I am a high-school teacher in Gurgaon, and here I share my story of experiencing severe menopausal symptoms and what happens when your doctor doesn’t listen to you. In my late 30s I started experiencing painful, heavy bleeding. I went to see a well-known Gynaecologist in Gurgaon and she diagnosed me with endometriosis. I was advised to get a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy – removing my uterus and both ovaries. Mentally, I felt relieved at the thought of never having to deal with those painful periods again. My doctor told me that my life would “get a lot better” and that I would “feel stronger” once I had the surgery. I remember clearly that she did not tell me much else about what I could expect with life without my uterus and ovaries.
And then, only a few days after the surgery, it started. I would feel extremely hot, and start sweating a lot. I’d feel almost paralysed for a few moments, and then I would be fine. I never knew when an episode would happen, and it could be several times a day. I’d be at work, and suddenly have an episode in the classroom – I couldn’t go out, or even stop teaching! And imagine having to explain this to my class! I just couldn’t figure out what was happening. It felt like I had gotten rid of one problem, only to be burdened by another! Some of my colleagues at work suggested that maybe this was due to some vitamin deficiencies. So, I got my blood tests done. But the reports were fine – no particular deficiencies. Meanwhile the debilitating episodes kept happening – I would feel like my skin was on a fire for a few seconds, and then I would be fine. I never knew when the next episode would happen, and dreaded it.
I had a suspicion this had something to do with my surgery. So, I decided to do some research on my own, and after some reading online I realised that what I was experiencing was hot flashes! Apparently, they were a very common symptom of menopause, but I had never even heard of this term. I went back to the same Gynaecologist (who had performed the surgery) to consult. She told me that I’d be fine in a few days, and that this was something I should just “endure for some time”.
But if you have experienced hot flashes, you know that it is not something that can simply be “endured”. I was miserable! And the doctor’s dismissive attitude towards my symptoms only made me feel worse. The symptoms weren’t just physical, it was draining me mentally too. I was only 40, but felt like a 60-year-old. I actually started having dark thoughts … I didn’t want to live anymore. I somehow carried on for the sake of my son, but I knew I could not keep up like this.
I decided to find someone else, hopefully a doctor who understood what I was going through! I found Dr. Ankita Mittal after some research online for menopause specialists in Gurgaon. She explained to me how removing my uterus and ovaries had led to what’s called an ‘induced menopause’. An induced menopause can occur as a result of treatments like chemotherapy, or as in my case, due to the removal of ovaries. Dr. Ankita explained to me how removing my ovaries meant that my body was no longer producing estrogen, and that was the reason why I was getting these symptoms. I cannot describe the relief I felt at finally being heard, and getting a clear reason for my suffering.
Dr. Ankita prescribed hormone therapy for me. I take a pill a day. About a month into the treatment, my hot flashes reduced, and eventually completely vanished. I have been on HRT for a few months now, and I feel so much better! No more hot flashes, no more mental drain and no dark thoughts. Now I actually feel better and stronger, and more hopeful about my life!
Note: This blog is based on a real story shared by our patient. The story has been shared with their consent, with some edits for clarity and/or readability.
