After a hysterectomy, is it necessary to have hormone replacement therapy? If so how long for?
lauren s asked:
Im 46 and have to have a hysterectomy. If the ovaries are taken out, will i still produce any hormones? If not, how will this effect me? If I had to go on hormione replacement therapy how long would I have to do it for?
Im 46 and have to have a hysterectomy. If the ovaries are taken out, will i still produce any hormones? If not, how will this effect me? If I had to go on hormione replacement therapy how long would I have to do it for?
10 June 2009, 7:09 pm
First ask your Doctor if the ovaries have to be taken out because they will usually leave them there. A hysterectomy doesn’t mean that they will also take the ovaries and the reason why they like to leave at least one ovary is because then you won’t need hormone replacement. Any remaining ovary or ovaries will continue to produce hormones.
If they do need to take both ovaries then you will probably need hormone therapy and the best person to ask is your Doctor as everyone is different.
12 June 2009, 9:12 pm
With a hysterectomy where they leave the ovaries is always best. The ovaries produce hormones which affect the whole body. Alot of times when the ovaries are taken out patients are put on Hormone replacement therapy until a certian age. When these hormones such that are produced naturally by the ovaries work on cholestrol, hot flashes, mood swings, ect.
You will not produce those hormones if the ovaries are taken out.
Hormone therapy, regarding length of time varies on each doctor.
My suggestion is if you do not need the ovaries out, leave them be. They are very important.
14 June 2009, 10:13 am
It is not absolutely necessary to have to take hormone replacement pills after a hysterectomy but you would run the risk of Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones) by not doing so. There are other reasons as well but as my wife found out…..Osteoporosis is real and not a lot of fun
14 June 2009, 7:29 pm
Hello,, and generally yes, if you have a complete hysterectomy your doctor will want to put you on hormone treatments. But at your age you shouldn’t have to take them for more than a few years. Most women are thru menapause by 55. And yes your body will still put out some estrogen but not enough. If your 46, you’ve probably already started going thru menapause so you know about hot flashes and night sweats. They may become worse after the operation. But, actually,, no you don’t have to have hormone therapy if you don’t want it. There are natural ways to get the hormones you need. I have had a heart condition since I was 37 and was advised not to take hormones by my obgyn, as they can cause heart attacks in women who have heart trouble. So I’ve never taken hormones. I do use natural hormones tho. I take flaxseed oil capsules and eat flaxseed on my cereal,, soy is great for hot flashes,, you can get this in many different forms. I really like Soymilk,, the brand I use is Soy Silk. There are many different brands of natural hormones. I’ve attached a link that tells you about natural hormones. It also tells you about synthetic hormones. Did you know that one of the hormones doctors give you for estrogen comes from horse urine?? It’s something most women don’t know and should. Anyway,, hope this link helps. And good luck with your surgery