Thank you for this. I'm not understanding the connection between hysterectomy and needing to take estrogen. Did the study look at people who had their ovaries removed? I've had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries so I don't have an immediate drop in estrogen.
This is about menopause treatment, post hysterectomy. I don't know how old you were when you got your hysterectomy, but for those of us who got ours around the time we were entering perimenopause, and our estrogen was dropping precipitously because of this--down to zero, once you're in menopause--we were told not to take estrogen for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, as well as osteoporosis/heart/brain protection, because of the breast cancer risk. This was, it turns, out, really bad information because, as this new study now proves, estrogen protects those of us with hysterectomies from breast cancer. If you don't have a uterus--whether or not you had your ovaries removed--you do not need to take progesterone with estrogen, because progesterone is only indicated to keep the uterus from getting cancer. It's the combination of progesterone and estrogen which has been thought to be a higher risk for breast cancer, but if you read Estrogen Matters, which I highly recommend, they debunk this, too.
Please Deb can you address the dangers/safety of taking estrogen if you are very much past menopause, as am I. Very progressive doctors have advised me against.
The usual guidelines are that you need to start taking estrogen in the narrow window between the end of menses and ten years from that date or age 60, whichever comes first. HOWEVER, even that dogma is being questioned of late. Please read Estrogen Matters. It's the most important book out there on this subject, and they go into all of this.
I’m well past menopause, brought in by a total hysterectomy with both ovaries removed in 2000. Currently 69. Have been on estrogen now for 4 years and have noticed a significant improvement in my overall health. Adjusting the patch dose, as I was getting tender breast’s at the 0.05mg/d strength, but a minor issue.
Don't know if you'll see this but I want to thank you for your comment. I'm 62, and I've been in menopause for 10 years, no HRT. My doctor wouldn't recommend it due to my mother's DCIS. She had surgery, no follow up and no recurrence, and my sister had the same. Mom died of a massive heart attack. I've been interested in taking estrogen for a while but no one will write a prescription for me, and my gynecologist will only agree to Estradiol vaginal cream to address issues that interfered with my sex life after hysterectomy. But you're taking it, started in your 60s, and are getting the benefits that I want. The search is renewed! I'll find a doctor who will listen! Thanks for the encouragement.
I saw this last night when I started looking at online providers. I'm not on Medicare yet but my insurance isn't listed so I am considering Alloy now. Thanks!
Taking estrogen is a decision not to make lightly. Not all women who have had hysterectomies need this. One size does not fit all! It’s concerning that you tell women to run out and get estrogen. I’m speaking as a person who had a total hysterectomy at age 51. Maybe I’m unusual. I did not suffer the effects of instant menopause. No hot flashes, brain fog, etc. Maybe I’d be a few pounds lighter if I took estrogen but there’s other ways to lose weight. Don’t extrapolate your personal experience as advice for everyone else.
I'm not telling women to run out and get estrogen. I'm presenting evidence-based studies and breaking them down for the layperson. Obviously, not every woman can take estrogen. For example, women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. But the science is becoming clearer and clearer: estrogen is not just for hot flashes. There is evidence--good evidence--to show it aids in osteoporosis prevention, heart disease prevention, and maybe even dementia-prevention, although the latter is still being studied.
Thank you for this. I'm not understanding the connection between hysterectomy and needing to take estrogen. Did the study look at people who had their ovaries removed? I've had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries so I don't have an immediate drop in estrogen.
This is about menopause treatment, post hysterectomy. I don't know how old you were when you got your hysterectomy, but for those of us who got ours around the time we were entering perimenopause, and our estrogen was dropping precipitously because of this--down to zero, once you're in menopause--we were told not to take estrogen for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, as well as osteoporosis/heart/brain protection, because of the breast cancer risk. This was, it turns, out, really bad information because, as this new study now proves, estrogen protects those of us with hysterectomies from breast cancer. If you don't have a uterus--whether or not you had your ovaries removed--you do not need to take progesterone with estrogen, because progesterone is only indicated to keep the uterus from getting cancer. It's the combination of progesterone and estrogen which has been thought to be a higher risk for breast cancer, but if you read Estrogen Matters, which I highly recommend, they debunk this, too.
There is plenty of evidence that even if you keep your ovaries they won’t keep functioning as normal and you are still at higher risk from lack of estrogen. https://ovarianresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13048-023-01117-1#:~:text=Although%20ovarian%20preservation%20is%20increasingly,population%20%5B8%2C%209%5D.
Please Deb can you address the dangers/safety of taking estrogen if you are very much past menopause, as am I. Very progressive doctors have advised me against.
The usual guidelines are that you need to start taking estrogen in the narrow window between the end of menses and ten years from that date or age 60, whichever comes first. HOWEVER, even that dogma is being questioned of late. Please read Estrogen Matters. It's the most important book out there on this subject, and they go into all of this.
I’m well past menopause, brought in by a total hysterectomy with both ovaries removed in 2000. Currently 69. Have been on estrogen now for 4 years and have noticed a significant improvement in my overall health. Adjusting the patch dose, as I was getting tender breast’s at the 0.05mg/d strength, but a minor issue.
Don't know if you'll see this but I want to thank you for your comment. I'm 62, and I've been in menopause for 10 years, no HRT. My doctor wouldn't recommend it due to my mother's DCIS. She had surgery, no follow up and no recurrence, and my sister had the same. Mom died of a massive heart attack. I've been interested in taking estrogen for a while but no one will write a prescription for me, and my gynecologist will only agree to Estradiol vaginal cream to address issues that interfered with my sex life after hysterectomy. But you're taking it, started in your 60s, and are getting the benefits that I want. The search is renewed! I'll find a doctor who will listen! Thanks for the encouragement.
It’s been life altering for me. Good luck! Midi Health can help you get the relief you need.
https://www.joinmidi.com/?campaignid=21467515332&utm_campaign=&adgroupid=&keyword=&matchtype=&network=x&device=m&extensionid=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwveK4BhD4ARIsAKy6pMI0CnpPnz71f27EyfPD-yrx4bsBUpkTtFpFA3xyGm4KsG0DkwKqbs4aAn_KEALw_wcB
Midi Health cannot work with Medicare patients. I tried than, and they were initially helpful the. Had to back out of my care due to that restriction.
I now work with Alloy, which is MD moderated and private pay. $160 / 3 month for patches.
Ah, good to know! Thank you.
I saw this last night when I started looking at online providers. I'm not on Medicare yet but my insurance isn't listed so I am considering Alloy now. Thanks!
Thank you I will!
I've just requested the book from my library.
Taking estrogen is a decision not to make lightly. Not all women who have had hysterectomies need this. One size does not fit all! It’s concerning that you tell women to run out and get estrogen. I’m speaking as a person who had a total hysterectomy at age 51. Maybe I’m unusual. I did not suffer the effects of instant menopause. No hot flashes, brain fog, etc. Maybe I’d be a few pounds lighter if I took estrogen but there’s other ways to lose weight. Don’t extrapolate your personal experience as advice for everyone else.
I'm not telling women to run out and get estrogen. I'm presenting evidence-based studies and breaking them down for the layperson. Obviously, not every woman can take estrogen. For example, women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. But the science is becoming clearer and clearer: estrogen is not just for hot flashes. There is evidence--good evidence--to show it aids in osteoporosis prevention, heart disease prevention, and maybe even dementia-prevention, although the latter is still being studied.