Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Italianlover]

I had a hysterectomy and oophrectomy last month due to large fibroids and ovarian cysts as well as severe adhesions. I've been happily taking HRT for 4 years, I began 1 year after my last period. Evorel 50 patches as well as Femoston Conti were prescribed my a meno specialist and worked brilliantly for me. I began cutting down the dose about 3 months before my surgery on the advice of my (different) surgeon who thought I was having too much and have been taking nothing since my op. I'm now having sleepless nights mainly due to severe night hot flushes and sweats, daytime isn't so bad though I can be at inferno setting several times a day! I'm worried about the risks of going back to Evorel in the long term given that I've taken it for 4 years already. Not sure I can survive on so little sleep for much longer though! I'm 55. Any wise words?

[CLKD]

HI! go back to the GP and ask for what worked B4?  Did your surgeon suggest any reason not to take HRT following the operation? 

[Hurdity]

Hi Italianlover

 

Unless there is a medical reason why you should not continue with HRT (eg history of breast cancer or close relatives with this) , if you are otherwise healthy (not overweight, don't smoke, get plenty of exercise, limit alcohol) then you can take it for ever. You are in the wonderful position of not needing a progestogen (unless you had endometriosis and require it for this reason) and as you've had your ovaries removed you will be producing very little of your own so in your position I would take at least the same dose as before - if you were feeling well on this.

You can take the entire dose now as patches or gel as you don't need the progestogen so I would hot foot it to your GP and ask for some - due to your symptoms. Many women have only just started taking HRT at your age and some are still having periods!

That information about taking it longer than 4 years is totally out of date. The current thinking is that HRT is protective (of bones and heart/cardio-vascular system mainly) if started under 60 and within 10 years of menopause - with no end date.

You do not need to suffer at all - so hopefully you can get sorted asap. As you've had ovaries removed you might also need testosterone - but initially get your oestrogen levels up before thinking about this. Do also have a look at all the info on this website ( top tabs, pale green banner).

Hope this helps and let us know the outcome and how you get on 

Hurdity x

[Mary G]

Italianlover, if I were you I would start taking HRT again immediately.  There is no need to suffer any longer, you are only 55 and there is no reason to stop taking oestrogen now or in the future if you don't want to.  I am 56 and intend to stay on HRT for life. 

Now you have had a hysterectomy, your HRT is much more straightforward and you have the luxury of being able to take oestrogen only HRT - how wonderful!  If you like patches go back to them or you could try Oestrogel. 

The risks of oestrogen only HRT are virtually zero. 

[Italianlover]

Well I have a huge box of patches so could begin again right away! My GP is not particularly well informed but happy to continue prescribing I think. My surgeon wanted me to reduce pre op in order to try and shrink the fibroids a bit before surgery, which it didn't, he didn't have particularly strong opinions on continuing but thought that it was risky (in his opinion)in terms of breast cancer and stroke etc. He also thought it was a very high dose which I didn't realise, I've no idea what is considered high or low but Evorel 50 worked well for me, flushes and night sweats came back as I started cutting my patches in half! I've read the NICE guidelines on HRT etc but still worry that I'm taking a big risk but perhaps that's not the case! I'm slim, active, no other health concerns or risk factors, no family history of cancer.
I suppose I feel that I should tough it out now and get on with it having had 4 years of feeling well. I had assumed that I would have to stop soon anyway so I may as well grit my teeth and get on with it! I didn't realise that I can continue for a few more years at least. Thank you for the advice and for all the helpful info that I'm finding here.

[Hurdity]

No gritting of teeth allowed on this forum Italianlover 

I mean cutting off nose to spite face comes to mind (I mean in general of course...not you!).

NO-ONE needs to suffer. There are prescribable options to control flushes and sweats for those who cannot take HRT but in your position - nothing to stop you taking the real thing!

Yes - if you have the box of patches then just do it - slap one on - no time like the present but make an appointment with your doc asap for some more. You won't want/need to take the Evorel conti ones though so the box will only last half the time.

I am intrigued by your name - I first thought perhaps you had an Italian lover and then I thought maybe it was the language or the country that attracts you! Or you may be Italian yourself?! When I typed it earlier it came out as Italianliver!!

Anyway good luck and let us know how you feel once you've restarted.

Hurdity x

[Italianlover]

Thank you Hurdity for your reassurance, I feel better already! What a wonderful place this is, such a relief to be able to share worries with others.
Sadly no Italian lovers round here! I'm not Italian either but I do love all things Italian, food, wine, opera, cars and the men of course!!

[Taz2]

I've been on HRT for 10 years. I'm 63 and hope to take it for as long as I need it.

Taz