Ask Emily — hormone replacement therapy
QUESTION:
If I’ve had a hysterectomy, do I need HRT?
ANSWER:
It depends on what kind of hysterectomy you had, how you feel and how old you are. With a partial hysterectomy (when only part of the uterus is removed) your ovaries remain intact, so you may not feel the need for any hormonal supplementation. A complete or total hysterectomy refers to the removal of the cervix and uterus, while the ovaries may or may not be removed. Sometimes even if the ovaries are not removed, they cease working as they did prior to the hysterectomy. In this case and in women who have had their ovaries removed, they are usually in what is called “surgical menopause”. This oftentimes requires some hormonal supplementation. If you have a hysterectomy at a young age (younger than age 45), we recommend supplementation with bioidentical estrogen until your body would normally taper estrogen production, which is typically around 45-50-years-old.
Learn more
More questions on hormone replacement therapy
The Personal Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the Clinic.
Last Modified: 02/16/2010