Hysterectomy and Natural Progesterone
Our Network is swamped weekly by letters from women seeking a no-nonsense explanation as to why progesterone replacement therapy is relevant following a hysterectomy. A more indepth exploration of the real facts about hysterectomy, associated risks, deciding factors, and the need to replace your missing hormones are discussed in detail in our Resource Library. But let’s briefly clear up some points:
Point #1
A hysterectomy is a procedure which involves the removal of the uterus and is sometimes done along with an oophorectomy (also called ovariectomy) which is the removal of the ovaries.
Point #2
Our ovaries produce the lion’s share of our estrogen, progesterone and testosterone during the years leading up to menopause.
Point #3
The blood supply of the ovaries is a branch of the uterine artery that is cut & tied off (ligated) during a hysterectomy. The loss of this blood supply by the ovaries routinely results in ovary dysfunction or atrophy, and subsequent loss of hormone production within 1-3 years.
Point #4
If you’re had your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy, you will require immediate hormone replacement therapy to offset the health risks and side effects of surgically induced menopause (hot flashes, fatigue, depression, hair loss, headaches, heart palpitation, mood swings, loss of sex drive, vaginal dryness, urinary tract problems). If your ovaries were left intact following the removal of your uterus, you will more than likely require hormone replacement therapy within 1-3 years.
Point #5
A hysterectomy puts a woman in a higher risk bracket for heart disease, arthritis and osteoporosis.
Point #6
Following a hysterectomy, testosterone and DHEA levels will drop by half of what is normal. Progesterone production will drop to virtually zero. However, a majority of women, particularly those from industrialised countries where we tend to carry more body fat, have enough fat cells to make sufficient estrogen when our ovaries give out. Thinner women may need estrogen replacement therapy.
Point #7
Whether you have a uterus or not, estrogen replacement therapy SHOULD NEVER be given without progesterone.
Point #8
Steer clear of artificial HRT. Ask your doctor to use human-identical hormones.
Point #9
Bioidentical progesterone, estriol and/or testosterone replacement therapy can be purchased from your compounding pharmacist as individual transdermal creams. But make sure you buy each hormone in a separate dispenser since you’ll need to adjust dosage of EACH hormone according to periodic salivary hormone profiles.
Point #10
In time, progesterone supplementation alone may potentially offer women a complete hormone balancing solution to the after-affects of a hysterectomy.
Rhonda shares her personal journey:
"I had a partial hysterectomy in May of ‘97 at the age of 33. Entering my second year after post op, my world fell apart with symptoms had I no clue I could ever have at such a young age. I was finally introduced to natural progesterone in June of 2003 and I cannot get over how it has changed my life. I no longer have the migraine headaches, I am no longer depressed, I have gone off of ALL medications, no more chest pains, heart palpitations, no nervous leg syndrome, I have now lost a total of 28 pounds, my libido is out of this world. Almost ALL of my symptoms have left. I live a very happy productive life and have now gone on to educate other women about natural progesterone and what it can do to their lives."
– Rhonda
Related information
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A Guide to Using Bioidentical Progesterone to Facilitate Fertility and Support Pregnancy
A 60 Day User Guide
A 60 Day User Guide
This publication is a MUST HAVE consumer guide to purchasing and using bioidentical progesterone.
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Joani | Sep 19, 2008 | Reply
I am just so overwhelmed right now by the info I just found on progesterone. I had a Total abdm. hysterectomy exactly one year ago. At first I was just high on life, that was short lived as soon as the depression, migraines, weight gain, decrease in libido, extreme fatigue and on and on. I had ran into a ARNP who is going to specialize in women’s health and told me to try this natural progesterone. After reading your info, I can’t wait to RUN to the store and try it. Could there be light at the end of the tunnel (posthysterectally speaking)?
LT | Feb 19, 2009 | Reply
I had a partial Hysterectomy at age 40 in 1998 for fibroids. 2 months later I lost all desire for sex and it never returned. My MD told me it was in my head. Now, 10 years later, I think I have discovered why this happened I and plan to take Natural Progesterone. I wish I had known sooner, and I am sure my long-suffering husband would agree!