What Is a Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgery that removes parts of a woman’s reproductive system.

• A partial hysterectomy removes the uterus only.
• A complete hysterectomy removes both the uterus and the ovaries. The ovaries make most of a woman’s hormones—like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

What Happens to Hormones After a Hysterectomy?

Here’s where it gets interesting…

If you had a partial hysterectomy, your ovaries are still there, so you’ll keep making hormones for a while. But many women who still had periods before surgery start to lose ovarian function within a year. That means perimenopause or menopause may begin sooner than expected.

If you had a complete hysterectomy, you’ll go into menopause right away. This is called surgical menopause. The hormone drop happens fast and can lead to strong symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and trouble sleeping.

But Wait—Does the Body Still Make Hormones?

Yes, even after a hysterectomy, your body can still make small amounts of estrogen and testosterone in your fat cells. This happens through a process called aromatization (you don’t need to remember the name—it just means your fat helps make hormones!).

But here’s the catch: your body makes almost no progesterone after hysterectomy—especially if your ovaries are gone. That’s because progesterone is mostly made in the ovaries.

The Big Myth: “You Only Need Estrogen”

Many women are told they only need estrogen after a hysterectomy. That’s just not true.

Yes, estrogen is important. But progesterone does so much more than just protect the uterus (which you may not have anymore). It helps with:

• Sleep
• Brain fog
• Hot flashes
• Bone strength
• Mood
• Heart health
• Thyroid balance
• Even fat burning!

Progesterone is like a superhero hormone—but sadly, many women are told they don’t need it. Why? Because doctors often confuse progesterone with progestins (a man-made version). The problem? Progestins can raise the risk of breast cancer, blood clots, and heart problems. Progesterone does not do that.

Let’s Get Clear

Progesterone is not the same as progestin.

And yes—you can still benefit from progesterone, even if you don’t have a uterus. Your body still needs support for your bones, brain, heart, and more.

Bottom Line

Hormone therapy after a hysterectomy depends on the type of surgery you had and your hormone levels before it. But no matter what, don’t ignore progesterone—it’s not just for your uterus. It supports your whole body!