Premature Menopause - hrt/ ovarian cancer

[Didly]

I was hoping somebody knowledgeable on here may have some thoughts on the following.

I'm 37 and have just had it confirmed I'm going through premature menopause. 9 years ago we have 4 rounds of unsuccessful ICSI during which I took the max dose of swimming drugs.

My paternal aunties diagnose with ovarian cancer at 46, she doesn't have the BRAC gene. I have no medical history on my Mum's side so no idea of ovarian/ breast cancer risks.

I'm seeing a gynaecologist in a couple of weeks for the 1st time. I know he'll suggest HRT and I think I understand the long term benefits however I'm terrified about the potential ovarian cancer risk. Do you think I would have any success in asking for my ovaries to be removed?

I know about the Daisy Network but have not joined? Is it worthwhile? This is all very new to me and I would be so grateful for any suggestion, thoughts or pointers to worthwhile reading.

Thank you!

[pinkfrocks]

Your dr is the best person to advise you- they will know the benefits but also the risks.

Is 'swimming drugs' a typo- don't understand that!

Not an expert but don't think that one incidence on your father's side of ovarian cancer is a risk factor. The link between ovarian cancer and HRT is not certain anyway- are you assuming it is?

sorry to ask but why do you not know your mum's history? Does anyone else in your family know?

[Didly]

Sorry ipad autocorrect. Swimming should have been stimming - the drugs you take to make your ovaries produce multiple eggs in one cycle.

My mum is adopted so unfortunately no way of finding out her familial medical history

[pinkfrocks]

You will know your mum's history though.
I honestly am not an expert- so do your own research on this- but what my own consultant says on risks is that first degree relatives who have had breast cancer at a young age have some bearing on risk, but ovarian cancer is not mentioned. Im not sure why you think there is a connection between HRT and OC?

In any case, you are not a woman over 50 who is adding in HRT - you'd be replacing what you would normally have to that age. And you'd not think about removing your ovaries at 38 if they were functioning fully just because an aunt on your father's side had ovarian cancer.

Many women will have no idea of their family history beyond their own mum or father. I've never been quizzed over mine when prescribed HRT and haven't a clue what my paternal aunt died from - my father had no contact with her for decades.

Am I missing the point somewhere?

[Follyfoot]

Here for the connection between ovarian cancer and HRT. I was certainly warned about it by my GP.

[pinkfrocks]

Equally though Folly there are other studies that show no risk :)
I'll try to find some 'conflicting' evidence...!

There are some errors in that article anyway- at the beginning it talks about 'synthetic hormones'. Many of us take natural HRT- body-identical (or bio-identical as it's called ) .

The other thing is that the research group carrying out that particular research (in Oxford) consistently comes up with 'anti' HRT' findings, when compared with other trials. It's not unknown for researchers to have a theory or an angle and then try to prove it.

IF the risk exists it is tiny- one more case they found after 5 years for women every 1000 women. IF this was the case then most women could be scanned annually if they were considered high risk at all, for early signs.

[pinkfrocks]

THIS from the British Menopause Society says that there is no cause-effect link from the studies.

[PacificDogwood]

HRT is you case (a young woman - and I am sorry you are having to deal with this) is exactly what it says on the tin: hormone replacement therapy.
It replaces the hormones that by rights you could expect your own body to still be making, so taking HRT until the age of 'natural'/average menopause around 50 does not increase your risks, it simply gives you body what most women are getting until their late 40s/early 50s.

Yy do speak to you drs about your concerns.
I don't think that your IVF meds have anything to do with it either.

[PacificDogwood]

Good grief, try again: "HRT in your case…"

[PacificDogwood]

Have a look at The Daisy Network

Menopause Matters

[pinkfrocks]

It's important to keep a sense of perspective with all medication. We're all going to die sometime and for 2/3rds of us it will either be cancer or heart disease. Heart disease and osteoporosis ( death from complications of hip fractures) account for more deaths in women than cancer. Heart disease is the biggest killer of women. Current research shows HRT reduces heart disease by 50%. The tiny possibility of ovarian cancer from HRT is too insignificant (in my mind anyway) to be a reason not to have quality of life and avoid other diseases.
But- as I always say- personal choice.

[itsmeitscathy]

I've had a form of ovarian cancer plus blood clots - my gynae had no qualms with prescribing a pill to replace what I wasn't producing. I took a lot of convincing but it is as pps have said - there isn't tje same risk as it's replacing not on top of what you should still have. I was told I'd keep being prescribed it till I hit the natural age for menopause (although my periods then reappeared...)

ask to speak to a premature menopause consultatant. they're amazing.