Hello, hello!
I hope you guys all had a great weekend! I’m pretty sure we just had our last “normal” weekend until like…um, well, January. Ha! When I look at all of my weekends between here and Christmas, they all pretty much say #allthesports on them so, I drank extra coffee, slept a little bit later and enjoyed a touch of laziness this weekend hoping it will last me for you know…um 9 months. #momlife
Today, I’m wrapping up all the hysterectomy and HRT talk with a Q&A based on last week’s questions. On Friday afternoon when I was compiling all of these, my heart was full because there are SO MANY of us in the same boat!! So many of us are struggling with feminine health issues, and it’s always just so encouraging to know you’re not alone.
As always, I’m not a doctor, I’m not an expert, I can only address MY STORY here, so I’m sorry if I can’t answer all the technical questions. I strongly encourage anyone out there who doesn’t feel “right” or doesn’t feel “heard” at the doctor to get another opinion. Your health is too important to dismiss, and if your gut is telling you that something is wrong, I would encourage you to seek answers.
Okay, you asked and I’m going to answer…
I’ve had so many friends have uterine ablations, but my OB never thought it was a right fit for me. When I was seeking other opinions about having a hysterectomy, none of the other doctors thought it was an option for me either.
You should totally ask your OB their thoughts and opinions about this, but when you remove the girl parts, you’re removing hormone producing organs in your body, so you need to offset that (especially if you don’t have ovaries!) with something else.
You should only do HRT if your levels are not in the normal range. I’ve had several friends want to try HRT because they’ve seen how positive it’s been for me only to be told that no, they don’t need it as their levels are all within the normal range. So…if your levels are normal, no, you don’t need to do it, but if your levels are low, then yes, I would imagine you would feel even more amazing on HRT. It all starts with finding out what your levels are right now.
Every doctor I spoke with was excited that I was already doing HRT whether I kept my ovaries or not. That being said, I think it’s a general rule that it’s not necessary if you keep your ovaries but beneficial. Every doctor I spoke with said that if you remove your ovaries, you really must do HRT or else your overall quality of life will change dramatically. Ask your doctor about their opinion, but I was pleased that everyone I spoke with seemed to be on the same page.
The three main places I went to over the last 6 years for HRT all treated men too, so yes!!
I was 32! You can read more about the beginning of my journey in my first post on HRT.
Yes and no. I wasn’t nervous about the HRT part as it was already in place, and I felt completely confident in that, but I was nervous (to an extent) about having surgery. That being said, everyone at my doctor’s office kept telling me how simple the procedure and recovery would be, so I kept clinging to that. Dr. Riegel probably did thousands of hysterectomies over his 25+ years as well, and he kept telling me how easy it would be. I can’t stress enough to look for a doctor that specializes in this type of surgery. The robotic hysterectomy felt so minimally invasive to me and even though it was major surgery, it felt very manageable.
No but that was one of my symptoms letting me know my hormones were off. In fact, I would say that any time I haven’t been up to date on my hormones (like when we’ve traveled for longer periods of time, so I was late getting my injections…back when I went to a clinic and didn’t do them myself), hot flashes, night sweats and hormonal acne are always the first three things to come back and then immediately subside once I get my hormone levels back to normal.
I started HRT six years ago (when I had ovaries!), so that wasn’t why I began, but yes, when I had my hysterectomy, I also had them take my ovaries too.
I was only on birth control for a hot minute. Andrew and I tried to start having a family early on and then, I didn’t get back on because it took us so long/didn’t work for so long/I didn’t have a period/and then Andrew had a vasectomy, so it wasn’t needed. A few times, my fibroids would get so bad, that I would get on for a month just to get them to subside, but then I would get off when they stopped. I tried to think about when the last time that was, and it’s been a long time.
For me, it has been relief. I feel so at peace with my decision and have no regrets.
For me, that chapter was closed a long time ago, so no, but I can totally see how it would affect other women.
I have no idea what goes on in those med spas, but I have always gone to an actual MD for my HRT.
My first foray into HRT was with pellets! The first time I did them, I felt AMAZING!!! I was a walking billboard for them. They worked immediately, and I could not have been happier. The second time I did them, I felt nothing..so I was stuck because I couldn’t do any other HRT (because the pellet was still inside of me), but I had all the symptoms of someone not doing HRT…so, I never did them again.
So many great conversations backed by research with all of the doctors I have used. I think that is a great question that everyone should ask. If you don’t have a HRT doctor, I know that is something Dr. Riegel would be happy to address with any new patient as well. You can see his info HERE.
He didn’t. Andrew had two kiddos and was ready to move on to the next phase of life.
I think the first questions are what are my hormone levels and how do they fit into the normal range? If they’re not in the normal range, how close are they? What might the side effects be for me due to where they are? What could I do to get them in the normal range and what would the effects be at that point? I would start there.
Looking back, the biggest focus seemed to be how I didn’t have a period and then would I would get one, even on all of those fertility meds, how my body didn’t respond like it should. I would do all of those meds and treatments and then not have follicles. It was always like you could pump me full of stuff but the uterus and ovaries just did not want to play ball, but YES, my hormone levels were off and that was part of the discussion too.
There are several ways to have a hysterectomy. Once I learned about robotic ones, I was very interested in that method as it did seem least invasive. The robot goes into those four small incisions and then the parts come out vaginally. I had two different doctors tell me it only takes between 15 and 20 minutes total each time they do one.
The dermatologist was actually the first person to tip me off. I had hormonal acne on my chin and lower jaw that just would not go away. It was deep, painful and persistent for about two years. I was exhausted, but heck, at this point, I had two really small kids, was building a house and in the process of adopting a child from China, so I thought “of course, I’m exhausted!”. He tipped me off to a hormonal imbalance and then a friend at church kept mentioning how she was doing it and so I went for a consult.
I did! Sometimes, they felt manageable and other times, they drove me mad. I really can’t think of a better word than that…MAD. When they would get reallllly bad, a few days on a birth control pill would make them go away. I’m so sorry! They were awful!
For me, recommendations from my friends and family have always been the way I find doctors. I just don’t think there’s a better way than a good old fashioned rec from someone you love, trust and respect.
For my hysterectomy? I really think loving my doctor, having as much information as possible upfront (getting multiple opinions), talking to other women I knew who had had one and arming myself with all of that…really gave me peace of mind.
You can read all about my new regime HERE. I give myself one injection a week. Easy as that!
Nope, never. I’m done. And HRT for me was all about my own physical symptoms, but I do believe there is a whole other side of it that deals with loss of sex drive/sex issues/etc.
It’s so hard to tell because after my last pregnancy I was kind of a hot mess, but I would say that right around 30 was probably when I started realizing I wasn’t feeling like my best self (I had Smith when I was 28), but didn’t start HRT until I was 32.
There are a million different symptoms of having hormone levels not in the “normal” range that run the gamut, but for me specifically, it was more about hormonal acne, hot flashes, night sweats and very low energy.
I have not.
My hysterectomy? It affected them only in the way it would affect any family when mom has surgery. I wasn’t my normal self/couldn’t lift anything/couldn’t drive for a while, things like that. Other than those normal things, it didn’t affect them at all.
Good question! Okay, after my second pellet (again, read about that HERE), it wasn’t working. I knew then that it wouldn’t be a good process for me as I want it to work every time if I’m going to pay for it/depend on it/not be able to do anything else while it’s in me. So, I just started asking around. For a hot minute, I used creams but didn’t see/feel any results and then, I was encouraged to visit the clinic where they do HRT for both men and women using injections, and that worked really well for me (which is why I did it for so many years). I would have been happy doing that forever…except, Dr. Riegel made it so easy for me to switch as he seemed even more knowledgable, helped me even more understand my particular situation and made it so easy to give myself the injections at home which is so convenient! I no longer have to drive to the clinic and wait, I can take them with me when I travel and never miss…it is just so custom and specific for me.
From what I hear, there are so many, right? Hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, weight gain, etc. I’m post-menopausal now and not suffering from any symptoms at all (I give 100% of the credit to HRT). I actually feel better today than I did at 17. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true.
I mean to tell you, WHEW!
I am so thankful for this community where I can be transparent about my life and you can make me feel like I’m not alone. I hope that at least one of you was helped today. Don’t forget, to see all of the info about my journey up to this point, you need to read these post:
HORMONES
I HAD A HYSTERECTOMY
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY PART TWO
In those posts, I share all of the details about everything. Also, don’t forget, you can reach out to my HRT doctor (who was also an OBGYN for over 25 years) HERE. You don’t have to be local to use him as he takes on patients all over the country via virtual appointments and technology. He’s amazing!
Okay, tomorrow, how about we lighten the mood and talk about something frivolous and fun? Sound like a plan? See you then! 😉
Laura says
I had a hysterectomy 16 years ago. I kept my ovaries, but it was evident to me within 6 months that my hormones started to crash. My GYN didn’t check my hormone levels, but did give me a “pill”. It did nothing. I found a doctor that “tweaked” hormones. It has been life changing. Most “typical” physicians are not educated in hormone replacement and are not helpful or just don’t believe in it.
It is very simple and scientific. Blood work to identify deficiencies, prescribe meds to those specific hormones and repeat blood work weeks later to see if they need to be adjusted. I currently take cream, pills and injections at home. I have blood work done every 6 months to see if they need to be tweaked.
I have been on HRT for 16 years and I don’t plan to ever stop. Thankfully, I have never had a hot flash.
The great bonus for me is that my insurance pays for all of my blood work and my hormone replacement.
Mix and Match Mama says
I won’t ever stop either!
Christin says
That’s awesome that your insurance pays for the hormone replacement too. I’m just starting down this whole path. What insurance do you use?
Laura says
BCBS. I know there are different plans but it is certainly worth a try. Even if the provider doesn’t accept insurance, you can file for reimbursement yourself if it is a covered expense.
Christin says
I have BCBS, I’ll give them a call. Thank you!!
Dee says
This is interesting because when I had my hysterectomy years ago I never wanted to do HRT due to the it being a high risk for breast cancer years down the line. Did you ever have concerns about that?
Mix and Match Mama says
You should really reach out to a physician that specializes in this as research is now showing the right kind of HRT reduces your risk of breast cancer. You shouldn’t trust me though, go to an expert!
Jami says
Hi there… this is for any reader who needs a hysterectomy and takes it all out and is told no HRT, it’s not the end. I had a total hysterectomy in Aug 2018. I had cancerous cells in my uterus and due to the unique nature of it.. I was 39, not overweight, no previous history.. the doctor was concerned about doing HRT. So many female cancers can be estrogen induced. A few months after surgery I lost 25 lbs and have never felt better. I take a Vitamin D supplement and make sure to exercise or walk almost every day. I rarely experience hot flashes, mainly just night sweats. I definitely believe my hormones were off to begin with.. I mean something caused the cancer. I just wanted to say going through a hysterectomy and losing your ovaries and not doing HRT will not lower your qualify of life. I honestly was freaking out at first and if I had read this prior to my surgery and my doctor was saying no to HRT I would be even more freaked out. Just wanted to be encouraged to those that can’t do HRT
Natalie Mitchamore says
I’m in the same position as you. I had a complete Hysterectomy at 38, which was 2 1/2 years ago. Every Dr I’ve spoken to says to avoid HRT because of the cancer in my family. I no longer have hot flashes and feel great!
Jami says
That’s good to hear! I think the weight loss helped me a lot.. I wasn’t super overweight.. just could have used to shed a few pounds. I tried really hard to maintain a positive attitude and it’s helped. Crazy enough this morning I had additional images and an ultrasound after my mammogram. Thankfully it all turned out okay. Now when all my friends go through menopause I can sit back and say… been there done that.
Linda says
How long will you take HRT? Is there an age where the risks outweigh will the benefits?
Mix and Match Mama says
Forever! If you have specific questions, totally ask a HRT specialist. I’m really encouraged by what it has done for me over the years.
Angie says
I’m glad HRT works so well for you, but women need to know that it doesn’t work for everyone. I have had several friends that tried it and it sent them into a major depression until the HRT was out of their system. Every doctor I have talked to about it has advised me against it (my maternal grandmother had breast cancer which later returned and showed up elsewhere); so, between knowing how it affected several of my friends and being advised against using it by doctors, I have chosen to not use it. Not knocking it, just throwing out some other things to be aware of. I am 54 and postmenopausal for 3+ years now. I have found an all natural way to deal with the hot flashes and night sweats, which is what affected me. Hormones are a tricky thing, and treatment can be tricky as well. Thanks for all the info!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Thank you for sharing, Shay! Every post I am in awe of how brave you are! I’m sure you’ve helped so many women out with your posts! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Sheaffer Sims says
I know this post will help a lot of people!
Molly says
There is a huge difference between bio-identical HRT and synthetic HRT. Which one are you doing? Pros and cons of each?
Mix and Match Mama says
I am on bio-identical hormones!
Mary Anne Duke says
I was positive for the BRACA 2 gene. Happily had a hysterectomy robotically and it was great. If you need a hysterectomy go with a doctor that does it robotically. It sounded crazy to me 5 years ago but the difference in recovery time is AMAZING.
Kendall says
Were you nervous at first to do a shot on yourself? I’m sure if you had a fear of needles before that it’s gone now! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Suuuuuuper nervous! Geez, YES!!! I was so nervous! I don’t think twice about it now!
Erika Slaughter says
I love a q and a!! HRT has helped me sleep SO much better at night! I think that’s been the biggest blessing for me!
Laci says
I am so glad you are advocating for women’s health!! What a blessing to feel better!!!
Karen says
Great info! I’m having a hysterectomy in three weeks! I noticed your bed on IG this morning…..mine is similarly high. Were you able to get in and out of bed ok right after coming home? I’m thinking I might be sleeping in the recliner for a few days….?
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a great question! Yes, I was able to get in and out without any problems. For me, lying down was the hardest/worst part. Best of luck to YOU!!!!!
Katey says
You may have already answered this, but do you still take thryoid medicine even with HRT?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I take a pill for my thyroid because my HRT is not for my thyroid.
Crissy says
Does insurance cover HRT or can you share approximate cost of HRT.
Thanks
Mix and Match Mama says
Mine has always paid for some of it (like the lab work!). I really think it varies between carriers and physicians.
Casey says
I would really encourage you to clarify that you’re doing bio-identical HRT. I think the women concerned assume you’re doing regular HRT, which can be extremely dangerous (can lead to stroke, cause cancer, etc.). Bio-identical HRT is super safe and actually cancer-preventative. I think explaining the difference would put a lot of minds at ease. Also, I would hate for women to run out and find a doctor who puts them on HRT!!
Sara says
Thank you so much for sharing! Would you ever consider doing a post on your thyroid condition/medication? About 6 months ago, right after my first child, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Hashimotos disease and put on levothyroxine—still figuring out the correct dosage for where my levels are at and how to manage my symptoms. I would love to hear more about your thyroid issues or symptoms, your medication journey and if going GF has helped with your thyroid condition/levels/symptoms at all?
Carissa says
Are your HRT injections covered by insurance? Just curious, because I did the pellets as well and it can get pricey. I’m so glad you are feeling amazing!
Mix and Match Mama says
It all depends on your doctor and your insurance. For me, things like blood work are covered…it all probably varies.
Lora says
Great post but I’m going to disagree with the assertion that every woman must take HRT or her quality of life will suffer. I cannot take HRT because of a pretty serious medical complication and my quality of life has not suffered at all. I’m 7 years post-menopausal.
Mix and Match Mama says
I think everyone who doesn’t have hormone levels in the normal range should do HRT. If your levels are normal, then no, you totally don’t need it!
Joanne says
I am so thankful for you for being so open and transparent! I am just finishing up my first month of a 3 month stint with birth control pills in the hopes that they’ll help my fibroid and I can avoid a hysterectomy but honestly? I regret agreeing to giving the 3 months a try… the pill is causing all sorts of crazy hormone side effects like hot flashes and night sweats and while the bleeding is considerably less the pain is just not changing. When I started down this road 5 months ago I just kept hoping and praying anything but a hysterectomy.. now I’m like “It’s fine, it’s doable, I’ll be OK… you can take it all out now. I’ve had enough and tried enough.”
Mix and Match Mama says
Best of luck, Joanne!!! I hope you find the right solution SOON!