Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. Most of the time, a hysterectomy is done to treat a problem with the uterus, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis. An oophorectomy is surgery to remove the ovaries. Oophorectomy (say "oh-uh-fuh-REK-tuh-mee") may be done because of a growth on one or both ovaries, or to treat severe endometriosis, or breast cancer. It may also be done to lower the risk of ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Sometimes the ovaries are removed at the same time as a hysterectomy. ET is the use of man-made estrogen to replace the natural estrogen made by your ovaries. ET is available as a pill, a skin patch, a vaginal ring, or a cream or gel. Until menopause (around age 50), the ovaries make most of your body's estrogen. When your ovaries are removed, your estrogen levels suddenly drop. This causes early menopause. It can also increase your risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, because estrogen helps your bones stay strong. ET keeps estrogen levels up, which protects against bone thinning and helps prevent menopause symptoms. If you are in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, you may want to use ET to avoid sudden early menopause after having your ovaries removed. But if you have already gone through menopause, you probably don't need ET after an oophorectomy. Estrogen therapy: Estrogen therapy may increase the risk of health problems in a small number of people. This increase in risk depends on your age, your personal risk, and when ET is started. Talk with your doctor about these risks. Using ET may increase your risk of: You should not take ET if: If a close family relative has had breast cancer, ET may not be right for you. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Instead of ET, you might try other prescription medicines for menopause symptoms. You might also try cognitive behavioral therapy or mind and body relaxation to help with symptoms. To reduce your risk of osteoporosis, eat foods that are rich in calcium, and take vitamin D supplements. You might also try other medicines to prevent bone thinning. Your doctor might recommend ET after hysterectomy and oophorectomy if: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. Since having my uterus and ovaries removed, I've been taking ET. This makes a lot of sense to me, because my ovaries would be producing estrogen until I hit menopause. When I'm the age I'd expect to be menopausal, around age 50, I expect I'll stop or reduce the estrogen I'm taking. That'll depend on what experts recommend by then. Josie, age 35 I started taking ET after a radical hysterectomy and spent a number of months struggling with moodiness and feeling depressed. It was probably because of the big changes in hormones after my ovaries were removed. I worked closely with my doctor to make adjustments to my hormone replacement. She replaced the oral estrogen with a patch. Now, I've been doing well for more than 5 years. Carla, age 28 I took ET for many years after having my uterus and ovaries removed in my 30s. Recently, my doctor and I decided that I really don't need to take ET anymore. I'm doing other things to help keep my bones strong. Anna, age 52 I had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy in my early 40s, but I didn't take ET because my family has a history of breast cancer that's linked to estrogen. The sudden menopause after having my ovaries removed was pretty bad, but I took really good care of myself with exercise, a good diet, and a lot of tricks for handling hot flashes, and I got through it after a while. Estella, age 58 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to use ET Reasons not to use ET I want to avoid early menopause symptoms. I want to try other things to manage menopause symptoms. I feel that the benefits of ET are worth the risks. I'm very worried about the risks of ET. I feel that ET offers me the best protection against thinning bones. I think I can reduce my risk for thinning bones without ET. The thought of using ET for many years doesn't bother me. I'm not sure I want to take any medicine for many years. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Using ET NOT using ET Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. Most of the time, a hysterectomy is done to treat a problem with the uterus, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis. An oophorectomy is surgery to remove the ovaries. Oophorectomy (say "oh-uh-fuh-REK-tuh-mee") may be done because of a growth on one or both ovaries, or to treat severe endometriosis, or breast cancer. It may also be done to lower the risk of ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Sometimes the ovaries are removed at the same time as a hysterectomy. ET is the use of man-made estrogen to replace the natural estrogen made by your ovaries. ET is available as a pill, a skin patch, a vaginal ring, or a cream or gel. Until menopause (around age 50), the ovaries make most of your body's estrogen. When your ovaries are removed, your estrogen levels suddenly drop. This causes early menopause. It can also increase your risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, because estrogen helps your bones stay strong. ET keeps estrogen levels up, which protects against bone thinning and helps prevent menopause symptoms. If you are in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, you may want to use ET to avoid sudden early menopause after having your ovaries removed. But if you have already gone through menopause, you probably don't need ET after an oophorectomy. Estrogen therapy: Estrogen therapy may increase the risk of health problems in a small number of people. This increase in risk depends on your age, your personal risk, and when ET is started. Talk with your doctor about these risks. Using ET may increase your risk of: You should not take ET if: If a close family relative has had breast cancer, ET may not be right for you. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Instead of ET, you might try other prescription medicines for menopause symptoms. You might also try cognitive behavioral therapy or mind and body relaxation to help with symptoms. To reduce your risk of osteoporosis, eat foods that are rich in calcium, and take vitamin D supplements. You might also try other medicines to prevent bone thinning. Your doctor might recommend ET after hysterectomy and oophorectomy if: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "Since having my uterus and ovaries removed, I've been taking ET. This makes a lot of sense to me, because my ovaries would be producing estrogen until I hit menopause. When I'm the age I'd expect to be menopausal, around age 50, I expect I'll stop or reduce the estrogen I'm taking. That'll depend on what experts recommend by then." — Josie, age 35 "I started taking ET after a radical hysterectomy and spent a number of months struggling with moodiness and feeling depressed. It was probably because of the big changes in hormones after my ovaries were removed. I worked closely with my doctor to make adjustments to my hormone replacement. She replaced the oral estrogen with a patch. Now, I've been doing well for more than 5 years." — Carla, age 28 "I took ET for many years after having my uterus and ovaries removed in my 30s. Recently, my doctor and I decided that I really don't need to take ET anymore. I'm doing other things to help keep my bones strong." — Anna, age 52 "I had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy in my early 40s, but I didn't take ET because my family has a history of breast cancer that's linked to estrogen. The sudden menopause after having my ovaries removed was pretty bad, but I took really good care of myself with exercise, a good diet, and a lot of tricks for handling hot flashes, and I got through it after a while." — Estella, age 58 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to use ET Reasons not to use ET I want to avoid early menopause symptoms. I want to try other things to manage menopause symptoms. I feel that the benefits of ET are worth the risks. I'm very worried about the risks of ET. I feel that ET offers me the best protection against thinning bones. I think I can reduce my risk for thinning bones without ET. The thought of using ET for many years doesn't bother me. I'm not sure I want to take any medicine for many years. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Using ET NOT using ET 1.
Can ET lower your risk for osteoporosis? 2.
Is ET the only way to treat early menopause symptoms and prevent bone thinning? 3.
For most younger people, do the benefits of ET outweigh the risks? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: November 27, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardHysterectomy and Oophorectomy: Should I Use Estrogen Therapy (ET)?
Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy: Should I Use Estrogen Therapy (ET)?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are hysterectomy and oophorectomy?
What is estrogen therapy (ET)?
What are the benefits of ET after hysterectomy and oophorectomy?
What are the risks of ET?
What other treatment might you try instead of ET?
Why might your doctor recommend ET after hysterectomy and oophorectomy?
Compare your options
Personal stories about deciding to use estrogen therapy
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy: Should I Use Estrogen Therapy (ET)?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are hysterectomy and oophorectomy?
What is estrogen therapy (ET)?
What are the benefits of ET after hysterectomy and oophorectomy?
What are the risks of ET?
What other treatment might you try instead of ET?
Why might your doctor recommend ET after hysterectomy and oophorectomy?
2. Compare your options
Take ET Don't take ET What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about deciding to use estrogen therapy
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Take ET Take ET
Don't take ET Don't take ET
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Credits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
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Equally important
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You're right. Without estrogen, you are at risk for weak bones later in life, which can lead to osteoporosis. ET lowers your risk by slowing bone thinning and increasing bone strength.
You're right. Other prescription medicines may ease menopause symptoms and prevent osteoporosis. And you may prevent bone thinning if you take vitamin D supplements, eat foods that are rich in calcium, and do weight-bearing exercises.
You're right. Taking ET does have risks, including a slight risk of stroke and blood clots. But for most people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, the benefits of ET are stronger than these risks.
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Somewhat sure
Very sure
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