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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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!
nanna | Dec 27, 2010 | Reply
I had a total hysterectomy in 1995. I am 53 years old now. is it safe for me to use progesterone?
how long should i be using estrogen cream?
Catherine Rollins | Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
We do not make personal medical recommendations from this website. However, we do seek to give you the tools/information that will help you make good choices in your healthcare as it relates to bioidentical hormones.
The following link below will assist you to IDENTIFY hormone imbalance. Please make use of the ‘search’ option on this site to pull up articles around those areas of interest.
http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com/pdfs/Female-Hormone-Imbalance-Symptom-Checklist.pdf
Is progesterone safe – there is substantial information to support the safety & efficacy of bioidentical progesterone. The links below are a starting point …
http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com/category/progesterone-resources/consumer-safety/
http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com/category/progesterone-resources/medical-research-studies/
In light, love & laughter,
Catherine P. Rollins
Founder / CEO
Natural-Progesterone-Advisory-Network.com
Janet | Mar 21, 2011 | Reply
I have had a complete Hysterectomy. I have been using hormone replacement therapy for almost 11 years. I receive Hormone pellets that are surgically inserted on my right or left abdomen every 4-5 months. I love them.I receive no progesterone. Only Estrogen and testosterone. Because of the expense I can no longer have them. Now I am on estrogen gel and another cream that I insert into the vagina because of dryness. I ask about using progesterone. The Doctor told me I didn’t need it because it was only for protecting the lining of the uterus. Do you think I need progesterone since I want be getting any testosterone?
Karen | Jun 1, 2011 | Reply
Janet,
Most gynocologists are trained, and so tell patients, that you don’t need progesterone if you don’t have a uterus. Period. Proponents of Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy suggest that we need to replace all the natural hormones that we’ve lost after a hysterectomy and ovarian failure, or even natural menopause. In particular I’d investigate the role progesterone plays in bone formation. The cycle for bones seems to be estrogen breaks down bone so that new bone can form, and progesterone stimulates new bone formation. It may be essential to prevent osteoporosis, even though most gynos will not prescribe it. I have one now that will work with a compounding pharmacy for estrogen-the vaginal kind if a woman has problems with the few options for that type of estrogen, but she does not really balance hormones, so I am going to see a nurse practitioner that does. You have to find a doctor willing to balance hormone replacement again. Right now women seem to be lucky if their gynocologist will prescribe the bioidentical estrogen instead of the patented pharmaceutical drugs. I am also doing estrogen gel only, and waiting to try the other two hormones, progesterone and testosterone. Keep looking to find an affordable option. It may be that the pellets are too expensive but that other topical applications will work for you. Good luck, keep researching
I’m curious, with the pellets did you not have to use the vaginal estrogen? I am having issues with that and would like another alternative.
best,
Karen
Aja | Jun 3, 2011 | Reply
“I am 32 and had Endometiosis since I was 15. I was told I would never have kids.I have 3 children and my youngest is 3. In between them all i got worse, much worse. A year ago this past Halloween I had a partial Hyst. I felt great for a few months afterwards and then the tired, low, no-libido started creeping in. I am prediabetic so I thought maybe this was the issue. After doing some research I realized one or more of my hormones was off. I asked my OBGYN to test me and they didnt. They said I was sillly and to just wait it out. I immediatley called my irologist and went to see her. She tested me and said, “you already know what is wrong dont you?” I agreed and I started using a “natural” progesterone cream. If I make sure I use a pump every day I feel great. If I dont my breasts hurt and I feel awful. If anyone feels this way… get checked by a natural health person. Dont wait for “Western Medicine” to try and figure your body out. I want to take an herbal suppliment but I am not sure what to take. Please let me know if anyone has tried Chasteberry or wild Yam… or another herb.
Aja | Jun 3, 2011 | Reply
Go and see a natural nutritionalist. They are outlawed in some states, but I had many health problems that doctors couldnt figure out and 1 visit with my irologist and I was improving greatly after 4 days. Here in Utah the visit is only $45 the first visit. She saved my life.
Rebecca | Jun 13, 2011 | Reply
What is an irologist? Can’t find that term on the internet.
Robin | Aug 12, 2011 | Reply
I need some guidance…I have had a total hysterectomy AND I mean total….I have had no interest in sex…and this is wrong…I need help
Julie | Sep 26, 2011 | Reply
I had a hysterectomy in 1987 and have been experiencing menopause symptoms for the last 17 years. No doctor will give me HRT because I had a blood clot when I was 12. I am now 56. I am trying to decide whether to get an estrogen/progesterone or just a progesterone replacement cream to help with hot flashes, tiredness, foggy thinking etc. Which would be the best to use?