CBS News reported that researchers estimate approximately 50,000 deaths could have been prevented if women who had hysterectomies took part in estrogen hormonal therapy.
Dr. Philip Sarrel, emeritus professor in the Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, and Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine has stated that, "estrogen avoidance has resulted in a real cost to women's lives every year for the last 10 years -- and the deaths continue."
After the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, patients and doctors became hesitant of using estrogen therapy, because the study found an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots with women who took an estrogen-progestin combination therapy compared to a placebo.
However, the researchers behind the new study point out that most of the negative health outcomes in the earlier trials were seen in women who still had their uterus and took a combination estrogen-progestin pill to lower the risk of uterine cancer.
The researchers believe that many of the negative results were not applicable to women who had a hysterectomy, had their uterus removed, and could benefit from estrogen alone.
Data from 2011 and 2012 also showed that women without a uterus who took estrogen were less likely to develop breast cancer and heart disease.
Dr. Philip Sarrel explains why you should consider estrogen hormonal therapy post-hysterectomy.
Selected Podcast
Hysterectomy: Estrogen Therapy Saves Lives
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Philip M. Sarrel, MD, completed his medical education at New York University School of Medicine, his internship at the Mount Sinai Hospital, and his residency at Yale New Haven Hospital. In addition to his many years on the faculty of the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine.
Dr. Sarrel has also been a Faculty Scholar in the department of psychiatry at Oxford University, Visiting Senior Lecturer at King's College Hospital Medical School at the University of London, Visiting Professor in Cardiac Medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute in London, and Visiting Professor in the Department of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.. He is currently Emeritus Professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and psychiatry at Yale University.
Dr. Sarrel is the founder of the Yale Menopause Program and the Yale Sex Counseling Service. Dr. Sarrel is a founding member of the International Academy of Sex Research, AASECT, and SIECUS, the Sex Information and Education Council of the US. He is also a founding member of the International Menopause Society and NAMS, the North American Menopause Society.
Dr. Sarrel's research interests have included the effects of transdermal estrogen in postmenopausal women with symptomatic atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease; nutrients and endothelial function; ovarian hormones and menstrual cycle-related migraines; female sexual function, and numerous other topics. He is the author or coauthor of more than 100 journal articles, 50 book chapters, and 6 books, as well as more than 50 abstracts.
Dr Sarrel is an Editor of Menopause, the Journal of the North American Menopause Society. He has served as an editor or reviewer for numerous medical journals including Maturitas, The Journal of the International Menopause Society, the Journal of Gender Specific Medicine, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Dr. Sarrel continues to participate in Yale academic activities and serves as a consultant in menopause health care.
Phillip Sarrel, MD
Philip M. Sarrel, MD, completed his medical education at New York University School of Medicine, his internship at the Mount Sinai Hospital, and his residency at Yale New Haven Hospital. In addition to his many years on the faculty of the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine.Dr. Sarrel has also been a Faculty Scholar in the department of psychiatry at Oxford University, Visiting Senior Lecturer at King's College Hospital Medical School at the University of London, Visiting Professor in Cardiac Medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute in London, and Visiting Professor in the Department of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.. He is currently Emeritus Professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and psychiatry at Yale University.
Dr. Sarrel is the founder of the Yale Menopause Program and the Yale Sex Counseling Service. Dr. Sarrel is a founding member of the International Academy of Sex Research, AASECT, and SIECUS, the Sex Information and Education Council of the US. He is also a founding member of the International Menopause Society and NAMS, the North American Menopause Society.
Dr. Sarrel's research interests have included the effects of transdermal estrogen in postmenopausal women with symptomatic atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease; nutrients and endothelial function; ovarian hormones and menstrual cycle-related migraines; female sexual function, and numerous other topics. He is the author or coauthor of more than 100 journal articles, 50 book chapters, and 6 books, as well as more than 50 abstracts.
Dr Sarrel is an Editor of Menopause, the Journal of the North American Menopause Society. He has served as an editor or reviewer for numerous medical journals including Maturitas, The Journal of the International Menopause Society, the Journal of Gender Specific Medicine, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Dr. Sarrel continues to participate in Yale academic activities and serves as a consultant in menopause health care.