Do women have to take post-menopausal hormone therapy after oophorectomy?
Use of low-dose hormone therapy after oophorectomy is controversial. While studies have shown that use of hormone therapy may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, other studies suggest early menopause can cause its own serious risks. Women who undergo prophylactic oophorectomy and don’t use hormone therapy up to age 45 have a higher rate of premature death due to cancer, heart disease and neurological diseases. It’s not clear that the higher rate of premature death is due to low estrogen levels caused by oophorectomy, but doctors typically recommend that younger women who have surgically induced menopause consider low-dose hormone therapy until age 45 or 50. Prophylactic oophorectomy may also increase your risk of memory loss and dementia. But studies show this risk may be reduced with the use of hormone therapy after surgery. It isn’t entirely clear what effect hormone therapy might have on your cancer risk. Ask your doctor about your particular situation. If you decide to take l
