Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)-- also sometimes known as “Menopausal Hormone Therapy” or “MHT”, refers to prescription estrogen (with or without a progestogen) intended to reduce menopausal symptoms and, in the case of surgical menopause, to minimize the various health risks associated with premature menopause (i.e., before 40).

Following a bilateral oophorectomy (both ovaries removed), the patient immediately enters surgical menopause, meaning that they becomes postmenopausal right away.

Although there are some similarities between natural and surgical menopause, the needs for HRT are far greater in surgical menopause, and typical guidelines for HRT often do not apply in surgical menopause. This is because, relative to natural menopause, surgical menopause causes a faster hormone drop and lower overall levels of hormones in the long term.

The ultra-low levels of estrogen in surgical menopause can cause bothersome menopausal symptoms, but more importantly, they can reduce the length and quality of your lifespan by increasing risk of various serious health conditions. We will address each below.

HRT in surgical menopause reduces or eliminates bothersome menopausal symptoms, including:

For those under the age of 40 entering surgical menopause, using HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) also reduces or eliminates the serious long-term health risks associated with surgical menopause, including:

To summarize, surgical menopause is known to cause all of the above symptoms and health risks-- but these problems can generally be reduced or eliminated by using estrogen therapy following surgery through to the typical age of menopause (51 years). Most individuals in surgical menopause choose to continue some level of estrogen through at least age 60 to maintain symptom relief.

HRT can be taken quite safely by the vast majority of people in surgical menopause. See this section [link] for a discussion of risks, including potential concerns of those with familial cancer or blood clot risk or hormone-sensitive mood symptoms (e.g., Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD).

The type of HRT most suitable for you will depend on a variety of factors, including whether or not you had a hysterectomy as well as ovary removal (bilateral oophorectomy). See this section [link] for a discussion of various ways (patch, pill, ring, etc) to take HRT.

For more information about the specific hormones used in HRT (estrogen, progestogens, and testosterone), including methods of taking them (patches, gels, pills, etc.), and instructions for monitoring appropriate dosages, can be found here.

References:

​Visit www.iapmd.org/surgery for lots of evidence-based information and resources for those considering, going through or recovering from surgery for PMDD/PME.