I think (hope) doctors today have the mindset of sparing what organs they can. I've read/heard arguments on both sides of the story. Here's some info from the wall street journal health journal: Cutting Less More doctors are challenging the convention of removing the cervix during a hysterectomy. Here's why: * Pap smears have sharply reduced the incidence of cervical cancer. * Sparing the cervix reduces the risk of bladder damage. * Some doctors say it may improve sexual function. Some 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. every year, making it the second-most common women's surgery after Caesarean section. It is done to remove cancers of the uterus or cervix, or more commonly to treat a painful condition called endometriosis or because of noncancerous uterine growths called fibroids. Prior to 1940, nearly all hysterectomies preserved the cervix because it was easier and safer given the lack of antibiotics and blood banks. But by the 1960s, removing the cervix, viewed as a cancer preventative at a time when Pap smears were still fairly new, became standard. Now the tide appears to be turning. In 2006, 9.7% of U.S. inpatient hysterectomies, which account for more than 90% of the procedures, preserved the cervix, compared with just 1.7% a decade earlier, according to federal data. ------- Just sharing that info, not saying they are right. It's something anyone considering a hysterectomy should think about. I'm just thankful that we have alternatives to an actual hysterectomy these days. tina

The following is the Q&A on Late Menopause: Q:"Are there any advantages to still having periods at the age of 56? Is there a benefit to late menopause, or is it better to undergo it earlier? "  Rosemary, Pennsylvania A: Having a late menopause (menopause after the age of around 55) is a double-edged sword. There's some evidence that a later menopause carries a decreased risk of coronary heart disease, but there may also be a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. However, the associations between these health conditions and menopause aren't very strong. The other good news is that there are ways to avoid many health problems  such as doing regular exercise, following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and so forth. There is an association between menopause and smoking  smokers often have an earlier menopause. You are probably a nonsmoker, though, which is also good for your health. Keep in mind too that 56 is well within the normal age range for menopause, though it's toward the upper end of the spectrum. So you have nothing to worry about right now. Last Updated: 08/04/2008 JoAnn Manson, MD, is a professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and chief of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

I am 55 and have been on birth control pills for the last three years. Doctor says I should get off of them because I shouldn't be taking them at my age. I have enjoyed a period, symptom free, glorious three years. Reading this blog Im terrified to go off of them. I dont want all of this to start again. I may get off of them for a few months and get the blood test to see where I am hormonally. I have had friends who have gone through menopause on the pill - gotten to the other side and were symptom free. My doctor also wants me to have an ablation because of my age. After reading about that theres no way. There is NOTHING WRONG with me. I have a bmi of 19%, I count my macros and do Crossfit four times a week. I dont want to goof myself up. Clueless what to do. Oh and family history wise.....my mother was 40 when I was born and she's 94 now and still kickin! Help!!

Hello All, I am currently in menopause stage. I have all the symptoms listed, I had suffer over 3 years now. Recently I feel better by using DIM for stabilized my hormone naturally and using supreme royal jelly to help my sleep. (this will knock you out within 1 hr, this is all natural and have a lot of protein but it quite expensive) along with this you have to use stress relieve supplement to help your adrenal. I have no problem with the dryness. My skin still glowing ,everyone thought I am in 40 but I am in mid 50. I only have mild hot flash sometimes if I forget to take DIM. Also keep up with vitamin supplements daily. It is hard to digest all of these supplements but it will help. i hope this will be informative for everybody that have to suffer. I