These stories are based on information gathered from health
professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health
decisions.
Josie, age 35: Since having my uterus and
ovaries removed, I've been taking ERT. This makes a lot of sense to me, because
my ovaries would be producing estrogen until I hit menopause. When I'm the age
I'd expect to be menopausal, around age 50, I expect I'll stop or reduce the
estrogen I'm taking. That'll depend on what experts recommend by then.
Carla, age 28: I started taking ERT after a
radical hysterectomy and spent a number of months struggling with moodiness and
feeling depressed. It was probably because of the big changes in hormones after
my ovaries were removed. I worked closely with my doctor to make adjustments to
my hormone replacement. She replaced the oral estrogen with a patch. Now, I've been doing well for more than 5
years.
Anna, age 64: I took ERT for many years after
having my uterus and ovaries removed in my 30s. I figured I'd take it for the
rest of my life, since that is what my doctor said I should do. However, I
recently heard about the latest research on the risks of taking hormones, and
my doctor and I decided that I really don't need to take ERT. If I had risks for
osteoporosis and needed the estrogen to keep my bones strong, I'd take a low
dose, but I don't have any worries about weak bones.
Estella, age 58: I had a hysterectomy and
oophorectomy in my early 40s, but I didn't take ERT because my family has a
history of breast cancer that's linked to estrogen. The sudden menopause after
having my ovaries removed was pretty bad, but I took really good care of myself
with exercise, a good diet, and a lot of tricks for handling hot flashes, and I
got through it after a while.
