HRT - what do I need to know?

[Bluepeg]

Pre Op booked for mid March, hysterectomy date unknown but coming.

Having everything removed, have had a little google, seems I’ll be offered oestrogen and testosterone but when and how?

Any tips / things to consider?

TIA

[7777melg]

Hi , I had a total hysterectomy 7 months ago now due to Endometriosis and fibroids. I have tried 6 differents Hrt tablets, gel and patches. The best I have found is comdined hrt estradiol and progesterone.

Took time to to find what suits your body after the op but you will get there.

Hope all goes ok x

[Bluepeg in reply to 7777melg]

Thank you, I guess I just need to be patient, not something I’m good at 😁 x

[Katmatty]

I had a hysterectomy 7 months ago due to a womb full of precancerous polyps. I also had fibroids and ovarian cysts so they just took everything. I had to wait for my biopsy results first to make sure there was no cancer before they would think about HRT. So I’ve been on patches for five months now. I take Evorel 25 patches which are the lowest dose you can take. So far I’ve been fine with them and they may be all I ever need but I was told that I may need to increase the doseage as time goes on. They increase by 25mg. Everyone is different; two friends of mine have also had hysterectomy over the years. One got by with a low dose of hrt gel; another got increased to 100mg on patches gradually over 18 months. I also know women who have never taken hrt. Because you are losing your womb you do not need to take progesterone, only oestrogen. As for testosterone, I only know one woman who ever tried it due to struggling to find the right hrt dose and she said it made her feel aggressive and depressed and she stopped after a few weeks. It really is a very personal journey. What works for one may not work for another. Research it lots before your op and ask questions. I didn’t. Due to the possibility of mine being cancer I needed to get my head around all that first before I could go to the next stage. However I do wish I’d done a bit of research first as losing my ovaries ploughed me into the menopause within hours of my operation and I really struggled for 6 weeks. Good luck and I hope it all goes well for you. Wishing you a speedy recovery after your op x xx

[Bluepeg in reply to Katmatty]

Thank you so much for sharing, I really appreciate it x

[RachaelE]

Hi Bluepeg

Firstly, hope the operation goes well and you take your time with the recovery. It’s really important to look after yourself and follow the advice given for the post op period. As you’re having your ovaries removed, you would almost certainly benefit from oestrogen, both systemic and local vaginal to prevent atrophy. You might also want to consider a good vaginal moisturiser such as YES (available on prescription and online). Transdermal (patches or gel) seems to be preferred by most women. As for testosterone, good luck getting it. They will probably want you to wait and see how it goes, but I’m over 4 years post surgery and struggling to get it. I was ok for a couple of years but gradually my energy, strength and libido have ebbed away. Find it very difficult to build muscle, in particular, and can’t do the things I used to do, like digging the garden. I’ve asked for testosterone from my GP, but she isn’t allowed to prescribe it, so I’m waiting for a specialist appointment. Been waiting since September, appointment in April.

Good luck xx