Gastric Bypass Induced Menopause!

m1randa55
on 6/17/15 8:25 pm - Brantford, Canada

I am 49 years old and I had RNY in February 2014. I have lost 140 lbs to date. Before surgery I had regular monthly periods, increasingly heavy as I got to my mid 40's. Upon having surgery, my periods stopped completely and hot flashes started about 4 months in. It has been over 15 months since my periods stopped. The females in my family usually enter menopause early to mid 50's. My 55 year old sister has not yet entered this stage. I had never read about this in any of my pre-surgery research, which is why I am mentioning it now for your consideration. I have read a few articles that state that all types of gastric bypass reduce estrogen levels. While this is not an issue for me as I have had my children, and welcome menopause...ugh, in spite of the symptoms - I am wondering how this affects younger female patients that are in their child bearing years. For all readers, did your surgeon discuss this with you? Any comments or information is welcomed. Thank you.

Bev from Brantford, Ontario, Canada RNY - Feb.27, 2014 @ St. Joe's Hamilton - Diabetes in Remission & Blood Pressure normal now. YAY!

HW - 303 lbs CW(pre op) - 274.5  at 5 months out 202.5 lbs Current weight on Aug.18/14 is 195 lbs May 2015 at goal - 160 pounds

T Hagalicious Rebel
Brown

on 6/18/15 2:52 am - Brooklyn
VSG on 04/25/14

I've never heard of wls causing early menopause. I suspect something else might've been going on since you've mentioned a change in your flow once you got into your mid 40's. I'm pretty sure that surgeons would've mentioned that wls could cause that, which leads me to believe that it doesn't., or at least there's no science to prove that it does. You were however in the age range to be pre menopausal.

I haven't had any change in my flow, nor do I have any pre menopausal symptoms, but I know menopause is rt around the corner. So not looking forward to that. I'm 45 & I've had my surgery a little more than a year ago.

No one surgery is better than the other, what works for one may not work for another. T-Rebel

https://fivedaymeattest.com/

H.A.L.A B.
on 6/18/15 4:52 am

Cholesterol is a precursor to make hormone in our bodies: cortisol, sex hormone, etc. When Cholesterol gets very low- our body may choose to stop making sex hormone. 

A after my GB removal surgery, app 6 months post op RNY  my total Cholesterol droped to under 100...I went into instant menopause.  Shock of surgery, plus low cholesterol.. 

Until my GB removal - my periods were very regular. 

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."

Zee Starrlite
on 6/18/15 12:37 am, edited 6/18/15 12:45 am

May I ask how old you were HalaB? And you had regular periods prior? No female issues prior?


3/30/2005 Lap Band installed  12/20/2010  Lap Band REMOVED  
6/6/2011 Vertical SLEEVE Gastrectomy

H.A.L.A B.
on 6/18/15 7:40 am

I had my RNY when I was 48... hit my menopause early at 48.. I had to go on HRT because my symptoms were horrible. All my hormones - estrogen - progesterone and testosterone were very very low.. 

My sister had hers at 52, and had a very mild symptoms..

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."

Zee Starrlite
on 6/18/15 7:59 am

Thanks.  I guess I'm getting scared because I'd still would like to be pregnant at my extremely advanced maternal age :).


3/30/2005 Lap Band installed  12/20/2010  Lap Band REMOVED  
6/6/2011 Vertical SLEEVE Gastrectomy

Citizen Kim
on 6/18/15 5:34 am - Castle Rock, CO

I h ad my RNY 11 years ago, but didn't go into menopause until 4 years ago, aged 48.   I don't think surgery had anything to do with it

Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist

rocky513
on 6/18/15 6:28 am - WI

The clue you give us is that your periods became increasingly heavier before surgery.  That is a sign of peri-menopause.  You had already started the process of menopause.  I started with peri-menopause in my late thirties.  I had my period for 3 weeks out of every month and didn't bleed for one week.  I was firmly into menopause when I opted to get a hysterectomy because of excessive bleeding.  I was 41 years old.

Just because your family started menopause later, does not mean that you will too.  I think that you were starting menopause and the hormone dumping that comes with rapid weight loss may have sped up the process.  WLS did not cause you to enter menopause early.

HW 270 SW 236 GW 160 CW 145 (15 pounds below goal!)

VBG Aug. 7, 1986, Revised to RNY Nov. 18, 2010

Zee Starrlite
on 6/18/15 7:33 am

Even though some of the females in your family have gone into menopause in their mid-fifties does not mean you can't go into menopause at the age of 49.  There are so many variables in our female workings.  My grandma had my uncle at age 47 back in the day.  I pray and hope I still have fertility but genetics is no guarantee. These things wind down to the individual.

I have friends who have gone into menopause at 26 and 38 - the 38 year old was devastated as she thought she'd be able to conceive.  The 26 year old thank God was able to have 2 American adoptions and feels full on motherhood.

 

Your age is right for the change.  I have never heard of gastric bypass inducing anyone into menopause - infact most people say that it has made their periods regular and gave them fertility when they had none.

 

Thank God you've had your kids.  Just provide your body with all it needs to be healthy.  They say Black Cohosh works wonders.  Build muscle, eat healthy foods etc.

Best,

Layla


3/30/2005 Lap Band installed  12/20/2010  Lap Band REMOVED  
6/6/2011 Vertical SLEEVE Gastrectomy

Ready2goNOW
on 6/18/15 7:54 am

I have to agree w/the posters who believe there is no relation to the surgery/menopause.

As stated earlier peri-menopause is a very lengthy process for most that can start 10 years before your periods stop. Usually the signs of peri-menopause are much heavier bleeding, missed or late periods in someone who was regular, more cramping & clotting. While an 'assault' to our bodies...like surgery...could possibly hasten a process already underway I sincerely doubt it. I think it was just coincidential.

But I am not a doctor...it'd be interesting to hear if the medical community has found a link. Ask your surgeon.

Good luck. Been there done that!

Kathy

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