Hormones after total hysterectomy

[sippy]

Hello,
I was wondering if any of you all have been put on hormones after a total hysterectomy.  My doctor says there are too many risks and I don't need them...I am 38. I don't know what to expect here 2 weeks after surgery, I keep waiting for a hotflash or something weird to happen. :) What can happen if I don't take them? I've had nightmares of growing hair on my face or my voice getting manly. Are my fears real?  Can anyone share their experience or knowledge about hormones?

Thanks,
Sippy

[blonde1997]

i had a hysterctomy 2 years ago and my mood swings are bad what do i do i do not feel like myself

[VickyM902]

Hi Tammy...I had a TT back in '80 due to Thyroid Cancer....I then had a Total hyster back in '99....I tried many different types of HRTs w/no luck...Premarin being the worse...I have been on Bio-Identical since 2001 and, have to say, I don't know where I'd be emotionally w/out them....Fast fwd to '13 where I recently had hormone blood work done and all my levels are extremely low, which tells me, my body may not be absorbing the "pill form" bio-Ident....I do feel great but I recently heard from a dr how taking estrogen pill form can be very toxic to the liver...Considering my dad, brother and g'father passed away from liver disease, I may have to meet w/my gyno about changing how I take my HRTs....As for you, I would def'ly be taking HRTs....feel free to email me at ***@**** but put Hyster on title caption or it will get deleted....

[tammyt722]

I will be 45 in a few days.  In 2009 I had a hysterectomy due to cancer.  I kept my left ovary.  Last month I developed a large cyst that is causing a lot of pain.  My doctor suggested surgery.  At my last appointment, I tried talking to him about hormones.  I ask about bio identical, he said actually not much difference in these and what doctors have been prescribing for yrs.  (not sure I agree with this).  Anyway, I am on thyroid medication, Armor thyroid.  He said it is a real pain to adjust hormone levels when you are on thyroid medication because they work against each other.  I ask when I should consider going on hormones, because I feel tired and wrung out a lot.  He told me that when I started having hot flashes I should consider it then.   Any opinions?

[ckd6325]

Hi , I had a total hysterectomy (vaginal) about 2 months ago due to prolapsed cervix problems for years.  I am age 44 years with 2 kids.  The op and thereafter was no problem.  Now I am clueless, I googled total hysterectomy on wikipedia and the details were either ovaries taken out or remain.  Mine were not taken out.  My present problem is my breasts have increased by at least 2 cup sizes as well as my bum - is this possible? Even though I still have my ovaries.  I know so little about hormones as well as where to look and am so nervous to ask my gny. as I presume HRT will be advised.  I would really appreciate any help on the above.  Chan

[ac330]

HI Mary!  Thanks for all the great info. I think it's important to note that  using bio-identica hormones IS hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, just different than Premarin, or non- bio-identical HRT.
As I'm sure you know from your research, you can get cancer from bio-identical hormones, or even from your own production of estrogen, if you are producing too much.
There is so much marketing around bio-identicals that many women think they are the answer to everything.  While there may be real benefits, there are also real risks, as I found out the hard way.  I was on bio-identical estrogen and progesterone, and got uterine cancer.  I had no risk factors, as this is a cancer that generally affects obese women over sixty.  I'm skinny, otherwise very healthy and 50.
My only risk factor for estrogen dominance was the bio-identical estrogen. Maybe the prometrium was not strong enough to counteract the estrogen.  It's super important to get a yearly vaginal ultrasound if you are on any type of estrogen.
Just had complete hysterectomy, and I may eventually go back on very small doeses of bio-identicals, but would certainly caution women to take the smallest dose possible of these hormones, and if you find you do well without them - that's great too.  Women who take good care of themselves and make health a priority will not experience accelerated aging if they forego hormones.  For women who are afraid they will wrinkle up without estrogen, let me tell you that getting cancer causes wrinkles!

[shawnietp44]

thank you so much, all the info you just gave answered almost all the question and fears i am having, had a total hysterectomy 4 weeks ago, the healing from the surgery was easy for me by the 2cd week, but the 3rd and fouth week with the hot flashes, mood swings, not being able to concentrate or think at all, is driving me crazy.  i have a doc apt. tomorrow morning and I am confident on my decision of bio-hormonal replacement, and thank you for the names of them, I am going to continue to do research. but i feel so much better with the knowledge I  got from you. thank u so much:)