AT WHAT AGE DID YOU STOP HAVING A - Page 5

novamc1 · ‎07-02-2015

you wrote:<< If you truly had a hysterectomy, why would you have gone through menopause? There was no menopause following a hysterectomy for mom or any of my friends having such surgeries. They do have mammograms annually.>>

___________________________________________________

I had a hysterectomy at a relatively young age not long after birth

of second child. I did not have ovaries removed. Removal of uterus only is called "a complete hysterectomy".

Therefore, no menopause until I got old enough for ovaries to completely dry up and not even be seen during any type of imaging.. I was old by then and went through meno at a normal age.

For reasons stated earlier, I do not have regular mammograms--------too much radiation exposure is just too much if not indicated as necesary.

Any suggestion that I take hormones (ever) would be a definite NO for me. I have too many friends who started taking those at a young age and wound up with cancer.

THESE ARE MY OPINIONS ONLY. Everyone else needs to follow a doctor's advice or their own opinions.

BirkiLady · ‎02-22-2015

@novamc1 Thank you for your kind reply. I'm certainly aware of the type of hysterectomies. My periods simply stopped at 51; never went through the annoying symptoms of menopause. When first married, I tried the Pill and was unable to take it due to epilepsy. It caused break-though seizures. As a result, I've never tried any HRT.

After reading the replies, I will speak with my PCP about continued mammograms. I have a history of many lumpectomies, which are a cause for ongoing concern.

Money screams; wealth whispers.

tsavorite · ‎03-09-2010

@Ladylaughsalot wrote:
My last pap was done two years ago (age 63). My cervix has completely closed, so my dr wasn’t able to do one. I was told if I haven’t had any abnormal pap results in the last ten years that it’s okay to discontinue getting them. Ask your dr.

What do you mean completely closed up?? Is this something that happens as we get older??

I am 53 and in meno since 51....my doctor said they recommend paps with the standard HPV test every 3 yrs now and that's how it's been for awhile now. They do want yearly mamo but I have been doing them every 2 or 3 yrs as I find them very painful (I do have implants too) she seems to be fine with this as no family history of breast cancer.

bathina · ‎03-14-2010

@cbrite wrote:
Ewww imo.....tmi

When you're a grown-up, you'll understand the importance of this conversation.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@BirkiLady wrote:
As long as you are sexually active, shouldn't you be having an annual pap test and exam? Shouldn't mammograms be done annually at any age?

Great questions, but am I the only one still going at age 70, with plans to continue for many years ahead?

@BirkiLady @tends2dogs

Okay, maybe I'm missing something here, so anyone please feel free to jump in and comment ......

Isn't a pap smear a check for cervical cancer? If so, why would being (or not being) sexually active matter?

Are women here thinking if you make it to 60 or 65 and haven't already developed cancer, then you can be assured you'll never get cancer? Where did THAT crazy idea come from?

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

My Dr told me a few years ago ,I didn't need them ,but to continue with mamograms. I am 71. It might be different for you .because of your family history of health issues. It's best to let your Dr .help you decide this

mimilucy · ‎10-31-2015

Stopped when my sex life ended (sadly that was age 52).

tends2dogs · ‎05-08-2010

@tsavorite wrote:
@Ladylaughsalot wrote:
My last pap was done two years ago (age 63). My cervix has completely closed, so my dr wasn’t able to do one. I was told if I haven’t had any abnormal pap results in the last ten years that it’s okay to discontinue getting them. Ask your dr.
What do you mean completely closed up?? Is this something that happens as we get older??

I am 53 and in meno since 51....my doctor said they recommend paps with the standard HPV test every 3 yrs now and that's how it's been for awhile now. They do want yearly mamo but I have been doing them every 2 or 3 yrs as I find them very painful (I do have implants too) she seems to be fine with this as no family history of breast cancer.

@tsavorite Not sure if the medical term is "completely closed up" but whatever it is, that is what it feels like. I think there is a small percentage of women that experience this. It makes it difficult if not impossible to have a pap test. I have gone in before when they couldn't do one because of this. For many many years they used a child's speculum. I think it is from a major loss of hormones. No amount of lubrication helps. That is all the info I am going to give here, but don't worry about it if it hasn't happened to you.

FYI You should consider having a thermogram if you have implants. A mammogram can ruin them...as in, burst them or misshape them.

HTH

Fear not Brothers and Sisters! I have read THE BOOK..........we win!!!

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

I was always awful keeping up with them - shame on me. I'd have stretches of time where I'd be good but longer stretches of time when I wasn't. I ended up with some issues in latter end of my mid 50's that resulted in me needing a complete hysterectomy. Without my lady parts, there was no longer a need to continue.

tsavorite · ‎03-09-2010

@tends2dogs wrote:
@tsavorite wrote:
@Ladylaughsalot wrote:
My last pap was done two years ago (age 63). My cervix has completely closed, so my dr wasn’t able to do one. I was told if I haven’t had any abnormal pap results in the last ten years that it’s okay to discontinue getting them. Ask your dr.
What do you mean completely closed up?? Is this something that happens as we get older??

I am 53 and in meno since 51....my doctor said they recommend paps with the standard HPV test every 3 yrs now and that's how it's been for awhile now. They do want yearly mamo but I have been doing them every 2 or 3 yrs as I find them very painful (I do have implants too) she seems to be fine with this as no family history of breast cancer.
@tsavorite Not sure if the medical term is "completely closed up" but whatever it is, that is what it feels like. I think there is a small percentage of women that experience this. It makes it difficult if not impossible to have a pap test. I have gone in before when they couldn't do one because of this. For many many years they used a child's speculum. I think it is from a major loss of hormones. No amount of lubrication helps. That is all the info I am going to give here, but don't worry about it if it hasn't happened to you.

FYI You should consider having a thermogram if you have implants. A mammogram can ruin them...as in, burst them or misshape them.

HTH

@tends2dogs Thank you for the information....I will ask my doctor about the thermogram instead...never heard of it! Anything that makes it less painful is best.