HRT

[sunny1]

Nobody has spoken to me about hrt post op. Im 35 Im sure I am meant to have it-is this something that my consultant is likely to bring up or do I need to make a drs appointment?

[Hidden]

I hope they will address it with you when you go for your post-surgery appointment, but HRT is contra-indicated in some ovarian cancers. Some are hormone driven (they thought mine probably was). so they talked to me about it, but said they didn't want me to have it. That was fine with me - I'd rather take nothing than anything in any situation -but it did mean that there was little help with the menopausal symptoms!

Bestest,

I.

[spanishanna]

Hi Sunny,

I was on HRT for about 20 years. I am asthmatic so have been on steroids since my early 20's, had a hysterectomy at the age of 42, so with all these combined it was felt I was at risk of osteoporosis. I those days the only known side effect of HRT was breast cancer, but the powers that be felt the benefits of HRT far out weighed the side effects.

However, it wasn't until I developed Ovarian cancer in Sept 2006 I subsequently found out that HRT can cause o/c. my Onc has confirmed my cancer could indeed be caused by years on HRT. I hate the hot flushes, but you get them anyway with chemotherapy.

If I knew now what I knew then, I would not have stayed on HRT for such a long period of time.

I have read on this site other ladies being put on HRT which really does surprise me. I was was most certainly told by my Onc no way should I go back on HRT.

Love Anna xx

[BusyLizzie]

Hi Sunny,

I was 44 at diagnosis and still having regularl periods, I was never offered HRT. I had my op in May last year and had lots of hot flushes during the Summer, but once Winter came, they stopped. I know other ladies have had different experiences.

Obviously, I have bigger fish to fry now anyway, but I would imagine unless you are suffering greatly due to the hormonal change, it may not be routinely offered.

Doesn't hurt to ask their thoughts though, but make sure you find out any downsides (see above) before you insist on it.

Love Lizzie

X

[wendydee]

Hi Sunny

Have a look in the search box at the top of the page, type in HRT. There are quite a lot of conversations on there that may help you in your search for info. All the best,

Love Wendy xx

[SandyL]

Hi Sunny,

I was diagnosed with Stage 1V OC 13 years ago. As soon as I'd finished treatment (3 chemo's, surgery, 6 chemo's) and was in remission, my Gyn/Onc prescribed .625 mg Premarin (I was getting very bad hot flashes at the time) and recommended I take Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium tablets 3 times a day for a total of 1000 mgs per day (each item). So I did all of that. I was 53 at diagnosis and hadn't gone through menopause yet. I'm 66 now, still taking HRT and still in remission. I've tried taking myself off them once or twice but the persistent hot flashes made me miserable. Obviously, they don't seem to affect me adversely, so I'll continue. Everyone is different.

[charlie12]

Hi there

I had borderline ovarian cancer and have been assured by my consultant that it is OK for me for 5 years plus. To be honest I really couldn't have done without it , as emotionally and physically the surgical menopause hit me really hard.

Take care

Charlie xx

[pixie]

Hi Sunny

Nobody talked to me about the menopause at all - bar an offhand comment by my nurse specialist that "we don't usually give HRT to a woman of your age" (I was just turned 46!) and "oh, Boots do some good lubricants".

So I wasn't really prepared for the flushes, the senior moments, the sleep disturbance and various aches that may or may not have been a follow on to chemo after effects.

Eventually, after doing some reading on a link a lady on here posted (surmeno.blogspot.co.uk/ ), I went to my GP who referred me to the menopause clinic at the hospital. The lovely doctor there consulted with my oncologist who said he didn't think my cancer was hormone responsive, so I was prescribed HRT. My symptoms improved very quickly and a year on I am feeling good!

As long as the hospital is sure your tumour wasn't hormone related, I think HRT is a good thing. We've got enough on our plates as it is without having to deal with the discomfort & disruption of a surgical menopause.

Good luck to you

Gael x

[ladygooner-uk]

Hi Sunny

I was 44 at initial diagnosis,stage 3a, when i went back to see the surgeon, she put me on oestragen only hrt, which I blessed her for, as I had no menopause symptoms at all. I have recently had to stop them for further surgery, as yet I have had no symptoms, but cant wait to re start, as it gave me much more energy.

whichever way it goes, good luck to you- may be worthwhile asking as yours may not be the hormone linked oc- dont think mine was, they tested for it eventually, but as no one came back saying it was, I am assuming it wasnt!

take care of you and yours

sue

xx

[Heffmeister]

I was 32 when I had a total hysterectomy (2010). I started on a estrogen patch pretty much straight away. You are pretty much only replacing what your body would naturally be producing anyway at this age which is different from taking hormones when your body is going through it's natural menopause. My tumors were tested as not being sensitive to estrogen or progestrone so my consultant thinks it's Ok for me but it does depend on your type of disease. I try to have the lowest dose I can. If it's to low I really struggle to sleep and get bad restless legs and headaches.

I did find I was the one bringing this up with my doctors. They didn't really seem interested in it at all! There's not much research on younger women or those gone through surgical menopause taking HRT so it's quite a individual decision I think.

Good luck x

[wjs0]

Thank you for asking this question. I was wondering the exact same thing. At one earlier consultation it was mentioned that I would go into menopause but nothing has been said since. I will ask the question at my follow up appointment next week.

Sue