Hormone Replacement Therapy After Hysterectomy: Understanding Your Options

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Having a hysterectomy that includes removal of the ovaries causes menopause if the woman is not already postmenopausal. Hormone replacement therapy after a hysterectomy can treat the symptoms of the sudden onset of menopause, but this treatment is not appropriate for all women.

Types

• Hormone replacement therapy may contain estrogen only, which is most effective for women who have had a hysterectomy, or a combination of estrogen and progestin.

Delivery Methods

• Hormone replacement therapy can be delivered into the body through the skin such as a patch or topical cream, through the vagina or taken as a pill.

Physical Effects

• Hot flashes and night sweats that happen after a hysterectomy can be reduced or even prevented by hormone replacement therapy.

Sexual Effects

• According to the Mayo Clinic, hormone replacement therapy after a hysterectomy can reduce sexual side effects such as vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse.

Benefits

• Women who take hormone replacement therapy after a hysterectomy decrease their risk of developing cancer of the colon and osteoporosis, which causes bone fractures in postmenopausal women.

Risks

• The risks of using hormone replacement therapy include a higher chance of developing breast cancer, having a stroke, blood clots or heart attack.

Warning

• Women who have had breast cancer, stroke or a heart attack should not use hormone replacement therapy to treat the side effects of a hysterectomy.