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.