I have read that HRT causes cancer, I am very confused because I am about to have a full hysterectomy in about 3 weeks due to endometriosis stage IV that is spread all over my pelvic area and now increasingly on my bowels which has left me with no quality of life, after 2 laparoscopies and hormone pills ,2x coils to manage the pain and the disease it seams it doesn't want to leave me alone. So the only option that my doctor from central London suggested was to remove my ovaries and uterus and try to clean out all endometriosis adhesions especially on the wall of my bowel which unfortunately has down a loop 3 x , ( how that happened I don't know!) But what I am confused about is HRT after my hysterectomy. I would like to have option which give me the least side effects possible.
I feel very anxious about everything because I have the feeling that I will be DEWOMANED and also afraid that I will not be pain free as I wish so much. I'm don't have children , only 40 years but if I am not able to have children of my own , maybe one adopt.
Thank you , any advises are most welcomed ...pros & cons
Was it a professional document because if it is I'll contact the moderator and ask him to check. Do you think doctors here in the UK would prescribe a drug that causes cancer? Read the new NICE guidelines available on the web (Google NICE Guidelines) and read the most up to date information that all doctors and nurses now use.
As Matron said, please read the NICE guidelines. Any risks associated with HRT are very small indeed and outweighed by the benefits for many women. I had my hysterectomy at 29 (I still have my ovaries) and still feel very much a woman at the age of 59. Please don't be scared and read some of the other recent discussions on here from others women deciding if they should start HRT. Good luck with your operation.
Hi ive had the same op I think BSO it left me pain free after. I had some endometriosis found whilst operating on larger fibroids. At first I took a blood pressure meds for the hot flashes but I didn't like the sleeping side effects I think it was called Clonidine. Otherwise there are a variety of Hrt at low doses that are not supposed to stimulate the Endo as much. I started with the lowest dose of Premarin then moved up from there. But if you don't want too much absorbing then patches and gels might be a better option
If your lucky and don't suffer too badly then you could try the homeopathic stuff ie. Wild yam, black cohosh etc.
Unfortunately for me my Vaginal Atrophy is now is worse due to the immediate onset of the menopause and I now have to take Hrt at a higher dose to manage it.
Hopefully some others will have more experiences to help :-)
Hi. I had same op in May just after I turned 40 for exactly same reason. I'm on hrt. I think there may be a concern for women that have a strong family history of cancer with estrogen reliance or have had it already but you need it for your own health so will be offered it at least til natural menopause age or beyond. Good luck with decision I know it's not easy. The lovely people on here helped me through it all