I had a complete hysterectomy 4 1/2 years ago. I am now 51. After 6 weeks of swearing to my doc that I did not want HRT, I caved! I began with the estridiol patch, which is supposed to be safer, and started at the lowest dosage available. After 1 year, I was up to the maximum dosage available (I'm sure you can combine them!), and really don't notice many typical symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, emortional mood swings and the like.

However, I am still noticing (although not as badly as pre-HRT!) the problems with memory. I am constantly searching for simple words! It is maddening! In addition, my cholesterol and triglycerides are also rising. They have always been borderline, and now I worry I will need to take medication for them, which is something I don't really want to do. My migraines have also increased. Along with my appetite and my waistline. I work out a lot, although running and HARD exercise seems to leave me with SO many aches and pains now, which is a new problem, as well. I also try to watch my diet fairly well, eating lots of veggies, fish, fiber, less red meat, that sort of thing. I have always been a water drinker. A glass of wine occassionally, too. My big achilles heel are sweets! And, it seems that I just can't turn my back to them as I once could.

So, I don't know if I should think about DC'ing the HRT and just getting through it, or keeping it up. There are plenty of positives, I guess. My new husband (2 years!) and I have a pretty good sex life, and that was one of my fears with NOT doing the HRT.

Is there really an answer?

Hi there and welcome to Powersurge.
I had a complete hysterectomy just over 2 years ago at age 54, ovaries removed too. I had endometrial cancer so I was not allowed any HRT at all . I felt desperate for about 18 months with hot sweats, anxiety, memory loss, loss of libido, and general lack of vitality. I was told by the doctors that most symptoms would go after about a year but I still get the hot flushes. I found that I began to feel much better after 18 months helped by starting on testosterone and a little estriol cream for dryness. I was offered estrogen replacement but I decided that as I had come so far without it, and there was a slight risk because of my cancer,I wouldn't take it.
I find that the testosterone helps with my libido and memory. It is much sharper and I have more zest for life. I was beginning to feel like an old lady, and now I have bags of energy and do lots of exercise. I also dont have so many aches and pains and my weight is fine.
You do know that estrogen can be responsible for food cravings, weight gain, and headaches if out of balance? I would guess if you have no uterus, you are not balancing your estrogen with progesterone, so you could be suffering with estrogen dominance. you can search for info on it on this site-I used to have it myself and it can make you feel really awful !
If you give up HRT you are going to have all the usual symptoms of menopause like hot sweats and anxiety.Giving up estrogen won't affect your sex life. I don't have any in my system apart from the little bit of cream I use occasionally. Its the testosterone which helps that and you don't say if you are using that also.
You have to decide if you are prepared for the horrid withdrawal symptoms when you stop estrogen. I had them dreadfully and it is no picnic. However you could try tailing it off gradually-that would be less distressing.
I feel fine now and would never start taking estrogen.I will never stop using testosterone either! One thing I have found that helps with the hot flushes is soy. It really helps to reduce them.
janet c

Thanks. I'm really wondering about stopping it. I have been using some balancing cream, but have been out for several weeks. I have some on order, and perhaps that will make the difference. I do not take testosterone, but maybe that is something that I should check into.

At first, after my hysterectomy, I was a total idiot at work, and that is not a good idea in my line of work. I really have to keep my wits about me as much as possible. The thought of going down that road again scares me a bit. I will ask my doc about balancing my hormones instead of just taking the estridiol. The weight gain is driving me nuts!