[82dsoldier]

About 12 years ago, my wife had to undergo a complete hysterectomy to correct various health issues. About 2 years ago, she had to see a doctor about back problems due to a car wreck. In taking her history, he found that she has very low sex drive, weight gain issues, hot flashes and other general health issues and was surprised that she was never put on hormone replacement therapy. After talking to her general physician about this, she was put on medication (not hormones) for hot flashes, but that was it. The GP said that she does not like to prescribe hormone therapy as there are some links to cancer. Before the hysterectomy, my wife could not take birth control pills because they would cause serious mood swings. My question is, should she actually be on hormone therapy, and if so, what are the risks? If not, what else could we try to increase her libido? It's not that she doesn't enjoy having sex, just that she's never in the mood. Or so I'm told!

[DreamP346]

There are lots of experts on both sides of this argument. It really depends on what your wife wants and what her risk factors are. If she has any of the risk factors for cancer (family history, etc), then I would say no. If not, she needs to weigh the risks with the benefits. What is more important, having a good sex life and reducing hot flashes or the peace of mind that you are not doing anything that may even possibly increase chances of cancer.

This is one decision she needs to make outside of the doctor, because each doctor will have different opinions.

[kira]

I wouldn't think the chance of cancer would be any greater than if she kept her own ovaries to produce those hormones. I also would trust the word of a gynecologist over a gp any day. The gp probably has little experience with a full hysterectomy patient and will just play it safe. I spend a lot of time finding doctors that won't just play it safe so that I can get my health concerns treated and live life rather than just suffer through it.

[footballwife]

It is a shame there are so little options for women! I, too, have a low sex drive and am very nervous about HRT. I don't always think that is the answer. But yes, I do agree talking to a gynecologist is best.

[Claret]

I wouldn't think the chance of cancer would be any greater than if she kept her own ovaries to produce those hormones. I also would trust the word of a gynecologist over a gp any day. The gp probably has little experience with a full hysterectomy patient and will just play it safe. I spend a lot of time finding doctors that won't just play it safe so that I can get my health concerns treated and live life rather than just suffer through it.

There is a real heightened risk of cancer for women taking hormone replacement therapy, it's been proven time and time again. The risk is not insignificant (I forget the % right at the moment). This is a decision that is best left to her and her doctor/gyno.

Having said all of that, most of a woman's sex drive does not stem from either a vagina, a cervix, a uterus or ovaries. It starts in the mind. As one that has had a hysterectomy many years ago it need not affect one's sex life at all -- you just may need some additional lubrication.

[Claret]

I just noticed that the original post for this was in 2013, however maybe it needs bumping up as it's still true to this day.