Inspiring hysterectomy for PMDD success stories!
by msjekyllhyde
Tonight I found a long thread of post op success stories (for PMDD/severe PMS) on the HysterSisters forum – it’s very uplifting! I’ll keep adding to this post as I find more.
http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187521
And another: http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/showthread.php?t=423277
Posted here by Stella, April 2011:
I am now 53 years old. I suffered from pmdd before anybody called it that. I remember making the rounds to doctor after doctor only to be told I had pms or needed to see a psychiatrist. All of what I read above was true for me also. I would get so angry, so emotional, so filled with rage. And even though I knew it was because of my hormones and that I was acting irrational, once I was in the zone, I felt my outbursts were justified. Finally I decided that I couldn’t take anymore and thought about ending my life; I was about 35 years old.
I decided to go to the doctor and tell him that I had horrible periods, bled copious amounts, with severe cramps. (I lied.) He told me I could have a hysterectomy. I had a total hysterectomy and it saved my life. Ever since, I take some estrogen each month. I have no more symptoms. Life has been extremely satisfying. In a few years I will try to get off the Premarin, but for now I feel great.
Unfortunately, my daughter now suffers from pmdd. She is too young to get a hysterectomy, but nothing else has seemed to work well. (she has tried antidepressants). So sad that the medical profession is still so largely unaware of this condition. Just went to a doctor the other day that recommended psychotherapy and kept calling it pms. Good luck to everyone out there suffering from this! Hang in there!
Read Stefanie’s post at her blog Redefining Life w/PMDD, October 2010:
It is hard to believe it’s already been 8 months since I had my hysterectomy. With 4 kids, sports, school & life’s regular chaos, the days & months have just flown by. Scary how fast time flies when you aren’t dealing with pain. I don’t have to look at the calendar before I make plans..
Posted here by Little Panda RN, July 2009:
I had a TAH with BSO 11 years ago. It was the best thing I ever did. Before my hysterectomy I was a basket case when that time of the month came around, crying one minute and madder than he** :angryfire the next. Since the hysterectomy I no longer have PMS. I sure do not miss the mood swings. I also have a friend who kept her ovaries and she still gets the PMS symptoms.
Life after hysterectomy for PMDD / PMS [aged 35]. UK 
I have been living with severe pmdd for about 5yrs, I’m 45yrs old. I am a Christian and feel full of the Holy Spirit 3weeks a month, but no amount of praying stops the week of possession. During that week I turn on God completely, blame him for everything (knowing he is sovereign) and let’s it happen sets me off on a pure hate tangent. Then when it passes, a week of guilt and shame. I truly want to die! So I’m going to see if I can get a hysterectomy before I end it all. Hope it works
So u think hysterctomy the way to go for PMDD. BJ
I was diagnosed with PMDD in 2014 and was put on Estrogen gels with testosterone and progesterone tablets and it really helped me to feel myself again. It seemed to only work for so long, I am currently 6 weeks into zoladex injections and I am yet to feel much benefit from it. After the first injection I felt awful after two weeks and wasn’t due to be PMDD-ing, a week after my second injection I felt the same. Is this normal at first? I think a hysterectomy would cure me but I am worried I wouldn’t be allowed if these injections do not work. I also worry that hysterectomy wouldn’t work but I have no other options as I’ve tried everything else. I really need to find some hope 😦
I’ve not heard of this reaction before, but I’d suggest giving the zoladex longer (at least 3 months?). I suggest posting this in the various facebook PMDD groups too. You could request a switch to the drug Decapeptyl. Here’s a link I came across re switching (for endo, not PMDD): https://healthunlocked.com/endometriosis-uk/posts/656718/zoladex-decapeptyl-sandrena-gel
Just wanted to add my experience I was a sufferer for most of my adult life and mis diagnosed as depression. I had constant abdominal pain which was also mis diagnosed irritable bowel (turned out my overy was fused to my bowel!).
I struggled monthly with spiralling mood swings, pain and at its worst suisidal thoughts. I would if I were very lucky have a few days a month where I felt nearly normal.
I self medicated for many years with the depot pill injection which shuts down the overies and stoped some of the symptoms making life a little easier until I became severely estrogen deficient and had to stop them too.
I finally got my gynaecologist to diagnose me correctly around 3 years ago and started the process of zoledex injections to prove that was the problem which took a little while to kick in and was not without its side effects BUT I still felt like a human again!!
I’m now 18 months post full hysterectomy with removal of both overies which were in a mess fused either to my bowel or Fallopian tube. I have eostrogen gel daily and I feel AMAZING!!
Ladies it was by far the best thing I have ever done and I just wish I had dug my heels in years ago as it could have saved me an awful lot of heartache and pain.
Hi, I’m 31 and have had 4 children. I suffer from PMDD very badly. I feel great when my estrogen levels are high: I eat healthy, I clean, cook, organize and I even enjoy arts and crafts type activities. I exercise and have plenty of energy. My body slims down to look sexy. But when my hormones drop, life is hell. I can’t eat healthy, but can’t stop eating. I gain ten pounds. I can’t get off the sofa to do anything. I’m sooooo fatigued. And then there’s the deep pain, inside somewhere. It feels like something hurts, and I could cry all the time. It hurts so bad, I’d rather not live. There’s no sense of well being. I have found that supplementing with the amino acid Tryptophan helps with the sadness, actuallly. It raises serotonin levels in the brain. But I don’t know what could help me with my fatigue and food cravings? I’m wondering if getting a hysterectomy, and then supplementing with premarin would help. I’m worried about aging prematurely. I’m worried about not having enough testosterone. I would like to continue my love life with my husband. I want to feel like I do when I’m in the “Venus” phase, I want that feeling every day. I feel vibrant and feminine. Radiating and energetic. Even ambitious. Would a hysterectomy with estrogen replacement therapy do that for me?
Hello, I’ve suffered greatly from endometriosis/PMS since basically my first cycle. I’ve tried many different treatments: laproscopic surgery, Lupron, birth control, anti-depressants, progesterone, acupuncture and therapy to help ease tough symptoms. Thankfully, since having two children, (and quite possibly the effect of Lupron before having children), endometriosis has gotten much better. However, since having children, my PMS symptoms have become PMDD symptoms. I’ve been in contact with my OB regarding said symptoms and was recently told that a hysterectomy would not help me because birth control/progesterone treatments have not helped me, and that is what an h will do: shutting down the ovaries/hormones. Can anyone attest to this statement? Has anyone had a h after trying bc treatments and felt better? I feel discouraged by this….. nothing new though, I was told at seventeen while rushed to the ER in agonizing cramps that I was just being an irrational teenager. This same doctor informed me that I probably had endometriosis, but that we should wait a few years to see if the symptoms got better: they got much worse! PMDD for me can be summed up by one word: HELL.
I had a radical hysterectomy ( they took everything) but I am still getting the PMS…my doctor said it would take a while before it would all straighten out. Was your PMS gone right away or did it take a few months. I was so hoping that this was all over…And I am on Premarin but it just isn’t any better.
Hi, my PMS was gone before the operation as I did a trial on GNRH analogues for 6 months (I think) as a test, ie to shut down my ovaries, plus HRT. Give the HRT more time to kick in.
I suggest you post on the NAPS forum too.
I wish you all the best.
Hi, thank you all for the informative info. I’m 54, had a total hysterectomy at 34 after my 2nd child and ( 7 ) surgeries from ages 18-28 as a result of endometriosis and a couple cysts. I had no clue what a hysterectomy would do to me emotionally, I became clinically depressed and lost my marriage and job., so a year after the surgery they put me on Prozac & Premarin. I have not taken hormones for 10 years. ANYWAY, i came to this site because of ongoing pain in my right side (that feels like when I had ovarian cysts that burst). I do not have any health insurance so I kept trying to ignore the pain until now. Im always exhausted, depressed and have awful night sweats and (although i have no sex drive whatsoever) sex is still painful. I thought it was impossible to go through menopause TWICE?? . I just thought I was going crazy. I did ask an ER MD if he would prescribe some hormones like progesterone/estrogen .. He said no, I was prob over menopause so there would be no point. But if what I’ve read is true, then it IS possible I’m going through “something”? How do I know how to begin as I will be paying everything cash?
I’d appreciate any feedback/suggestions. Thank you SO very much!
Hi Hilary, I’m sorry I can’t help. I recommend that you post on the HysterSisters forum.
Hello
I just wanted to write to you and so thank you sooo much for creating this website! It is wonderful and has so much information on to help others out there! I too have extreme PMDD, amongst other health problems.
I have tried everything. I have been to Professor Studd a few years ago and went on the Oestrogen gel and testosterone therapy. This did not stop ovulation however which I’m told is unusual. I came off this treatment and tried other methods such as the pill etc. I finally found an amazing Dr called Dr Dickson at Rochdale hospital in Manchester. He is simply amazing! He listened to me and took me seriously. I had zoladex treatment with him on the NHS. I have oestrogen patches and a mirena coil in also. As this has made me feel a lot better I have managed to have a hysterectomy booked for a few months time!
I am only 30 and have no children but I am totally sure this is right for me. Like you have said you wanted your life back and I totally feel the same! I am unable to do anything hardly for at least 2 weeks a month! It severely affects my work and social life and puts pressure on my relationship with my husband!
I plan to recover and then try and adopt! There is no way if left like this I would be well enough to care for a child. I can’t even hardly care form myself for half of the month! This makes the choice easy! I did have to face questioning from the doctors like yourself and am expecting more to come before my surgery! I am however counting the weeks down! I know it won’t be easy but it’s worth it for a chance of normal life again finally!
Thank you so much for your help. Your website helps me realise I am not the only one out there feeling this way and that I am doing the right thing! x
I have battled with PMDD for as long as I can remember, & I decided today I would have a hysterectomy due to it. I hope it eliminates all symptoms totally.