HRT or Not

I am a 46 year old with a complete hyst.  I was pre menapause prior to the surgery.  What are the pros and cons on HRT?  I have not had any since the surgery and have only had problems sleeping and some hot flashes but nothing major.

[Livon]

I am wondering the same thing! I have surgery in a week to remove my remaining ovary and expect to be asked tomorrow if I want to go on HRT. I am considering it just to see if I sleep better.  I have breast cancer history in my family, but often wonder if a bit of estrogen for a couple years is really as dangerous as they say.  My GP asked me back in January when I reported to him extreme hot flashes. He said a low dose might work just fine to help me. I turned him down and have been using NEW PHASE EXTRA STRENGTH(over the counter)instead. It seemed to help the hot flashes and contains great vitamins too. I will be anxious to see the replies here.

[Gatsby]

I second the endorsement of Mary53.  She has done so much research and she explains things in a way that makes it very easy to understand.  There is so much to learn and she just makes it easy.
~Tascha

[turtledovemom]

Mary53 is our resident HRT maven, and will probably be along soon.  If you do a search on her name, you'll find tons of very current and valid materials, but Mary does a wonderful job of explaining things.  It would be worth your wait to hear from her!
peace,
Anne

[scoutshadow]

For the hot flashes and sleeping issues, you could try Black Cohosh.  Several friends have used it and found it effective.

[Mary 53]

  
I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in August 2000, and had a radical (complete) hysterectomy shortly thereafter. Cervix was removed, too. I am grateful that we caught the cancer very early. I would like to share my story and my success at finding answers, enjoying satisfying sex, and feeling feminine despite the surgically induced menopause.

I was premenopausal (age 47)and had been concerned about two cysts on my right ovary. My regular doc brushed it off...I switched doctors. I'd had a recent history of abnormal paps along with the LEEP procedure for severe cervical dysplasia (pre-cancer). During a tubal my new doctor checked the cysts and upon examination of the fluid taken from the cyst, they found malignant-looking cells. Hysterectomy was next. At the time, I was starting to do some research on hormones and the effect they have on our body. I was grateful that my oncologist/GYN gave immediately put me on estrodial (I wear a patch). I was surprised at this because of the cancer-hormone thing. However, I soon realized that what she gave me was not the icky synthetic stuff with all the possible side effects. The estrogen I take is a bioidentical substance and not a drug to mask the symptoms of menopause. However, I soon realized that I needed more.

Three months later I was feeling horrible. No libido, brain fog, short-term memory loss, irritability that scared even me, itchy skin, etc. I was switching careers mid-life and it was a struggle just trying to function. I was scared and started to look for answers. I went to see my doctor about the libido thing, and he put me on some testosterone cream which was VERY VERY helpful! However, in retrospect, my hormones were very out of balance.

Dr. Christiane Northrup wrote "The Wisdom of Menopause" and this book saved my life. After reading it, I bought three more books that specifically related to hormone imbalance due to peri-menopause, or menopause. I found info that stated that a surgical menopause (such as mine) was the hardest to go through. But, there is hope and help. Seriously. It was not until I started to add bioidentical progesterone (NOT progestin) that I started to feel human again, in fact, I had not felt that well in about five years. I obviously had been out of balance for years. My regular doctor was not very familiar with the bio's but was fine with me trying them. In fact, he gave me the name of a pharmacist who had a good understanding of the bioidentical hormones. It was through this compounding pharmacy that I was able to get even more answers. My doctor talked with the pharmacist, and authorized a prescription.

It takes approx. three months for progesterone to leave your system, so I was told that it would take about three months for it to build back up. After all, I went three months after the surgery feeling kind of Okay. However, I noticed a difference after about a month. After the second month I cried for about a week because I could not believe how wonderful I was feeling again. This change put all my hormones in balance; estrogen (again, bio, not synthetic), progesterone (we have receptors for progesterone in our brains and in our lungs, so just because I didn't have a uterus did not mean that I didn't need to replenish my body with this hormone)...and testosterone. I know that many doctors are not familiar with the bioidentical hormones, and frankly, I am saddened that so many women are suffering needlessly. Us baby boomers are not going to take this anymore....that is my feeling, and so we are looking for answers. The answers are out there, and if you are lucky enough to have a doctor who understands the benefits of the bioidentical hormones, cherish that. I thank my doctor every year when I go in for my check-up....

I encourage all women to do their research on this topic. Arm yourself with information. I feel lucky to still be here since my problem was caught so early. And, I struggled to find the answers AFTER the surgery. So, I am passionate about sharing my story with women going through menopause, especially women who have had a hysterectomy.

Regarding sexual function...I have great news! I was worried about the loss of the uterus and how this would effect orgasms. However, other organs take over...trust me. The pelvic muscles..the pelvic floor, the vagina...produce contractions similar to the contractions that my uterus used to go through during orgasms. .. If I keep my hormones in balance, use the testoterone cream (I also use one that is several times a week and is applied to the cliteral area)...and make sure that any dryness is addressed (at times I have used a vaginal estrogen cream, usually estroil, for several weeks, or months. This is a weaker estrogen, I get it through the compounding pharmacy, with a prescription...but it strenghens the area...also helps with the bladder problems associated with reduced estrogen production after menopause (which causes atrophy of that area).

Again, this is what worked for me. The more research I do, the more convinced I am that I am on the right track. And, again, for most of these products, you need a prescription. A good place to start is with a compounding pharmacist (at least in the states)...some people find it helpful to check in with the pharmacist to see which doctors they work with. My pharmacist understands the hormone situation and my doctor and I both rely on his advice. One last thing...my medical insurance covers about 35% of the cost at this time. It varies depending on doses, etc. It used to cover more of the cost and I can only hope that one day it will cover more of the cost again.

Everyone, please take care. Mary

[Bleason]

Can you shed some light on horomone therapy?

[Mary 53]

Oh my...Thanks for the kind words everyone. My search came from desparation. But, I found answers and I am happy to share what I learned, what I do, and why I feel that it is something I will never regret doing. I use bioidentical hormones. I have used them for six years. My sister used them for 10 years and is ready to go back on them after a break of using hormones that has her wondering why she quit in the first place. They have been quality of life-saving for me.

I also have a soon to be 21 year old daughter (Aug. 9) who just got home and wants a turn at the family computer(since when did it become the family's computer, I'd like to know!). So, I promise to write later and I will print my "stuff."

Thanks Tascha, for recommending Uzzi's book. Great book.

I discovered Christianne Northrup's books about 15 years ago and six years ago I found her (then newly published) book "The Wisdom of Menopause" and it literally gave me hope.

I shall return!

Mary

[Gatsby]

You could aslo read Dr. Uzzi Reiss' book  Natural Hormone Balance.  It is very helpful and also an eye opener!
~Tascha

[Mary 53]

Hi to everyone.

I wanted to add something...actually there is a ton of stuff I could add. When you inquire about progesterone, make sure people do not confuse it with synthetic progesterone, which is actually called "Progestin." This drug was made to protect women (who have a uterus_ from getting the rare cancer of the uterus IF these women were taking synthetic estrogen (like Premarin) since one of the possible side effects from taking synthetic estrogen is the risk of uterine cancer. Premarin and Progestin makes up Prempro.

So, if ask your health care professional if you can take progesterone, you might get a strange look asking why you need it since you  don't have a uterus. Now here is the tricky part...you have to then educate your doctor. You want Bioidentical Progesterone (and yes it is sold over the counter, but I do think it is best to get it from the pharmacist although, I use the OTC stuff when I run low on the pharmacy grade product) not progestins. And, this is where your research into all this will help. I don't mean to exclude the importance of estrogen. I currently am on bi-est, a compounded bioidentical combination of two estrogens. This along with the other hormones I already mentioned help me funtion. But, balance is key.

In your research you can study how protective these hormones are in helping gaurd against many illnesses. The thing you don't want to have is excessive amounts of estrogen without progesterone. This creates estrogen dominance and can play havoc with your system in many ways.

Take advantage of all the information that is out there..it is just sometimes hard to start the search since there is sooooo much confusion about all this out there.

John Lee's books are good, too, such as "What Your Doctor Does not want you to know about Menopause." I might be off a word or two, but I think that is the title.

Good luck to eveyone. Mary