Do you think a hysterectomy will help with my depression and anxiety?

Question

I am convinced that my "mental health issues" are directly related to my hormones. I am 40 and done having children. Anyone heard of such a thing?

Answer 1

I'M 36 AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE SAME "MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES" THAT YOU ARE DESCRIBING. THREE YEARS AGO, I HAD A HYSTERECTOMY (NOT FOR THAT THOUGH), AND IT HASN'T CHANGED ANY OF THOSE ISSUES. I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN WORSE THE LAST 6 MONTHS. MY HORMONES ARE SO OUT OF WHACK RIGHT NOW THAT I CAN'T STAND TO BE AROUND MYSELF!!! I'M BITCHY, MOODY, MEAN, ETC. I CAN'T SLEEP, I'M ACTUALLY VICIOUS!!! I COULD KILL A GRIZZLY BEAR WITH A BAG OF MARSHMALLOWS AND A LOAF OF BREAD. (I'M NOT EXAGGERATING EITHER.)

I'VE BEEN ON HORMONES FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS WITH NO RELIEF. I'M STARTING A NEW ONE TODAY. WISH ME LUCK. I'M THINKING THAT SOME ANTI-DEPRESSANTS MIGHT BE A GOOD THING TO ADD TO MY DIET RIGHT NOW TOO....

AS FAR AS THE HYSTERECTOMY ITSELF GOES, I DO NOT REGRET IT. NOT HAVING A PERIOD AND ALL OF THE PMS ASSOCIATED WITH ONE EVERY MONTH IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.

SO FOR YOUR ANSWER, I WOULD SAY THAT IT WON'T CHANGE YOUR "MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES" BUT IT WILL HELP IN OTHER WAYS. SO I WISH YOU LUCK ON WHATEVER YOU DECIDE HERE.

Answer 2

There is no proof that a hysterectomy helps with depression and anxiety. It could help, make matters worse, or make no difference at all. Everyone's body is different, and everyone's body changes differently following a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy should not be done unless it's necessary for other reasons. If your doctor is encouraging this, please get a second opinion.

Although reproductive hormone levels can affect depression and anxiety, they're generally not the root cause. Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are more likely to be affecting depression and anxiety.

Answer 3

Hormones do play a part in how you feel - - - physically and mentally. But there are other ways to combat depression and anxiety rather than have a total hysterectomy. Plus I believe in keeping those ovaries if there's nothing wrong with them. Are you already seeing a doctor for the depression? If not, PLEASE, do your homework first. A doctor will just write a prescription for an anti-depressant as a quick-fix. If it isn't serious depression, you would be better off to find alternative "natural" ways to deal with it.

Another possiblity is asking your doctor about NovaSure. It is an alternative to a hysterectomy and is done through outpatient surgery. Heavy bleeding each month was draining my energy and that in itself was depressing me. I had it done almost 3 months ago and I have more energy now and feel better.

Answer 4

I am 30 and I had a hysterectomy but they left in my ovaries. I have a hormone inbalance. They tested my hormone level and found out what hormone was low and gave me a suplement. Not many doctors will do a hysterectomy without it being medically necessary. Mine waited a year before he did it and he tried everything and that was the last resort. I am young but I have 3 kids and had my tubes tied so the kid thing did not bother me. For some reason when I had my hysterecomy it was emotinally hard cause I felt like less of a woman with out a uterus or cervix. But that is me it may not be like that with you. Talk to your doctor and see what they say. But think about it seriously. It is a major operation with life long side effects

Answer 5

Please don't have a hysterectomy hoping it will cure your anxiety!!!! A hysterectomy in itself can cause many problems. You would go into menopause (which is known to cause depression, brain fog, anxiety etc). Most women find sex less pleasurable after a hysterectomy. This alone could lead to major issues. See a good mental health provider and maybe try mood stabilizing medication. Good luck.

Answer 6

I also had depression. I don't think that having a hysterectomy will solve your problems, it may only make them worse. You may want to consult a doctor and ask him about anti depressents. Paxel is a good one. You won't care what is going on in your life. My husband called it the happy pill. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I had a hysterectomy at the age of 40 and that was when my mental health problems began! I don't think a Dr. would preform a needless hysterectomy.You would have to have female problems and not mental problems to warrant a hysterectomy!

Answer 8

My hysterectomy made my depression worse because now my hormone balance is WAY off..I doubt a doc would even do one for that reason..not a good one anyway...you are talking major surgery with months of recovery and risk of infection..scarring, etc. too many alternatives...from someone who has had a hyster. I am telling you that it will DOUBLE your anxiety and your depression not help

Answer 9

You could be opening a whole new can of worms on that one.
Having a hysterectomy doesn't remove hormonal imbalances it just changes them.
Have you spoken to a therapist or psychiatrist?
I hope you would consult a mental heath professional before electing to have surgery.
Best wishes.

Answer 10

Before you consider a hysterectomy, check out simpler options.
Please visit Radiant Recovery dot com http://www.radiantrecovery.com and take the quiz or read The Community Forum and the Special Resources.

Doing the RR program has eliminated depression and anxiety for many thousands of people of all ages. Your hostess there has studied some good research on hormones, too!