Your experience of HRT if you've had a hysterectomy

[MyBeloved]

Hi everyone

I've had a hysterectomy and am about to have my remaining ovary removed. I have been told I will need HRT until my early-50s.

I'd really appreciate some anecdotes if possible, if you've been in a similar position. Did it take long to find the correct dosage? Patches or pills? Bio identical or not? It's so confusing!

Thanks

I haven’t exactly the same experience but I diagnosed with early menopause last year at 41.
It is more simple than you imagine, you will need only estrogen, pills, patches or gel.
I find pills more comfortable for me. 2mg is considered a medium dose.

Hi my beloved, has a hysterectomy, retained ovaries but they stopped working. Had a horrendous few months, sweating, brain fog, crying, couldn’t sleep& just mad.

This is despite no alcohol no sugar vegetarian exercise every day. On oestrogen gel & back to normal within weeks

Thank you both...this is encouraging. Did either of you get side effects at all?

No side effects, the oestrogen is bio identical, made from plants & replacing your own oestrogen. I think some women say they have some side effects from hrt when what they are describing tare symptoms of the menopause! The side effects described mostly come from progesterone which you won’t need. Anyaway. It is harder for me to keep slim & fit. That’s a side effect of getting older right?

I had a total hysterectomy in 2006, had tremendous night sweats which meant changing bed and eventually sleeping on towels, cried at everything and felt dreadful. I tried every remedy in the health food shop and eventually went onto HRT in 2007. I started on tablets and took them until last year when I moved onto patches. I started on a weak dose and gradually increased until dosage sorted. I moved onto patches last year as I do a lot of long haul flights every year and there is less risk of DVT with patches apparently.

Without being dramatic, I can honestly say HRT saved my life, I was barely surviving on around 90 minutes sleep and the day I thought of driving my car into a wall was the day I decided to try HRT. It honestly changed my life. I have low BP, low cholesterol, eat very well, my BMI is 'normal' although I could do to lose a few pounds and I try to ensure I do around 12,000 steps a day, which means my GP is happy for me to carry on using HRT. I do drink too much wine though

Apologies for the essay!

Thank you so much for your replies. The weight gain is a worry but i know once my naughty ovary is gone, much of my swelling should disappear too...hopefully!

It's great to hear it has been such a positive in your lives. Perhaps i will go for patches if it reduces any health risks.

Hey MyBeloved

Hysterectomy last June (retained ovaries) I think I was heading towards menopause anyway (I'm 49) so through August and September last year suffered with awful night sweats, fatigue, aching joints.

GP put me on Elleste solo in October and I've never looked back. It was like a miracle. I have no history of cancer in my family. Fit and well. Average weight and exercise regulary. No side effects from HRT as yet.

I'm now on my second 6 month batch. Long may it continue.

Evorel 50 patches are excellent (for me).

I'm eating a low-carb Mediterranean diet and have lost about half a stone since surgery in March. I went straight on the patches, no fannying about.

Had a complete hysterectomy in 2013 best thing ever. Had 8 weeks without hrt to see what symptoms if any I got the only thing was the flushes. Am on ellesete solo 80mg patches and they are the best thing.

I’ve lost 3 stone since the hysterectomy and feel fitter and better than I have done in years.

Thank you one and all! I feel much better about having to start HRT now. I'm going to be put straight onto it after my op.