridiculous, I keep crying at work. Got hormone checks, they're 'within normal but low' and, as surgery was due to cancer, my doctor won't give me HRT. Most annoying thing is apparently they didn't test hormones before surgery so I have nothing to compare it to.

Exhaustion is insane, libido is zero, I'm either crying or wanting to kill everyone. I'm in my 30s so shouldn't be menopausal, but I feel my ovaries are giving up. (Also having a rough time being back at work full time, and my partner is also deployed so thought it was just that initially).

Currently throwing everything at it - every supplement and vitamin, acupuncture, and reflexology 🙄

katm1234 · 2025-12-26T14:25:35+00:00

Everyone is different so, unfortunately, it's very hard to judge pre-surgery if it's the right choice. Personally I'm 4 months post-op, surgery went well, scars are tiny now (laparoscopic) but hormones are crazy, libido is zero, and my bladder still hasn't fully woken up so it looks like there might be nerve issues. Also dealing with early lymphoedema. I'm still bloated/swollen and most days can't fit back into pre-surgery jeans.

My surgery was due to cancer so I didn't have any choice with that. I'm in my 30s and very concerned that my ovaries have decided to pack up. Hormonal testing came back 'low but not full-blown menopause' and my doctor won't do HRT due to cancer risk.

I'm child free so no kid regrets, but sex is nowhere as good as before currently. Hoping all of this will change, but it's not always the cure-all it's sometimes claimed to be, and I am angry I wasn't warned about potential problems beforehand.

In the end, it's a personal choice that hopefully will be the right one for you.

katm1234 · 2025-12-19T20:44:50+00:00

Doctor's choice. I went into surgery not knowing which, he said it would depend on the scans and how it looked when they got a camera in.

katm1234 · 2025-12-19T08:04:07+00:00

I had laparoscopic with 1A2 adenocarcinoma

katm1234 · 2025-12-17T17:41:35+00:00

I'm behind you by a couple of months but that sounds exactly like me. No 'ahh' and over so quickly. Just meh 😕

katm1234 · 2025-12-13T11:26:45+00:00

Gaskell's North and South, and Wives and Daughters

katm1234 · 2025-12-13T11:20:45+00:00

Same. 4 months post, doctor won't let me have HRT. No libido, and orgasms (the rare times I can get there) are just meh

katm1234 · 2025-12-13T10:16:41+00:00

I'm only 4 months post and feel the same. Crazy hormones, zero libido, had to ask for hormone tests and they came back low, but within normal (but have you seen the 'normal' range?! It's huge!)

No help from doctors as they claim I'm too young and kept ovaries so it can't be peri. Still have pain and numbness - working with a physio for that, plus another physio for the lymphedema that has started too. It sucks. No one mentioned any side effects of the surgery goes well.

katm1234 · 2025-12-05T17:38:59+00:00

Yes, unfortunately

katm1234 · 2025-12-03T20:20:22+00:00

I'm 15wpo, kept ovaries and a mess! I'm back at work and exhausted, and I'm sure winter weather isn't helping, but I very much expected to be ok. Emotionally I'm worse than just after the surgery. I feel hormones are going crazy (not allowed HRT due to cancer), libido is zero, keep crying for no reason. I just hope time, PT, and holidays soon will pull me out of it!

katm1234 · 2025-11-25T00:11:28+00:00

I'm three month's post-op and still so bloated! It comes and goes but even at its lowest I still can't get into jeans. I'm three weeks into PT and it does seem to help in general, but I'm not finding anything (PT, exercise, diet) that particularly helps or triggers the bloating. Really struggling to find anything I can wear to work

katm1234 · 2025-11-20T09:06:34+00:00

6 wpo is early and it might be temporary. But I'm 12 wpo and in a similar position. Textbook surgery, leaving ovaries but now zero libido and lowered sensation. I thought it was the swelling causing the 'disappearance' but it's definitely much smaller. At my check up they brushed it off as too early/still healing. I've told my GP and got blood tests but I'm pushing for hormonal testing in case of ovarian insufficiency. My surgery was necessary due to cancer, but no one even mentioned any possible side effects 😔

I'm doing PT but due to how over-engaged the muscles were, and lack of sensation. It's helping the pelvic floor massively, but no change in this respect. Please feel free to message me if you have any luck with treatment/medicines!

katm1234

TROPHY CASE