Can I take hormone replacement therapy after a hysterectomy?

A past hysterectomy is part of your history. Raise it at the first visit.

Ask how your surgery bears on the prescription

Ask your prescriber how your surgery, your history and the specific prescription bear on the answer. Bring the records of what was done in your surgery.

Bring your operative report

"Hysterectomy" names a category of surgery, not one fixed set of facts. Your operative report is the document that says what was actually done, so bring it to the prescriber.

Gather these items ahead of the visit:

• The name and date of your surgery.
• Your operative report or discharge summary, if you can get a copy.
• A full list of your current medications and supplements.
• Your personal and family medical history, as far as you know it.

Put these to your prescriber:

• Does my surgery change what you would recommend?
• What does the product labeling say about my situation?
• Under what conditions would you stop or change the prescription?

Read four general sources on menopausal hormone therapy: the Cleveland Clinic page on hormone replacement therapy for menopause, the NYU Langone news article on facts about menopause hormone therapy, the ACOG announcement on expanded recommendations for management of menopause symptoms, and the MedlinePlus health topic on hormone therapy for menopause. Ask your prescriber which parts of them apply to your surgery.

Request your surgical records

1. Request a copy of your surgical records.
2. Write down your questions for the prescriber.
3. Ask for the labeling wording that applies to you.
4. Have the answer kept in your chart.

Read the operative report beside the labeling

Treat the operative report and the product labeling as the primary documents, and have your prescriber explain how each one applies to you.