HRT after endometrial cancer surgery

Hi . I was fortunate and had already sailed through my menopause without needing to take any supplements and only suffered hot flushes. This was all before I was diagnosed at age 67. 

I've read here several times that Consultants are loath to prescribe HRT as our particular cancer is hormone fed (Oestrogen). As for the insomnia, I must say I haven't slept properly for years, when I was working it did effect me a bit but now I'm retired not so much a problem. Strange thing is no matter how little sleep I get at night I don't sleep to compensate during the day whereas if my hubby has a bad night he'll sleep all day to make up.

Hope it get resolved soon, Hugs, B xx

Hi B, thank you for your lovely response .It is good to hear other consultants are giving same advice. Think I will wait a little while longer and hope insomnia improves before I consider HRT. 

Hi Col20,

My take on HRT is slightly different.

Back in my 20's I had a late miscarriage (20weeks). My hormones were all over the place afterwards, and I had some awful days. I remember trying to jump off a low wall and falling as if my legs wouldn't support me any more.  Fast forward to my 50's, and I was offered HRT. I refused, thinking I did not want any more messing with my hormones, and my body could sort itself out!! I am now 77 and have had no osteoporosis as was warned, and I managed my menopause without anything, and with little discomfort. xxxxx 

Hi Col20. I too had a hysterectomy including removal of ovaries in May20 after an endometrial cancer diagnosis.  I was lucky in that it was grade 1 stage 1A - caught early.  However I have had really bad insomnia ever since (always slept well prior to op).  Consultant really against HRT as even though there is very limited evidence if any that HRT will cause recurrent cancer consultants don't appear to want to suggest even herbal treatments that mimic oestrogen.  My last resort is anti depressants & I have a GP appointment 1st Sept to discuss this option.  Not sure if my insomnia is caused by my night sweats or just part of the menopause side effects but working full time sat in front of a computer for 8 hours a day is very hard on an average of 3 hours sleep a night.  I would also love to hear if any one who has had endometrial cancer is now taking HRT.    

Hi Katie21, thank you for your sharing experience. I completely relate to difficulty getting a full nights sleep and then trying to get through full day at work. I have been referred back to my consultant to get better understanding of risks of taking HRT.. on waiting list for appointment but will share  my experience. 

Hi , I’ve just came across your post while I was looking for advice about HRT too (I haven’t been on the site for a couple of years) I’m 40 and had Grade 1 stage 1A cancer was treated with a hysterectomy in August 2017. My cancer was oestrogen receptive. I didn’t have any medication for a couple of years (trying to ride the menopause out) and then I had a bit of a meltdown and started fluoxetine a year or two ago. I started on 20mcg then went up to 40mcg per day. I’ve been doing well on the fluoxetine but I never feel rested and I’m always sleepy as I get really vivid dreams all night so I’m about to gradually stop it and start HRT. My consultant told me no to HRT initially but then discussed it with my menopause clinic doctor and said it would be ok in my case (that was a while ago and I had left it on the back burner whilst I tried the fluoxetine since it worked for everything except rest).  My other option was to try an alternative anti depressant to see if I can get one that works better for me (so there’s usually always a plan B). I think it’ll be a few months before I know how the HRT works but I’m happy to let you know how I get on or answer any other questions.
lots of love xxx

Hi Arla,  thank you for responding. Would love to hear how you get on with HRT. xxxx

Hi , just seen your post and that you've decided to wait, but thought I'd share my experience with HRT if it helps! 

I was 27 when diagnosed with endometrial cancer (grade 1, stage 1a) back in 2019, and had the (sadly usual) hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries. 

In my case, because of my age and early stage of my cancer, the consultants were very keen on prescribing HRT straightaway, saying the benefits of taking HRT far outweighed any chance of cancer reoccurring (cancer was oestrogen receptive but the alternative was facing 24 years of no oestrogen until the age of 'natural menopause' and the docs were really worried tambour the possible repercussions of that). 

I was quite anxious about it at first, but I had several consultants at different hospitals give me the same opinion so I decided to start on it, about 3-4 months after my hysterectomy. 

I have now been taking an HRT treatment called oestrogel for about 18 months and it's definitely had a positive impact so far. It's quite easy to use (just a gel that you have to rub into your thighs once a day), and it did make a huge difference with the menopause symptoms I was experiencing (mostly flushes, night sweats, soreness, etc.). Not sure it's had much of an impact on my mood swings - I've also been on antidepressants for a year that have been more helpful with that. Still have insomnia but that was there before cancer anyway!

There are quite a few options out there in terms of what HRT you can take - I chose the gel as you don't have the risks of higher blood pressure, etc. you can get with tablets. I'm thinking of potentially switching to hormone patches though, as they might be more convenient when out and about (only just become a bit of a problem, since I did all my survivorship in covid times). The gel was quite good to start with though, as it's really easy for your menopause consultant to adapt the dosage depending on how you're feeling and what your blood tests say - just add a couple pumps! 

Anyway, I hope you find something that works for you and your symptoms get better! And let me know if you need any more info xxx

Lola

Hi , I’m about 2.5 weeks in on the HRT and I have noticed quite a big improvement already, I’m a lot more awake (although that could be the fluoxetine reduction) but so far I’m glad I’ve changed over, I’m on Evorel 25 patches for the first couple of months, the menopause doctor that I spoke to said ideally I’d be on Evorel 50 to protect my bones (but that the gradual approach is best with it as my body hasn’t had oestrogen in so long). My mood has been good so far too, although I’ve always been hormonal so I’ll see how that goes over the next wee while and try and remember to update again. I’m happy to answer any questions, I know how difficult it is to decide what’s best.

xx

Thank you Lola xxx  I am meeting with consultant next week and will definitely ask about oestrogel.  Would love to hear your experience if you change over to hormone patch xxxx