Your Hysterectomy Experiences

[Roy]

Hey y'all. I've been talking to my doctor about having a hysterectomy—as one does—and have a few questions that she doesn't know how to answer for a trans guys. I've read all the posts I could find on the forum that talked about hystos, but I'd like to ask you about your experiences.

I apologize for using some more female-oriented medical terms at times, I'm hoping it'll improve clarity. If you'd like to answer, use whatever language you would normally use. If you haven't had a hysterectomy but still have an answer to one of the questions, I'd love to hear from you too.

1. If you had a hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy, what was your experience of "surgical menopause" afterwards? I'm curious to know how taking T affects the symptoms of estrogen loss/menopause (hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, brain fog/forgetfulness, urinary incontinence, etc.), if it affects them at all. I'm especially curious about your experience if you had menopausal symptoms both before and after ovary removal, since I know some guys get them after a few years on T.

2. If you had a hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy, do you use (or have you used) any sort of topical estrogen cream (for increased lubrication or to keep your vaginal/urethral tissues in good shape) or low dose estrogen treatment? If you use or used estrogen cream, did you notice any feminizing effects at all? Or reversal of masculinizing effects?

3. If you have front hole sex, what differences have you noticed in your experience with that after hysterectomy? If you aren't a receptive partner for front hole sex but use a "strapless strap-on" such as a Share or Feeldoe, how has your experience with that changed? Please mention whether you've had your cervix removed.

Thanks for your help, guys!

PS: If anyone is curious, I have fibroids and therefore my hysterectomy should be covered by insurance. That's the main reason I'm planning on getting it done sooner rather than later.

[SWNID]

I had a complete hysto (w/ bilateral oopherectomy, cervix removed too)
1. I am on T. Have not noticed any menopause symptoms before or after the surgery.
2.I have not used estrogen cream. Some doctors ask their patients to use it but mine did not. Also, based on what I have read, the cream would not be enough to have negative effect on your transition.
3. I do not use it for sex, but I don't think there would be a problem if I did, because I have not had any pain in that area and my clit is as sensaitive as before.

[BrotherBen]

Great questions, I'm curious to hear all the answers! Thanks for this post.

[Sebryn]

1. Everything is gone, including the cervix. I'm on T. I did experience a bit of menopause symptoms after surgery. I'd say about 2 months after there abouts is when I started getting hot flashes, similar to when I got my T levels up to the full dose. Beside the annoying hot flashes I got no other symptoms of menopause. I have no symptoms of menopause currently. Heh the ovaries fought a good fight but in the end T prevails.

2. No estrogen. My endo said it wouldn't be necessary and it's a use it or lose it situation more or less with the tissues there. I've heard of some guys using lube if things get dry down there but haven't had to yet. Now my mother has had a total radical hysterectomy a couple years before I had mine for health reasons and she had been on the vaginal cream. It is pretty much useless for a woman so that might equal being alright for a transman but it's something you'll have to discuss with a qualified hormone doctor. My mother ended up having to go on a HRT program with a compound with combined and balanced hormones a lot like what our trans sisters have to do.

3. Sex is different now but still good. Better for me since I had a deathly fear of accidently getting pregnant. I tend to enjoy it more now. The orgasms feel different now but are just as good as before. It did take some relearning to get the pleasure and orgasms to the level they were before but that was to be expected.

Any other questions feel free to PM me any time.

I had a robotic procedure so I have very minimal scarring. I'd recommend it highly if you can find a surgeon who is well versed in the technique. Fast recovery too.

[LordKAT]

I had a complete hysto (w/ bilateral oopherectomy, cervix removed too)
1. I am on T. Have not noticed any menopause symptoms before or after the surgery.
2.I have not used estrogen cream. Some doctors ask their patients to use it but mine did not. Also, based on what I have read, the cream would not be enough to have negative effect on your transition.
3. I do not use it for sex, but I don't think there would be a problem if I did, because I have not had any pain in that area and my clit is as sensaitive as before.

Ditto exactly.

[Tossu-sama]

1. I didn't notice any menopause-related symptoms at all but then again, my body seems to respond to hormone level changes very discreetly or not at all. It has made it difficult to determine the right time between T shots for me.
But if there's one thing I noticed is that my voice seemed to drop a notch very soon after the next shot after hysto!

2. I haven't had need for this kinda stuff so I'll just pass.

3. Nothing here either. |D

As for background, my hysto also covered the removal of ovaries but I still have the extra hole left.