Hi Tempest...
I am glad your gyne still cares... post op...never really saw mine again... and the local gp's were useless ref HRT and the problems i was having 3 yrs in on it , hence coming off.
It has been 12 years since my surgery and 9 years off HRT until recently.... off HRT wasn't too bad may be a hot flush now and again and a funny turn if i got excited...vaginal dryness has been getting worse and worse over the recent years and also have lichen scleroses down there.
Things weren't too bad until last year when i has another UTI, which found stressful... then started resulting in anxiety, insomia etc... and downward sliding from there...
Due to this had a 24 Cortisol test which showed my cortisol levels were high expecially in the morning and evening which were very high, and also low DHEA. The dr i was seeing then said i had early stages of adrenal fatigue ..so not sure if the early yrs of menopause due to surgery were taking there toll and the uti was the aspect of the 'straw that broke the camels back', he then subsequently did a sex hormone test which found my
Estrogen was in range but on the low side
Progesterone was very low, basically 0
Testosterone was basically 0
So then prescribed me with compounded bio-identical , bi-est, testosterone and progesterone...
Have then been struggling since on different regimes...on my 3rd now...now and again having a good day (must be when the levels hit right)
Also taking supplements to help the adrenals e.g. Vitc , Vit D, Magnesium , MK7, B12 , Vit B complex...
I do wonder if my adrenals would now be able to support me now if i did come off HRT, as i mentioned things weren't too bad prior to last year except for the vaginal dryness getting worse... but would use daily moisturiser now days or some vaginal estrogen.
Many hugs back
Y x