HRT (Estrogen and Progesterone Hormone Replacement Therapy) After cancer for menopause?

I found chemo the harshest for me. Had massive hives when I did the third round. Hair loss which was expected. Badly fluid retention in my legs after each chemo which gives me stiff knees even up till now. And my finger nails suffered almost came off. But today they are fine, collagen powder helps. I think till today I still experienced some bone pain or stiffness. And ended up with dry eye syndrome now where I have to resort to eye drops daily. I lost my periods for a year or so. But eventually went into early menopause last few years. Otherwise, I am fine.

@au0rei how was the treatment for you? 

Hi @Number2 I had that in 2016 Dec. I had a mastectomy, four rounds of chemo, I believe 18 rounds of Herception, 3 weeks of radiation. Then a DIEP flap recon in 2022.

Hi @au0rei, what treatment did you have and how did you go ?

@Number2 I had Her2+ IDC and hormone negative too.

My BC was Estrogen positive. So there is no way that I would take HRT.
I was on it at diagnosis of BC. I don't blame it for the BC.
But knowing Estrogen would feed my BC, I wouldn't take HRT.
Having said all that. It was decided that I should continue with Estrogen pessaries, for my vagina.
This was after discussion with Breast Surgeon, Oncologist and Gynaecologist. 
Some risk to me, but the benefits out weighed that,

I am 53 and have been through menopause for many years with dreadful symptoms and thus have been using hrt for years. I was on tibolone tablets which controlled it beautifully. Then in October last year I was found to have precancerous growths in my endometrial lining resulting in a total hysterectomy in January this year. I was not able to have any hrt for 8 weeks after surgery and it was dreadful menopause symptom wise. After 8 weeks I was put onto Estrogel, a cream which you rub on you arm each day and it is fantastic at controlling all the symptoms . I have just been diagnosed with Her2+ IDC , but it is Estrogen and progesterone negative. I have met a lady who has a labial fusion which is caused by a lack of estrogen, according to her specialist.

I'm with you on the interest/concern about the lack of oestrogen and the effect on the rest of my body. A very interesting UK podcast has done a 4 episode special on this exact topic (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-menopause-and-cancer-podcast/id1631842514?i=1000666722248) which I found very interesting. I have also found both my med oncologist and rad oncologist very open to the discussion of HRT post treatment for my oestrogen and progesterone positive breast cancer. I'm not there yet but considering it. My sleepless hot flush hour on the hour nights are driving me to distraction. I've ditched the tamoxifen and am considering the options given with the best evidence available (which is scant and very weak).

@sek17 I am so sorry for all that you have gone through. It is really difficult. You shared that you had mastectomy done on the affected breast and it had a recurrence? What explanation did the doctor give you? Not clear margins done? 

With HRT unfortunately I decided to stop it in the end, after giving it two tries over a few months and resetting my body twice. It just does not work for me in the end because I was all jittery and a wreck being on it. Even though I was already on the lowest dose ever.

I personally am a strong believer that hormones do not cause cancer but may cause faster tumour growth due to the receptor matter. But you have to do your own research. I had hormone negative breast cancer.

Also, I believe exercises such as weight training, resistance training will help. There is some who talk about using vibration machine (something I have not yet researched)

I am just so busy these two years with my kids to have time to properly take care of myself! Haha!

I do make sure I am faithful with my Vitamin D, K and I do take soy powder with my morning almond milk. And I try to walk more.

Most importantly, take care of our heart/spirit. I am a strong believer that my state of heart made me sick with cancer few years ago. 

All the best xo

Oh my GOSH, you've been thru SO MUCH, @sek17!   Welcome to the forum xx

I think that is really a question for your medical team - including your oncologist. xx.

I've read here & there that going back onto HRT isn't the 'bogeyman' that it was considered as 25-30 years ago - but everyone's hormone makeup is different.  So an expert answer would be the way to go, I think. xx

Having said that - Exercising (walking is considered good) and taking something like Caltrate should help with bone strength/density ... there are also injections that may help - but obviously only under your Dr's supervision. Blood tests/scans would be required too.

Do you have any persistent aches & pains that you can't explain away?  How long since you've had a bone density test?  If you haven't had one in recent years, it might time for one.  I've recently had Bone Scan and Bone Mineral Densitometry and a CT .... with 'acceptable' results.

take care & all the best