Aqx99 wrote:I saw the ostomy nurse today, two of them in fact
I have already decided that I am not going to take hormone replacement. I am at a very high risk for breast cancer and don't want to add to it.
I wanted to offer a few nuggets of thought regarding endocrine support for menopause . . .
I have complete pituitary failure and have traveled many years and many miles in a post-menopausal state. I am also estrogen reactive and have adverse reactions to exogenous estrogen supplementation.
The ovaries are not the only body tissue that produces estrogens. Yellow fat/adipose tissue produces estrogens. Breast tissue also produces estrogens. Even with the loss of your ovaries, you will be producing some estrogen.
The question will be if you are unfortunate to suffer with debilitating menopausal symptoms in the months ahead.
If you encounter symptoms that are genuinely miserable and significantly impact your quality of life, there are options besides systemic hormone replacement therapy. Options would include:
1. Localized hormone replacement. Example: Vaginal estrogen or Premarin cream or suppositories. Uptake is limited to the vaginal tissues and external uvula.
2. Low dose birth control pills where you further reduce the estrogen exposure by taking less than the full dose pack.
My endocrinologist personalized dosing of the low dose birth control pack, having me take 1/2 pill for each subscribed day of the 28 day pack. It was like a sprinkle of estrogen for 21 days with 7 days off for each 28 day cycle. I found it very tolerable despite my estrogen sensitivity. It provided enough estrogen support to keep hot flashes and vaginal dryness at bay.
Bottom Line: if you begin to experience disabling menopause symptoms, work with your gynecologist or an endocrinologist on a customized low dose estrogen program or localized estrogen supplementation (ex. vaginal cream). There is a wide spectrum of hormone support. Hormone replacement need not be full 100% replacement or high strength dosing. You can be creative.
We are each unique beings. Standard hormone replacement can be excessive for some women (me included). There are endless permutations of estrogen dosing. A sprinkle of estrogen was all that I needed to keep me sane and comfortable. I stayed on the sprinkle of estrogen approach for one year and then was able to discontinue completely. It was not a long term need.
Sending you well wishes and positive karma.
- Karen -
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.