hormones, surgical menopause yes or no...scared

Hi , My name is Tiffany and I am 27 yrs old. I had a partial hysterectomy in June and am having my ovaries out this month. I am so confused about HRT...should I be starting it before I get home from the hospital or do I not need it. What are the pros and cons? I am 27 so does that make a difference? Thanks sooooo very much because I am so lost with all of this. I am scared to go through surgical menopause.

Hello, Tiffany! You have come to the right place. I can't tell you what you *should* do because only you can decide that, but my advice is to just read a lot of threads on this forum and the others and make sure you are informed before your operation. Don't panic - there is no need! I know it feels scary but all of us here have been where you are! We are all ready to help you and wishing you the very best! I think it's likely that you will need some HRT because you are losing your ovaries at 27, long before the age of natural menopause and without them you will have no oestrogen. Your body will need the benefits that you would normally have at that age if you still had your ovaries. In theory, as soon as you no longer have your ovaries you will need some form of oestrogen replacement because some of the side effects, such as hot flashes, may start almost immediately. You should definitely discuss with your doctor/surgeon/consultant what the options are and have it all worked out before you go to hospital. You will feel so much better if you know what to expect! There is a pre-hysterectomy forum on this site which you should have a look at - lots of useful advice there! Hope all goes well for you! Best wishes, Kimble.

Hi Tiffany, my own experience is that surgical menopause is really challenging and I could not function without HRT. I am 51 and was still blown away by the aftereffects! I am currently using pellet implants( bioidentical) and am thrilled. But not every woman will experience the same severity of symptoms. It is important to know though, that without ovaries at a young age, it is likely that you would benefit from HRT. Hormones affect hundreds of body systems and 27 is young to suddenly be deprived of them. Good luck! You will find tons of info here and lots of great woman willing and happy to share their experiences.

Hi Tiffany,
I am 35 and had my hysterectomy 4 weeks ago. I am taking HRT because of my age and the effects that having no estrogen can have on the body. I wish you luck!

Hello -

Again - I cant tell you what you should do - but, I can tell you what I went through. I had my TAH in April of 2009. My dr started me on Estrogen patch in the hospital before I ever went home, and then sent me home with scripts to fill. Even with starting the HRT the day I had surgery, I still went through heck with hot flashes and night sweats. I would have your dr do blood work now before your oopherectomy, so you know what your normal hormone levels are now. This way should you choose HRT, you can try to match the levels your body is used to. I hope this helps, I could not live without my hormones, let me re-phrase, my darling husband would not live without my hormones, lol.

Had my TAH almost 4 weeks ago at the age of 40 and had everything removed at the time, DR gave me a hormone shot the day after surgery that lasts about 2 weeks. When I brought up the HRT she said if needed we will discuss but for now I'm not on anything and lucky for me not having any problems. Hopefully things won't change as time goes by. SHe said that unless there are issues to wait and not take them.