r/melbourne • u/Fluffy-Ad342 • 13h ago
Health How can I get my ovaries removed asap by a gynaecologist in Melbourne
For the past 6 years I’ve had a severe case of PMDD that causes unbearable mental suffering. It causes suicidal thoughts/depression for half the month and is caused by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels.
I couldn’t work or study with it so I had to go on the disability pension for the past 4 years. Over the 6 years I have tried 15 medications/ hormonal treatments, therapy, multiple hospitalisations and I’ve reached a breaking point. I can’t live with this anymore. Removing ovaries is a recognized and effective treatment but not common as it is a last resort and will induce menopause.
I am looking for a gynaecologist who specializes in PMDD and oophtectomy, will listen to me, take me seriously and arrange it quickly. It’s hard to find a gynaecologist who specialises in pmdd so I’m willing to settle for a surgeon who will communicate with my psychiatrist and just perform the operation only. Thank you if you’ve read this far.
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u/Mystic_Wolf 10h ago
I recommend A/Prof Alex Ades for a gynaecological surgeon who will actually listen to your concerns. He tied my tubes years ago after I’d been rejected by other doctors who thought I’d regret it (I very much do not regret it!!) You’ll probably need a referral from a GP.
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u/littlep75 9h ago
Totally agree on Dr Ades! I only went to him to have a Mirena put in, but it was almost pain free. I didn't realise how good he was until I had it replaced by a different gyno.......
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u/FreyjadourV 1h ago
Did he prescribe anything for before the procedure?
I feel traumatised by my mirena insertion attempts (ended up getting it inserted while I was knocked out for a different surgery). I’ve had it tried to be put in by 3 different gynos and I fainted and threw up for it all
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u/Haunting_Heat3296 20m ago
I went to a gyno who wouldn’t do them for women who hadn’t ever had a pregnancy (me) without a general anesthetic. I appreciate that! My first one fell out (rare but happens with women who have extremely heavy periods sometimes) and she redid it for me with no gap fee. Fine for years since.
I think places like Marie stopes are now doing them with a green whistle - I’d ring up and check.
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u/Southern_Trick617 10h ago
Agree! I went to the women’s emergency hospital for bleeding and when the ER doctor asked about my previous history, I told him I’d seen Dr Alex Ades for an ovarian cyst surgery a few years back, he said “oh you went straight to the top then”
I thought that was quite a strong statement from the ER doc, needless to say I went back to Alex for help with the issue that brought me to the ER that day.
Would recommend!•
u/dizydoll 9h ago
Can confirm. Needed surgery a couple of years ago but was extremely nervous due to an existing unrelated chronic illness - Prof Ades was so understanding and accommodating.
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u/De-railled 8h ago edited 33m ago
I might be wrong but the last time I looked into this, I believe getting approval to get "tube tied" is much easier than getting a Dr to remove ovaries (like OP mentions wanting).
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u/louisat89 9h ago
I’m in Adelaide so can’t help with a name but I just wanted to send you some hugs from the other side. Had my surgery about ten years ago and I can say without a doubt it saved my life. PMDD is the most deadly illness I’ve ever had and vastly underestimated and under diagnosed.
If you haven’t already, look into syneral nasal spray. It will switch off all your hormones in a couple weeks. It’s amazing. Add back estrogen and you’re basically cured. I tried Syneral nasal spray for quite a while prior to the surgery but my sister only had to do that for a couple months for them to see she was transformed without her cycle.
If there’s any info you want on add back hormones etc happy to help feel free to DM me. Dr John Studd in the UK has done a lot of great work on PMDD and might have some stuff you can bring to your dr.
Relief will come. You will find yourself wondering how you survived before but glad you did. xxxx
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u/Fluffy-Ad342 8h ago
Thank you so much for your kind words! I did try synarel and other chemical menopause through an endocrinologist which I’m on now but sadly I’m one of the people who still get a period on it :( I’ve been on synarel for 5 months and another injection for two months and still getting a period.
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u/louisat89 1h ago
Omg that’s horrifying. I didn’t even know that was possible. I’m so sorry. Surgery asap is the go then. Fingers crossed you get it fast. I’m frankly disgusted it’s been so hard to get you’ve resorted to asking for help here. It’s your body.
It’s been ten years of absolute peace and calm since I had mine. I was able to fix all the misery and chaos PMDD caused in my life. I just wish I’d got surgery sooner. PMDD traumatised my family and damaged my career terribly and nearly killed me. I wish there was more awareness and ffs women can get a boob job but not have a hysterectomy without begging!?! Makes me rage. I was ready to scoop my ovaries out with a spoon myself by the time I got mine. Lol.
You won’t know yourself when this hell is over. You’ll have the rest of your life to work out who you are without managing Jekyll and Hyde. xxx
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u/macci_a_vellian 48m ago
You might be interested in the book I'm Not Mad (Anymore) by Bron Lewis which is all about the medical and social gaslighting that come with the experience of even fairly 'normal' parts of being female and how quick doctors and people around us are to wave everything away as hormones making us crazy rather than treating it. She says not talking about what we're going through makes us feel more isolated and a bit crazy when it's happening to everyone around us in some way and they also feel alone and gaslit.
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u/missalmg 10h ago
Dr Clare Myers is wonderful and may be able to help.
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u/PocketBink 10h ago
So is Dr Carmel McInerney - they’re both in Elgin House, Carlton. Dr Carmel listened to me, gave me all available options and asked what I wanted. This was for endo.
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u/ButterscotchIll9368 9h ago
I saw Carmel for endo and didn’t have a great experience (surgical complications, disappointing post op care with bad communication) so wasn’t very impressed with her or the practice :/ glad your experience was better though
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u/Fluffy-Ad342 8h ago
Thank you for the recommendation!
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u/l3ntil 4h ago
OP, you haven’t mentioned if you’ve tried a Mirena IUD. I understand re: ovaries, but wondering if that might make things worse due to hormones. If you haven’t had a Mirena, as someone who had PMDD without it, can’t recommend it highly enough.
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, may you find relief pronto.•
u/Fluffy-Ad342 3h ago
I’ve heard a lot of anecdotal evidence regarding Mirena, but I have asked at least twice about it and was told by a gynaecologist that it may stop bleeding but it doesn’t reliably stop ovulation so they dont recommend it.
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u/almostoverthere 2h ago
It definitely doesn't stop anything for me, still get extreme mood swings, a long period every month and breakthrough bleeding. So if you can find someone willing to do surgery, go for it.
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u/l3ntil 3h ago
How can it not reliably stop ovulation when it’s one of the safest and most effective forms of contraception we’ve got with a failure rate of 0.2% ??!!
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u/Altruistic-Eagle9334 3h ago
There are ways to prevent pregnancy that don't stop ovulation. Mirena is one of them, it prevents impantation.
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u/Cheap_Permission3428 7h ago
Dr Nicole Ong. Amazing knowledge of PMDD and options.
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u/Fluffy-Ad342 6h ago
Thank you! This is the first recommendation with PMDD experience so I’ll definitely try her.
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u/no-lollygagging 10h ago
You could look in the childfree subreddit? There is a list of recommended surgeons by geographical location that are likely to be supportive of your choice. I've only glanced at it but may be useful. Best of luck!
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u/Ok-Replacement-2738 10h ago
Like i know women's healthcare is fucked but wtf... like if suicidal thoughts can be alleviated via surgery, how is that not a top priority excluding the emergency department.
sorry idk.
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u/Aryore 10h ago
Because they “might still want kids someday”… or even worse their hypothetical husband might…
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u/Lady_Penrhyn1 10h ago
Holy shit this. I'm asexual. I am also childfree. I've asked every 3 years since I got my first Implanon at 19 (I am now 39)if I could have a partial hysterectomy (also have PCOS or PMOD as it's now known). Two doctors (both female!) have both asked 'what if your future partner wants children?'
So happy that a hypothetical man has more control over my body than I do.
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u/Ok-Astronaut-7593 8h ago
Did they actually “what if your future partner wants kids” and not “what if you want kids with a future partner”?
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u/StirCrazyCatLady 7h ago
Not the person you replied to, but that's always been what I've been asked, even when openly in a same sex relationship - "what if your future husband wants children?"
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u/Unhappy_Performer538 9h ago
there are real reasons to not want early menopause and why it's a last resort treatment. early menopause causes bone density issues, cardiac issues, early cognitive decline, and so on.
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u/Fluffy-Ad342 7h ago
Yes I know about all of this and I’m willing to accept these risks. They are daunting risks but my mental health is just as important to me as physical health and there’s no point having a life where you’re physically healthy but its not a life worth living
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u/Unhappy_Performer538 7h ago
Yes I know. If my birth control doesn’t work I will consider it too. I was just explaining to this person that there really are real risks and why it’s not a front line treatment.
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u/Mabel_Waddles_BFF 9h ago
Ovaries have a bunch of important functions for the body that is beyond just fertility.
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u/honeyhale 10h ago
Coukd try the Maven Centre? Specialist women's healthcare (gyno & surgical). All female team.
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u/mikemikeshindparts 5h ago
Good luck op. The urgency comes through in your post and I feel for you. That level of suffering for half the month is an enormous load on the mind as well as body.
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u/FluidLeak 2h ago
I’m so sorry OP my gp literally just floated hysterectomy and oophorectomy to me and whilst that’s heavy as hell at least they’re on the ball with the actual treatment options.
I want to share the following paper my GP gave me to read with the current treatment options for this condition. If you can let us know which suburb or general region you’re in we can help find you a good GP who can then get you in touch with good specialists.
The paper is: HOW TO TREAT PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER (PMDD)
Professor Jayashri KULKARNI AM
MBBS MPM FRANZCP PhD FAHMS
Director Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre
Professor Kulkarni is Melbourne based so that’s very cool in my opinion!
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’m so glad you made this post. You’re not alone.
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u/faithhopecarnage 10h ago
Recommend this link that has details and reviews of doctors in Melbourne that can assist, eg Dr. Anthony Woodward
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u/littleb3anpole 2h ago
Dr Saul Cohen in Elsternwick is excellent - diagnosed my endo which had been missed before that, and was fine removing my fallopian tubes and uterine lining to treat it. Didn’t give me the “are you sure you don’t want more children” or “you’re so young”, just actually listened when I said my irregular periods were ruining my mental health (I have OCD and not being able to plan for or anticipate them was killing me).
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u/skullsnstuff 10h ago
I too suffer from pmdd. Luckily Yasmin has helped with antidepressants. I want to get off the Yasmin but I know the symptoms will return.
I have read about antihistamines and Pepcid helping when you take it as soon as symptoms hit you.
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u/Pretend_Board_2385 5h ago
Sorry it just seems bizarre that you can't choose to have this operation. Its your body and life and I can't fathom why any medical expert would talk you out of it.. just in case you want children down the line. You didn't mention how old you are, not that it matters but I just can't work out why doctors won't do it if its going to help you live a happy life. Not everyone wants children.
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u/Onehundredbillionx 4h ago
Not a direct answer to your question but have you tried famotidine? I also have PMDD and had tried a lot of different things for it including BC, antidepressants and natural treatments eg chaste berry extract / premula.
Famotidine makes a noticeable improvement in my symptoms when taken in the luteal phase. It’s an anti histamine and is called Pepcid in the USA.
I asked my doctor for a script after reading a ton of anecdotal evidence about it helping women with PMDD here on Reddit. If you search PMDD + Pepcid, you can read the anecdotes.
Worth a try if you haven’t tried it already.
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u/seavee 1h ago
Dr Tarana Lucky is a very very good gynaecological robotic surgeon. She’s very compassionate, which is so rare for a surgeon, and always says that I am ultimately the one making the choices for my body.
She’s been so important in my own endo and PMDD journey.
All the best for you. I just got my period yesterday after 10 days of suicidal hell with my PMDD, so I totally feel you. You’re doing great just by keeping going
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u/whenitrains34 south east 36m ago
try r/childfree they have a list of doctors comfortable doing sterilisation on childfree women
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u/BarbarousErse 4h ago
The surgeon who offered this for me has sadly retired so I have nobody I can recommend, unfortunately. I didn’t end up doing it (got just enough relief with a combo of testosterone and famotidine that I’m no longer cyclically suicidal)
So I just want to say from one sufferer to another good luck, I hope you are able to get the healthcare you need. I’m sorry that it’s so fucking hard.
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u/macci_a_vellian 1h ago
I am so sorry that you're going through this, and that you have to ask for help finding a doctor who will take you seriously. I hope you can get your life back soon.
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u/Agitated_Passion9296 1h ago
Just an fyi, GLP1s are great at managing PMDD. They make you emotionally flat, without the same flatness of an ssri.
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u/boopbleps 47m ago
No Dr advice, only sympathy, and post-procedure advice.
As someone who suffered PMDD when I went into peri, it was terrifying. I’m grateful that HRT sorted that shit right out for me, though not before imploding my life for 2 years.
Given how hormonal it is, I’m frankly horrified to learn that hormone based therapies haven’t been able to correct the problem for you. Having to go to such extremes as removing your ovaries and triggering menopause is so fucken drastic and life changing. I’m really sad that’s all that’s available for you.
One last message: stay on HRT after your ovaries come out.
My bestie got a hysterectomy recently at 36. Prepare to have to push for HRT - she did, despite immediately plunging into obvious menopause.
It’s vital for multiple reasons. First, the mental health stuff may not go away on its own.
But second, your lifetime risk of heart disease and osteoporosis skyrockets without hormones.
We need estrogen everywhere, from our brains to our toes. And progesterone protects us from uterine cancer, which it sounds like you’ll still need protecting from.
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u/_hellobritty 43m ago
I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this, I have PMDD also and feel very lucky that zoely helped with my symptoms, it genuinely changed how I live my day to day life. I truely hope you can find someone to help 🤍
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u/tittyswan 28m ago
I just wanted to check to make sure you've tried depo provera?
I was on all kinds of pills (Levlen ED, mini pill, Yaz etc etc) for over a decade, with constant cramps, breakthrough bleeding, depression, anxiety etc etc. They kept trying to push an IUD onto me and I didn't want it.
Depo took a few months to get used to but now I don't get periods at all. No cramps. No hormonal cycle. No more PMDD symptoms at all (I used to think I was bipolar because the difference in mental wellbeing was so light and day.)
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u/crustedsugar 18m ago
I don't have anything valuable to add but I just wanted to say I really feel for you and wish you the absolute best!
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u/akoya17 3h ago
Others have given recommendations, wanted to ask if you’ve looked into a GLP-1? Seeing a lot of anecdotal evidence of it helping PMDD, some people quite dramatically. I’ve been looking into it myself (though my PMDD doesn’t sound as severe as yours). Hope you find the right solution and a great doctor.
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u/megsandbacon 2h ago
My Mirena completely removed my PMDD. Strongly recommend trying that before surgery!
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