HRT after Radiation

[Victoria44]

Hi there, I am 27 years old and 6 months post treatment for stage 2b cc - I have had no surgery just 5 weeks radio/chemo and brachy. I am on a synthetic HRT now but would prefer the one that has natural hormones in it - do you recommend these over the synthetic ones? Do you recommend testorerone as well as I have no sex drive.
How often do you recommend getting a bone scan and a HRT review?
Thanks for your help! x

[Dr Sarah Gray]

If you are on HRT rather than the combined pill then the estrogen will be a natural estrogen - it just may be that the progestogen is synthetic.

There is no overall right or wrong and the best option is the one that is right for you. If you have been through a difficult treatment then that can affect interest in sex and it may be nothing to do with the hormones. However if there is a hormonal element this can either be not enough estrogen or a lack of testosterone. Testosterone alone will not be effective if you do not have enough estrogen. If you are effectively testosterone deficient due to the effects of the treatent on your ovaries then testosterone might help - but the synthetic progestogens that are testosterone like might do the job on their own. It is complex and specialist advice would be a good idea.

At 27 a bone scan is not going to shed any light on your situation. If you take HRT then even low doses will protect your bones.