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Progesterone after a Total abdominal hysterectomy

by Angel
(Ohio)

I had a TAH both ovaries removed in Jan. of this year. My doc. put me on Vivelle dot and left it at that. I keep asking her to check my hormone levels but she says there is no need.

I don't feel like myself since the surgery and asked her about progesterone. She says that since I don't have a uterus or ovaries I don't need it. I have so many symptoms that tells me other wise. I have cramps, bloating, my feet and hands are swollen, I am extremely moody, anxious, extremely tired all day, can't sleep good, I crave sweets especially at night, and I have gained 10 lbs. in a few months. What can I do? I feel helpless.

Thanks.

Comments for Progesterone after a Total abdominal hysterectomy

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Aug 21, 2011
 Use Natpro
by: CamperKat

First off, I am so sorry for your total surgery...it must have been difficult to deal with, both the surgery itself and the possible psychological aspects of it.

Your doctor is wrong about progesterone. Most of them are. This is old school thinking: "No uterus/no ovaries, just give some estrogen. Progesterone is only necessary for pregnancy."

This sort of nonsense falls into line with other old school thinking: the FDA has brainwashed all of us to believe that all saturated fat is bad for us and that only liquid oils like soybean are good for us. But now we know that real butter from cows that eat grass has high-vitamin content and high levels of linolenic acid. And GRASS FED beef has natural Omega-3s and therefore this is a healthy profile. All "tests" were done on industrially-raised meat that is fed corn and other grains and now has Omega-6 fats in its profile...So, see what I mean about old school thinking?

Vivelle is a bio-identical hormone, it's true--it's man-made, but its molecules match ours perfectly. But it is only estrogen. Estrogen should never be given without bio-identical progesterone. The reason you are feeling worse and have gained weight is that (1) it takes a very long time to recover from traumatic surgery like yours, and (2) it can take up to a couple of years for your body to adjust to hormone changes, and (3) you are likely now estrogen dominant.

Please go to Amazon or your local bookstore and buy this book by Dr. John Lee, called "What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Menopause". Read the reviews on Amazon, especially mine, because Dr. Lee passed in 2003 and the quantities of progesterone cream he recommends are too low--research has progressed since his passing. Dr. Lee was a Harvard MD who spent his years of his family practice prescribing bio-identical progesterone cream, and he found that it helps prevent and cure osteoporosis, thyroid issues, helps prevent breast cancer and helps male patients recover from prostate cancer (you see, we ALL need progesterone.)

As for your doctor...s/he is not listening to you. Inisist on the tests. Insist on the cream. If the doctor blows you off--go find a new doctor who will partner with you. It's YOUR body, YOUR health--they work for you.

Much luck to you.
Aug 22, 2011
 wray where are you?
by: Anonymous

I always found Wray's comments and advice after people's questions so interesting and valuable. For months now all I see is the questions and although they are sometimes relevant to me, I delete them because there is no response from Wray and I just feel depressed and worried for the people and myself. Where are you Wray?
Aug 22, 2011
 Progesterone after a Total abdominal hysterectomy
by: Wray

Hi Angel It's too late to say don't have a hyst, especially one which removes the ovaries. But maybe you had cancer? I don't believe any woman needs more oestrogen, please see our page on HRT. And you are right, all your symptoms point to low progesterone, which doesn't surprise me as they removed your ovaries. The prime source of progesterone. Besides which the patch you are using is giving you only oestradiol, the most potent oestrogen, see here. Ironically our fat cells continue to make oestrogen till we die, but not progesterone. But oestrogen also stimulates fat cells to make oestrogen, so a vicious cycle starts. So I'm not surprised you've put on weight. The last thing we need is more. Oestrogen also destabilises blood glucose, causing Insulin Resistance, which results in tiredness and cravings. It's mistaken advice to say you don't need progesterone without a uterus. What do they think happens to our levels after a TAH? Why give only oestrogen? And why did we need progesterone in the first place? I can assure you the body doesn't make it just to protect the uterus from oestrogen or for reproductive purposes. As CamperKat says, we've been brainwashed. Progesterone regulates gene expression, has a positive fundamental effect on cell differentiation and growth, with anti-oxidative and autoimmune anti-inflammatory mechanisms. It positively effects the nervous system by stimulating neurotrophic factors, quenching oxidative hyperactivity and regulating autoimmune responses. Progesterone is to my mind more vital than oestrogen, although we do need both for balance. If you should consider using it, I recommend 100-200mg/day, more if symptoms are severe. As yours are, I suggest you start on the higher amount, and see how you get on. As you are now full of oestradiol, I know you will experience Oestrogen Dominance, please be aware of this. And increase the amount of progesterone when it does occur. It's very safe, many women use amounts far higher than those I've suggested. Please don't be discouraged should the oestrogen dominance occur. As you've had a hyst, please see our page on Menopause for more info on using progesterone. Take care Wray
Aug 22, 2011
 Use Natpro
by: Wray

Hi CamperKat Your support is always so invaluable, but people will begin to think I employ you to recommend Natpro! I do believe it's a good cream, and I know it's absorbed well from saliva tests, but I have no problem with people using other creams. The choice is theirs and I'm happy to answer their questions too. You've been amazing over the time you found our site, and bless you for joining in. Please don't stop! Take care Wray
Aug 22, 2011
 wray where are you?
by: Wray

Hi there I've gone nowhere! I take my computer with me wherever I go, even on holiday. But thanks so much for your kind words and support too, it means much to me. If you want to read the latest comments, please go to the left hand margin and scroll down to 'blogs', see here. Take care Wray
Aug 22, 2011
 wray where are you?
by: Wray

Hi there I've gone nowhere! I take my computer with me wherever I go, even on holiday. But thanks so much for your kind words and support too, it means much to me. If you want to read the latest comments, please go to the left hand margin and scroll down to 'blogs', see here. Take care Wray
Jun 08, 2013
 Concerned
by: Anonymous

I had a hysterectomy done 5 yrs. ago and was put on both estrogen and progesterone. Just recently my Dr. has taken me off the progesterone==is this a wise decision
Jun 10, 2013
 Concerned
by: Wray

Hi there Could you clarify whether the 'progesterone' you were given was in fact progesterone and not a progestin. Doctors often use the word interchangeably. In an effort to regain the billions the drug companies lost due to the results of the WHI study, new studies show that oestrogen alone will not cause the same side effects as the combined oestrogen/progestin as found in HRT. So this could be the reason your doctor took you off the 'progesterone'. Even if it was natural, he might still think it has the same affect. I don't believe any woman needs extra oestrogen, the risks to my mind are not worth it. These are all outlined on the HRT page. Whereas there are no risks with progesterone. We do have a page on Menopause you could look through. Take care Wray
Sep 02, 2013
 one ovary after hysterectomy
by: Anonymous

Is progesterone necessary after hysterectomy leaving one ovary?
Sep 07, 2013
 one ovary after hysterectomy
by: Wray

Hi there Only if you are getting adverse symptoms. You could look through these three pages we have on Peri-menopause, Menopause and Oestrogen Dominance. Take care Wray
Nov 15, 2018
 Is there a Bioidentical like Vivelle dot that combines both hormones?,
by: Anonymous

I had a hysterectomy when I was 50 but I kept my ovaries. My doctor put me on Vivelle dot which helped with my libido but also made me ravenous, bloated and I gained weight. She also believed I didn’t need progesterone. My estrogen levels were very low which was why she suggested the Vivelle dot. I also have osteoporosis. Can you recommend a combination Bioidentical like Vivelle dot that has a combination of estrogen and progesterone?

I had the hysterectomy to remove uterine fibroids that had degenerated. If I could do it over I would have opted for the myomectomy instead. Removing my uterus really effected my sexuality I went into surgical menopause immediately after the operation. My breasts are not as sensitive anymore, uterine contraction are gone. Doctors don’t tell you these things. I think maybe it’s easier surgery for the doctors. I was 50 so they recommended it for me. I regret that choice.
Nov 16, 2018
 Is there a Bioidentical like Vivelle dot that combines both hormones?
by: Joy

Hi there. I am not sure if there is a combination application which I wouldn't recommend as I don't believe any women needs to take extra estrogen as there are well over 100 estrogen mimics in our Environment as it is. The Vivelle dot is synthetic, please read up on the side effects.

Please read these pages and their references, HRT, Estrogen Dominance, and How to use Progesterone Cream.
Sep 22, 2021
 Bio-Identical Hormone Cream and milligrams
by: Frankie

I had a complete hysterectomy in 2005. My doctor has been prescribing Bio-Identical cream in a click dispenser since then. My script has 2 mg of each Estriol and Estradiol, 3 mg of Testosterone, and 100 mg of Progesterone. I have gained an enormous amount of belly fat. I am 69 now. I keep asking my doctor if this is hormonal weight gain? He keeps offering liposuction (at his other office he does this). I saw him on the 13th of September and my script was due to be renewed and he called in :::> 3 mg of Estriol, 3 mg of Estradiol, 6 mg of Testosterone and NO Progesterone....NONE. The compounding pharmacy does't want to fill it w/o balancing the Estrogens with some Progesterone. Conversations the nurses have had with him - he is saying since I've had a complete hysterectomy that I don't need Progesterone; yet he's been prescribing it for me since 2005 ! ..... Is it the Progesterone that's making me gain belly weight? or is it the Estrogens? I've read in Dr. John Lee's book that taking an unopposed Estrogen (w/o Progesterone) is a recipe for cancer - that the Progesterone is very protective of your breasts. I do NOT like this belly fat. Even on the script I was taking, I always have one big hot flash that builds until it wakes me up. It's not that sudden rush of heat like I got w/o hormone cream; but it builds slowly as I sleep until it wakes me up. After I am awake, I throw covers off because it will continue to build to a peak.....then I cover back up. Which hormone or lack of is causing this build up of mid belly weight and lower belly fat.....??? and how much progesterone should be in my bio-identical cream?
Sep 23, 2021
 Bio-Identical Hormone Cream and Milligrams
by: Joy

Hi Frankie

I am at a complete loss for words. Your doctor is offering liposuction for your weight gain problems knowing full well what is causing it. Wow! He is ripping you off and other women like you, he should be reported. I commend the pharmacy for refusing. As you rightly pointed out, he has been prescribing progesterone since 2005, why now state that progesterone is not needed? Of course it's needed, even more so now. He really doesn't know much about hormones!

We do not believe that any woman needs to take extra estrogen and testosterone. Progesterone is not the cause of your weight gain, but estrogen and testosterone most certainly is. Belly fat also known as Visceral Fat is caused by excess testosterone see here. It is also linked to cardiovascular disease see here and Insulin Resistance. Excess estrogen has also been linked to certain cancers.

The moment a hysterectomy is performed, no matter the woman's age, it puts a woman straight into Menopause. Progesterone is very much needed now. To say that it is not needed is ridiculous. You are suffering from Estrogen Dominance. If estrogen was doing 'it's thing' then way the Hot Flushes?

If the progesterone cream that you do decide to use doesn't work for you, please consider using Natpro which is a 3.33% organic progesterone cream. I suggest that you use 400mg per day until they clear, then you can reduce to an amount that suits you but never less than 100mg per day. You may even need to use more in the beginning, this is something that you will have to experiment with. Use half the amount in the morning and the other half at night. It is also an excellent lubricant and anti-inflammatory, inserting some in the vagina at night is recommended. Please read the How to use Progesterone Cream page.

Please make sure that your Vitamin D3 level is optimal as a deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone, it is also needed to boost our immune system.

Good luck and consider finding another doctor.

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