Early Surgical Menopause - Any long term alternatives to HRT?

• By Lynn8885
• Posted November 17, 2008 at 8:28 am
• Report post

I am currently 50 and have been on ERT since age 24 due to complete hysterectomy due to endometriosis that caused a bowel constriction. It has been a balancing act since the day of surgery. I was off hormones for 6 months to try to "dry up" endometrial tissue left to avoid a colostomy. Since that time, I have taken primarily Estradiol. I have not taken progestin due to the lack of ovaries and uterus. I tried Estratest because of problems with libido but while trying to control the endometriosis prior to the hysterectomy, I took medications that caused hair growth and have gone through many phases of electrolysis and laser to remove the hair (about every 8 years) and the Estratest seemed to cause this to occur again.

Five years ago, I had to have a bowel/vaginal resection to remove the remaining endometriosis which had been left and was causing another bowel constriction. Luckily, there was now technology to remove it all. Some would say that the Estrogen that I took caused this to stay while others cannot connect the two. My endometriosis expert, widely published and highly respected, advised me that the risks of ERT were not as high as the media would have you believe. Women who have had hysterectomies have
not been studied separately.

I have no signs of osteo, most people don't believe my age, i do have high blood pressure and high collesteral that is controlled through medication but it runs in my family. I exercise regularly and the only real physical problem is with connective tissue disorders which I control with allergy medications and exercise. Some would say that this is connected to the early hysterectomy and loss of organic hormones.

I have tried to stop the hormones a number of times, but until the last couple of weeks, have been unsuccessful. The hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness and atrophy, and skin thinning have made me return to hormones. I have reduced them to the smallest amount possible, taking 1/2 of the smallest dose available of Estradiol. Two weeks ago, I stopped altogether. The doctor prescribed Wellbutrin for the mood swings and I am tolerating the hot flashes, which are much less severe since I've weened myself off them. Unless I can get a hormone creme to help with the vaginal dryness, I will go back on them though. My libido is nill, and I have the best husband every (30 years) and sex is uncomfortable.

Didn't mean to give you my life story --- just thought this might help with hormone questions.

It's rare to find someone else that had a hysterectomy in their 20's.

• Reply

• By GeeKyChiC71
• Posted December 31, 2008 at 8:43 pm
• Report post

I was 34 when I had mine...TAH/BSO and due to the possible ovarian cancer, my dr's advised me NOT to take HRT, as it could increase risk of breast cancer. It has been rough, even 4 years later, but not as bad as I thought. The flashes are starting to fade, not gone completely, but not every night either. Through it all though, I have not had any breast pain (except at the beginning)

• Reply

• By aftercancer
• Posted January 1, 2009 at 10:02 pm
• Report post

I had an oophorectomy secondary to breast cancer and the hot flashes were awful. I will not use HRT due to the hormonal component of my cancer. I have been taking Effexor and I know some women who take Lexapro. Hot flashes have decreased immensely, none at night occasional during the day. You might want to talk to your doc and see.

• Reply

Add to the discussion