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Could Earlier HRT Have Made a Difference? My Post-Hysterectomy Journey
Two versions below!
✨ Short version first for those just browsing
📝 Full version underneath for anyone wanting the whole story
💡 Short Version:
Hi everyone 👋 I’m 56 now, but I had a hysterectomy at 38 (I kept one ovary). Over the years, I went through a LOT—mental health struggles, fibromyalgia, brain fog, and hospital stays.
A few weeks ago, things flared up again: awful sleep, zero energy, worsening brain fog, weight gain, and just feeling completely off. 😣
I talked to my doctor about switching from oral estrogen to the patch and asked if I could try progesterone—even though I don’t have a uterus. He was hesitant, but after a few appointments, he agreed. And WOW—what a difference. 🙌
I finally feel like myself again—maybe for the first time since before my hysterectomy.
💬 Has anyone else added progesterone after a hysterectomy—even without a uterus?
👇 Scroll down if you’d like to read my full story and details.
📝 Full Story:
I had a hysterectomy when I was 38, and I was able to keep one ovary. I’m now 56. After the surgery, my mental health crashed. I experienced suicidal thoughts, had several psychiatric hospitalizations, and completed two six-week stays at a recovery-focused mental health facility.
I was put on psychiatric medication, which helped somewhat, but I never truly felt like myself again. Around that time, I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia—I had pain from head to toe and struggled daily with severe brain fog. It got so bad that one doctor even prescribed stimulant medication typically used for ADD.
At age 50, I started having intense hot flashes, and my doctor put me on oral estrogen. It worked for a while. But just recently, everything came crashing back—exhaustion, poor sleep, worse brain fog, weight gain, and total burnout. 😔
My doctor ran some blood tests and found my ferritin (iron) was a little low. I started iron pills, but I still felt like something else was off. I eat meat, haven’t had a period in 20 years, and eat a pretty balanced diet (breakfast and dinner, plus snacks like apples, carrots, nuts, cheese, etc.).
Desperate for answers, I turned to ChatGPT (AI) to help me look deeper into hormone balance. It suggested I ask my doctor about switching from oral estrogen to a patch, and trying progesterone to help with sleep, mood, and balance—even post-hysterectomy.
My doctor agreed to the patch but didn’t want to prescribe progesterone since I don’t have a uterus. After four conversations (yes, four!), he finally agreed to let me try it.
And I am so thankful he did. 🙏
I feel more like my pre-hysterectomy self now—at 56—than I did at 39 right after the surgery.
This has made me wonder… if I had been given HRT support earlier, could I have avoided years of emotional pain and physical exhaustion? I’ll never know—but maybe this post will help someone else avoid the same.
If you’re struggling or just not feeling like yourself, you’re not alone. 💕
Feel free to share your experience too—this space is better when we lift each other up.
🌷 With kindness,
Pam
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" Has anyone else added progesterone after a hysterectomy, even without a uterus?"
Yes, for a trial period. It seems that women either love it or hate it. It didn't help me sleep and caused constipation. I'm not sure why your doctor was so hesitant to prescribe it for you. I don't think that's the norm.
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1 ReactionThank you kisu for your comment. I also thought it was silly. I had the hormone and now I don't why wouldn't you give it back right?!?
I will keep an eye out for constipation. Thanks for the heads up.
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1 ReactionI take it along with estradiol vaginal cream, estradiol patch, testosterone cream. Total hysterectomy at 69 but menopause at 38. No problems with progesterone
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1 ReactionDo you see the benefits of the testosterone and estrogen creams? Im wondering if I should ask my doctor for something similar. My doctor doesnt want to refer me to an endocrinologist even though he doesnt seem to know a lot about HRT. He is a good doctor for common ailments. He is an even better doctor to my husband, sadly.
Absolutely!! I started with the estradiol/testosterone pellet, progesterone capsules and vaginal estradiol cream..
No more urine leaks
No more senile purpura
Fabulous libido
No more vaginal atrophy
No more vaginal dryness.
Skin looks better and not dry.
No more brain fog
I went the functional medicine route
My provider.....a woman said vaginas love estrogen!
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1 ReactionI would strongly encourage you to find a doctor who better understands hormone therapy. The fact that you had to have 4 conversations with your doctor to get progesterone is revelatory regarding his knowledge and outlook, which is not in your favor (it is absolutely common knowledge that progesterone helps with sleep and mood and that you don't need a uterus to take it, nor is it dangerous to take). Also l
isten to Peter Attia's podcast "The Drive" - the episode with Dr. Rachel Rubin.
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4 ReactionsIn a world of I and me, thankful for even the brief moments of y'all sharing you.
I'm 45 and 4 weeks to the date post total hysterectomy: uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, lymph nodes. I was for all purposes peri-menopausal prior to surgery and had sought medical counsel with that. Mostly the initial testing due to the typical symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, weight gain despite good diet and no change in activity. Hormone panels with confirmation. And, at least I felt mentally okay about not feeling okay. But, did not a lot at the time. Just kept the course.
Because... We'd reached the peri diagnosis about the same time of finding the EIN, Adenomyosis, the Uterine Fibroids and the Cystic Strangulation of my Ovaries/Tubes. Let's just say, my entire abdomen was on the fritz. So, I didn't hesitate on the Surgery. I knew that I'd be catapulted straight into menopause.
Let me tell you... Day 3! Crash and burn. I emptied out. The hot flashes and the insomnia hit like a bomb. Then the total brain dysfunction. I'm not even calling this fog. On my list of fun things: I've washed a load of water, hopped in the backseat of my vehicle, and called for my dog tethered to the leash in my hand. Let's not count the word soup, abandoned cups of coffee, games of where are the car keys or stove burners left on. I could go on.
During my 2 week post op, I asked the Gynecological Oncologist about HRT. He said he didn't prescribe them but had a couple of meds on the list for hot flash relief. One was very new, top tier, expensive and has liver side effects. One is Paxil. I bowed out.
I went on the hunt. My PCP is great but overwhelmed with client base as part of a growing group. But, my town has a cash pay holistic provider that I'd heard wonderful things about. She was booked for two months, but I asked to be placed on a call list and landed a quick opening this last week. She prescribed estrogen patches, progesterone pills the day of the visit. Said that we'd discuss testosterone introduction during a future visit. In day 4 of HRT.
We also did a full fasted blood panel for hormones, vitamins, electrolytes, glucose... etc. So we can get a bigger picture of all of the body and a baseline greater plan for this chapter. Waiting on those results. In a time of complete spiral, it felt good to be heard.
My questions are to those who are on complete post hysterectomy regimen: HRT, Medication, Diet, Exercise. Specifically those who were not menopausal just yet and may have been perimenopausal. Maybe similar in age.
Looking for insight.