Menopause Specialist

How Does HRT Work?

When a woman has a hysterectomy, her female reproductive organs are removed. This takes away the ovaries which are responsible for producing estrogen. With a partial hysterectomy, a small portion of one or both of the ovaries is left behind so that natural hormone production won't be disrupted. If a complete hysterectomy is performed, the doctor may try to bring the woman's hormones back into balance through the use of hormone replacement therapy. This can be accomplished through the use of patches, shots, or oral medications. Each woman's hormone balance is unique, so there may have to be several attempts until the appropriate dosage is discovered.

Does a Decrease in Estrogen Cause an Increased Risk of Cancer?

Women who have gone through menopause without any type of HRT are at a reduced risk of many types of cancers. It has been proven that continued use of birth control and hormone replacement therapy that introduces large amounts of synthetic estrogen into a woman’s body can increase her risk of cancer, especially when it comes to the reproductive organs. A woman's ovaries produce the majority of estrogen prior to menopause. After menopause, the estrogen a woman receives is produced from fatty tissues in the body. Doctor's believe that it isn't just the amount of estrogen in the blood, but also its source that affects the level of risk for most cancers.

Will Having a Hysterectomy Alleviate the Symptoms of Menopause?

A hysterectomy will eliminate the problems associated with abnormal periods, but may not do much to control the symptoms of menopause. Unless a small portion of ovary is left behind so that estrogen continues to be released, the symptoms of menopause may actually get worse. When a woman has a hysterectomy, most doctors will recommend hormone replacement therapy to help stabilize the woman's hormone levels and bring her body back into balance. If a woman's menopause symptoms are mild, she may be able to get by with dietary changes that introduce natural estrogens into her body.