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Hormone Replacement and what is the worst thing you go through without it?
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sugarshack31 posted:
I've been off of my hormone replacement for quite some time, about 7 months now. What is the worst symptom that you go through without it? All of sudden I have no energy. Could that be a major part due to your hormones being out of whack?
Thanks
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Anon_6061 responded:
I'm in surgical menopause which is no fun! I have the following symptoms when my estrogen is too low (listed in order of severity) - severe depression, anxiety, severely interrupted sleep, no motivation (partly from lack of energy but mostly no interest in life), poor memory, poor concentration, hot flashes, dry skin and eyes.
 
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Mary Jane Minkin, MD replied to Anon_6061's response:
Dear Anon_6061,
Have you talked with your gynecologist who did the hysterectomy about going on estrogen? Remember, in the Women's Health Initiative, women on estrogen only (who had had hysterectomies) had no increased risk of breast cancer, after 7 years of therapy; and indeed, for young women, like yourself, the health results were quite favorable. And you'd feel a lot better-so do speak with your gynecologist about the possibility,
Good luck,
Mary Jane
 
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Anon_6061 replied to Mary Jane Minkin, MD's response:
Dr. Minkin,
I've been on estrogen since shortly after the hysterectomy. My surgeon (my gynecologist) Rx'd the highest dose patch but refused to see me when I complained of still having so many symptoms. It's been a struggle to find a doctor who understands the "trial and error" nature of hormone replacement especially after surgical menopause.
 
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Paladin9 responded:
My mother had a hysterectomy at 47 and she never took anything. She had hot flashes as well as the other symptoms but they were never severe. She is 82 and doing well. She still has hot flashes but they seemed to diminish over the years.

I think it depends on the woman. I am going through peri menopause and I am not taking anything for it. I don't know if this is hereditary. I have low energy, night sweats, dry skin and eyes but I am doing ok. I think of the women from a long time ago. What did they do if they did anything at all?
 
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Mary Jane Minkin, MD replied to Anon_6061's response:
Dear Anon_6061,
Sorry I've been off for a week-a couple of suggestions: one, ask your doctor to measure a blood estradiol level; sometimes women aren't absorbing things properly, even with a patch-so ask him or her to check the blood level. The other possibility for some of your symptoms would be to add some testosterone cream; alas, the FDA hasn't approved an official testosterone for women, but you can get some from a compounding pharmacy; and with your ovaries gone, they aren't making any testosterone. So two possibilities are here: perhaps you need more estrogen, and perhaps a bit of testosterone would help you. If you don't feel that you are communicating well with your health care provider, you can always go to the website of the North American Menopause Society, menopause.org to find a certified menopause practitioner near you.
Good luck,
Mary Jane
 
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Anon_6061 replied to Mary Jane Minkin, MD's response:
Thanks, Dr. Minkin. I think I'm fairly set with my estrogen now. I've tried testosterone cream on a couple of occasions; it didn't make a difference.


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