1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Menopause

do I take HRT at age 54 post op TAH and BSO

Posted , 7 users are following.

sheila78226
sheila78226

Hi I am now day 5 post op and read the good and bad re HRT my specialist wasnt sure if it would offer any benefits however it appears coming off is quite unpleasant.

My recovery to date has been fantastic minimal discomfort, no PV bleeding and a very positive outlook, wake with a cracking headache which subsides with paracetamol.

Any advice would be welcome please

1 like, 19 replies

19 Replies

Next
  • froggy28
    froggy28 sheila78226

    Posted

    I had TLH and BSO so 3 months ago. I too felt good and had no bleeding until big bleed at two weeks from thinking I was healing well and did too much so please take it easy. I've not gone on hrt yet but plan to as forced menopause not fun although I do take fake hrt livial to help with flushes. There are herbal remedies that help if you don't want hrt but I've been told I'll stay on hrt into my 60s (20 years I'm 40 now) if that's what I want as ovaries continue to produce small amounts after menopause and we have nothing naturally now. I wish you well on your recovery. Walk lots as blood flow helps recovery but rest lots too.
  • sheryl37154
    sheryl37154 sheila78226

    Posted

    Don't go off hrt - you don't have to.  I have been on it for 25 years and will be using it forever.  My body needs it more than I need anti-depressants, pain killers, nerve medication, heart disease, divorce, etc. etc.

    When you read the 'bad' research, proper research - not blogs, take note under what circumstances the study was undertaken.  It may not be relevant to your circumstances.

     

    • sheryl37154
      sheryl37154

      Posted

      PS:  you don't have to wait either - that is a myth.  I went on to it immediately - I did not have to starve my body of oestrogen.  I had endometriosis too, but still no waiting.

       

    • froggy28
      froggy28 sheryl37154

      Posted

      Until last year waiting wasn't advised but research now shows that just 6 months prevent reoccurrence 80% in younger patients and tbh livial stops most of the symptoms apart from brain fog !! I am looking forward to that stopping I really hope it is estrogen dificiency causing it and that I will get my brain back. 😉
    • sheryl37154
      sheryl37154 froggy28

      Posted

      Progesterone also prevents reactivation of endometriosis.  I take 10mg of Provera/Ralovera per day with my oestrodiol patches.  It is better for the body to have smooth transition without oestrogen starvation.

      I was 38 at time of surgery, now 64.

    • froggy28
      froggy28 sheryl37154

      Posted

      I can't take combined due to mum having cancer they don't want to risk it and I have to trust them that combined is higher risk than estrogen alone. Its a minefield of info and research over years contradicts itself which doesn't help in making decisions!! Glad to know that it's all worked out for you. Did you have any further problems with endo?
    • sheryl37154
      sheryl37154 froggy28

      Posted

      Do you mean combined in one tablet?  No, neither would I.  The combined hrt seems to be progesterone 10 times oestrogen.  My progesterone is 1/10 of my estrogen patch.  Progesterone is meant to reduce the incidence of breast cancer too.

      It is really hard to tell re endo.  I think most my pain problem is adhesions from the surgery which I was told would go away 12 months after surgery.  Ha!  However, the surgeon did attempt to cut out every bit of endo that he could see right up to my diaphragm.  Whether the adhesions are from all that cutting out or not, I don't know, or the fact that a stupid nurse removed the catheter after a few hours instead of 48 hrs.  Then I could not pee and my bladder would swell up and probably stuck to my cut insides until a nurse could bring a manual catheter to relieve me.  The progesterone was suggested as a trial ... years later, still on it.  It is not hurting me.

      My maternal aunt had breast cancer, never used hrt, but her lifestyle was very unhealthy.  Despite that she survived the breast cancer.  Breast cancer is now connected to ovarian cancer.  They say remove ovaries and then no risk of breast cancer.  Well, my ovaries are gone anyway.  I would like to have it looked at, but gyne tells me that laser treatment not all that successful anyway.  Got too many other problems with haemochromatosis which prevents it making the top of the list.

      With research, read all the circumstances in which the study was undertaken.  There are a lot of restrictions which may not be applicable to you.  Don't just read the outcome, which is what makes the news, and has everyone panicking.

       

    • froggy28
      froggy28 sheryl37154

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. Yes most research is done with hrt for those taking it to ease natural menopause who still have ovaries. I'm definitely taking hrt estrogen due to research of those who don't take it following oophorectomy. I'll speak to Gp about adding progesterone at low levels alongside patch then if helps. I don't really want to take tablets so it goes straight to blood stream and not through liver.
  • sheila78226
    sheila78226

    Posted

    At 54 just not sure that I should need HRT as I am at an age where I should be a done deal.

    As a young lady I had to stop taking the pill due to the headaches suffered and these headaches are the same, after just 2 days of HRT, would like to see more benefits than side affects.

    • froggy28
      froggy28 sheila78226

      Posted

      You are right at 54 it may not be necessary and then only so if it suits you. No point if it makes you feel worse. Talk to your Gp and ask for more info. Good luck 😊
  • susan556
    susan556 sheila78226

    Posted

    Excuse my ignorance but what is TAH and BSO

    Sue

    • susan556
      susan556

      Posted

      ok i looked it up  

      A total abdominal hysterectomy, or TAH, is the removal of your uterus or womb. The cervix is also removed. 2. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or BSO is the removal of your tubes and ovaries.

      Sue

  • sheila78226
    sheila78226

    Posted

    Thank you so much for contact it really helped, enjoying the rest and being very good at not doing much as you hear of so many of us who feel ok but then come unstuck.

    Just off now for my afternoon nap, always taken in bed not on the sofa to ensure good restful sleep.

  • sheila78226
    sheila78226

    Posted

    Hi susan TAH is total abdominal hysterectomy and BSO is bilateral salpingo oppherectomy ( removal of both ovaries and falopian tubes)
  • pauline93338
    pauline93338 sheila78226

    Posted

    Hi Sheila. I had BOS and hysterectomy (not cervix) when I was 48. I had already been on HRT for 5 years by then. HRT really suited me and I felt great whilst on it. However, advice in the UK is you really should only take it for 5-10 years, so I started weaning myself off it and finally gave it up in Jan 2014. I am still having hot flushes and night sweats 18 months later! From what I can gather it seems HRT only delays some of the effects of the menopause. I take a Sage extract tablet in the morning and Black Cohosh at night and get some relief from the symptoms. If I had my time again I wouldn't go on it so early. Some women seem to sail through the menopause and hysterectomy, whilst others of us have a horrible time. I've noticed with my friends that we've followed our mothers patterns and if they had problems, so have we. Don't suffer though. If HRT makes you feel human again then take it and be happy, but you need to weigh up the risks.
    • sheryl37154
      sheryl37154 pauline93338

      Posted

      Good advice - but, it is a myth that you have to go off it.  Some women are  menopausal forever.  UK drs working on old info.

      I have been on it 25 years, and am now 64.  No risks.

       

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.