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Menopause

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Original poster

HRT after hysterectomy?

13 replies

EamonnHolmesisaPratt2 · 29/09/2015 22:06

I recently had a hysterectomy ( uterus, fallopian, ovaries and cervix) due to an extremely large fibroid as it turned out. I was on HRT until 3 weeks before the surgery and so am now sitting on what feels like a Tropical Island ....I am 59..has anyone been through this and were they put on HRT afterwards ? Any thoughts or comments much appreciated . Thanks.

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pinkfrocks · 29/09/2015 22:33

Why was the HRT stopped?
Was it not discussed before and post op by your surgeon?
You should go back on it- you have been plunged into surgical menopause which is much worse than gradual, natural menopause. As you have no uterus, you only need oestrogen which is very safe.

Cocolepew · 29/09/2015 22:51

I'm on it but was told I only needed it until I was 51 (Im 46 now). It was to help against oestoporosis.

Mummylin · 29/09/2015 23:09

Yes I had this. I was previously on HRT which actually caused my fibroids to enlarge. I had the same op as you, ovaries, cervix etc. and I was then put on HRT which I took for about ten years, when my doc then took me off of it, I had no problems whilst taking it.

Mummylin · 29/09/2015 23:13

Sorry I should of said that I was on HRT for a few years before my hysterectomy , and put back on them straight after the op.

Original poster
EamonnHolmesisaPratt2 · 30/09/2015 06:41

Thanks, all . I was told to come off HRT before the op as they were suspicious about the mass before the surgery...pinkfrocks... seeing the doc next week for the after consult....I will ask about it...he is an onco-gynae...the HRT that I went onto on Jan was a different HRT from the one I was on before ...I have to wonder if if "fed" the 10 cm fibroid to the 25 cm one it ended up as by August.....it was a huge fibroid with necrosis and I was a total mess beforehand - constant headaches, leg pains, breathless due to size, indigestion etc...

OP posts:
pinkfrocks · 30/09/2015 07:49

I still think it's a pretty poor show that this wasn't discussed prior to the operation. Even at 59 and post menopause, ovaries have some function and we still have some oestrogen for many years. Removing them is the equivalent of male castration and some drs seem to expect women just to get on and ignore the symptoms.
Oestrogen can feed fibroids but not always. I've been on HRT for 7 years and my small fibroid hasn't changed.
Have a read of all the risks and benefits on Menopause Matters website. In terms of breast cancer risk, women using oestrogen only HRT have 4 cases fewer of breast cancer per 1000 compared to women not using any HRT and if you use transdermal HRT- patch or gel- you effectively decrease the risk of blood clots to practically nil.

Mummylin · 30/09/2015 09:43

Originally I was told that as I went I to a natural menopause my fibroids would shrink, in fact the opposite happened and they actually grew, , the same as you eamon, they thought I had a dangerous mass, when in fact luckily it was the fibroids had grown to a huge size. The day after my op a lady came round to discuss the fact that I would need to go on to HRT ASAP which is what happened for me. I was put on Premarin, which I continued to take for years until my doc then gradually got me off of it.
I would def ask your doc about this, you will,probably need something. Good luck with your recovery.

Original poster
EamonnHolmesisaPratt2 · 01/10/2015 07:34

mummylin what happened when you came off the HRT? Did you then get menopausal symptoms again?

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Original poster
EamonnHolmesisaPratt2 · 01/10/2015 07:37

pinkfrocks I did ask about removal of my ovaries beforehand as the NICE guidelines say leave unless there is an issue... he said that they would remove because if there was a problem with the mass then they wouldn't want to have to go back in again ...at the time you are just so shit scared that you go with the flow plus I feel you do have to have some confidence in your doctor and what they are telling you...I am definitely going to talk to them about it next week ..

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Mummylin · 01/10/2015 11:26

No I didn't stop them immediately I had to start off by just taking half of the dose then gradually came off them. I had no more symptoms, but I have a friend who is back on them as she has had recurring hot flushes etc.
initially they thought I had a tumour as the fibroid was so big, but thankfully it wasn't. Like you I had never been so scared and just went with what the docs advised. I didn't have a lot of time to think about it as from my first apt at the doc to having my op was only 3 weeks.
There was a lady in my ward who had had a hystectomy many years before, but no ovaries removed. She had come back in as they suspected cancer and that was all those years after, so I was glad that mine were removed at the same time.
I would def ask about having HRT especially if you are suffering from any distressing symptoms. But this is something they should of discussed with you.

Original poster
EamonnHolmesisaPratt2 · 01/10/2015 23:30

Thanks mummylin - they may of course pass that on to my GP as they are a busy oncology team..like yourself it was pretty fast - about 3 weeks as well...I am trying to monitor when I get these warm glows and I say glows as that is what it is and it goes on for ages ......unlike a friend who gets the head to toe flush....

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Mummylin · 01/10/2015 23:40

It can feel very unpleasant can't it, best of luck and I hope that you soon get it all sorted.

Original poster
EamonnHolmesisaPratt2 · 05/10/2015 09:51

Thanks I have just ordered a wool duvet in the hope that it helps a bit too !

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