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Not sure about HRT after hysterectomy
I just recently had a complete hysterectomy on May 20/15. I have a follow with my specialist on June1/15, about HRT that he wants me to go on. I had a hysterectomy due to a polyp on my cervix, thickening of the lining and also endometriosis. My doctor wanted to leave my ovaries, but having read a lot on your site about other women who ended up going back in for surgery within two years to have there ovaries removed, and also that the ovaries are what also helps your endometriosis grow, I insisted they be removed.
My mother, about 10 years ago had breast cancer caused from estrogen replacement therapy, she also prior to the breast cancer, had cervical cancer(18 years ago)..... So really not too educated on HRT and wanted any input from other women who are more knowledgeable about this topic.
Really unsure what to expect during my recovery, and what to do about HRT.
Thanks for listening and giving me the info I need too.
My mother, about 10 years ago had breast cancer caused from estrogen replacement therapy, she also prior to the breast cancer, had cervical cancer(18 years ago)..... So really not too educated on HRT and wanted any input from other women who are more knowledgeable about this topic.
Really unsure what to expect during my recovery, and what to do about HRT.
Thanks for listening and giving me the info I need too.
unfortunately current research is showing now that endometriosis grows it's own nerve supply as well as hormones so it does not matter if you use HRT or not...also many of the foods we eat become estrogen in the body so if endo is left behind it will grow...the key is to see a specialist and have the endometriosis cut out at the root...that is the only chance at curing this disease! I too have endo and had the complete hysterectomy which I so regret, I had no choice but to use hrt...because of my age and the risks of not being on them...I would STRONGLY suggest using bio-identical hrt as this is the safest route because they are an exact replica of the hormones your body made before you had your ovaries removed. I do not know if you will be thrown into hormone hell like I was but it took years to get any estrogen in my system...and I was suicidal or agitated...11 years later...I am ok...on a very low dose estradoil...as estradoil is needed for every cell in the body to be able to function properly...if you would like to chat more about the endo/hrt/complete hysterectomy...feel free to pm me...click on my name and send me a message...it's been a long journey with lots of bumps in the road but I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after 25 years of pain, dysfunction...so if you would like to share experiences...I will gladly share mine in hopes of helping you feel your best!
Welcome to the community. You really need to weigh the risks of estrogen "replacement" feeding any remaining endo implants against the increased health risks and reduced quality of life associated with ovary removal. The risks of ovary removal can be found in studies by doing a web search for something like "bilateral oophorectomy long term health."
Some doctors recommend a combined form of HRT (estrogen plus progesterone or progestin) post-hysterectomy for women with endo to keep remaining endo implants "under control." And others merely recommend a period of time to go without HRT to "starve" the implants.
I found that it is important to do our own research along with finding knowledgeable and caring health professionals. If I had left things in the hands of some doctors I have seen (including my surgeon / long-time gynecologist), I would still be suffering post-hysterectomy. I did / do not have endo though.
Some doctors recommend a combined form of HRT (estrogen plus progesterone or progestin) post-hysterectomy for women with endo to keep remaining endo implants "under control." And others merely recommend a period of time to go without HRT to "starve" the implants.
I found that it is important to do our own research along with finding knowledgeable and caring health professionals. If I had left things in the hands of some doctors I have seen (including my surgeon / long-time gynecologist), I would still be suffering post-hysterectomy. I did / do not have endo though.
I guess I would also say it depends on how severe your endometriosis is. If it's killing you, by all means consider menopause instead. I just hate hot flashes a whole lot. :)
Given the endometriosis, I would seek out a specialist in HRT first and discuss everything. It's not like you can't stop HRT after starting it, but the question is whether you would like to just go through the process of being without hormone action entirely, in order to not suffer from the endo any more. (Though I have to say you might hate the hot flashes more.) Ask your ob-gyn who is really good in this area; some RE offices have a specialist on the hormones used in IVF who might be able to advise on this issue as well.
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