I've suffered with endo for 25 yrs and have just been told about an enforced chemical menopause. I'm 46 so Gp said I'd need HRT.

[Chippers]

Has anyone gone through this or have any info please? I'm new here so any help appreciated. X

[stevieflp]

Hi - sympathy to start with. To be honest, if you have suffered with endo fo 25 years, I think it is about time your GP referred you to an endo specialist surgeon who can excise your endo. Chemical menopause, apart from the side effects, just temporarily shrinks and supresses endo and is short term fix. Endo generally will re-generate over time once the drugs are stopped (and only supposed to be used for 6 months). Far better to get it excised out (not laser). x

[Chippers]

Hi, thanks so much for the reply. I'm confused now as my Gp said that this chemical menopause would be the end of my periods and endo! ( thought it was too good to be true). I've had laser in the past but what does excised mean? You can probably gather I've been given mixed messages by various gynaecologists. The last one I saw wanted to fit me with a coil. I'm just completely disillusioned. X

[Chrissie66]

Excised means cut out, but just like when it's lasered, it can come back, and probably will. Generally if your endo is manageable pain-wise and you're not looking to start or continue a family surgery isn't the best option. Every time they go in more scar tissue is created, and endo LOVES scar tissue....

The injections that they give you to bring on the chemical menopause are only licensed to be used for up to 6 months, but there are ladies on here who have been on it a couple of years. You have to be monitored if you're going to stay on it, or you can have a break and then go back on to it. It's not a walk in the park with regard to side effects but lots of women swear by it for giving them a break from endo symptoms.

The coil is another option, for me personally it hasn't stopped the pain but the bleeding has slowed to a couple of spots each month.

As Stevie said though, you really need to be speaking to a specialist about all of this. What's appropriate in your twenties or thirties might not be right in your forties; I'm the same age as you and have noticed a change in how I've reacted to different treatment, specifically Zoladex (menopause inducing injections) over the years. The only thing that's the same for all of us is that there's no getting away from this disease and what 'works' for some people won't work for others. It's all trial and error with no guarantees

Good luck, and lots of love

C x

[Chippers in reply to Chrissie66]

Hi Chrissie,

Thanks for the insight, really helpful. I agree with you regarding the surgey, I've had a few ops and don't want any more. Ive never been lucky enough to have a child and it's too late for me now, so like you said, there's no guarantees so why bother?

It sounds like a lot of women need to try everything, at least so they feel like they're doing something. However, as there's no real cure for this and any treatments are only temporary suppressants, I think I'll try and cope with it til menopause.

I had a continuous period for 4 months, so I've just started taking Cerazette and Norethisterone. I'll see how things are in 3 months, as apparently it takes that long to control the cycle.

I'm not sure I could give up wine, or want to really, but I'll try the endo diet at the same time and see if this helps.

I awoke again tonight with cold sweats and bad cramps, even though I'm not menopausal, so not sure what that's about. I'll maybe blog on here about progress.

Anyway, it's so good to chat to fellow sufferers, as my partner isn't the easiest person to talk to and he's not very compassionate, so I've been bottling it all up and my emotional state is a mess. He expects a shut up and get on with it approach and even made me feel guilty about my asthma when we were on a fell walk!

So THANK YOU.

Much love, L x

[Chrissie66 in reply to Chippers]

Hi again

I'm in exactly the same position as you, riding it out until the menopause. I'm lucky because I seem to have found the right combination of pain relief and acceptance. As for the endo diet - this disease has messed my life up in so many other ways; I'm damned if I'm going to let it dictate what I can and can't eat and drink!

Have you had your hormone levels checked recently? I'm perimenopausal so when a hot flush/cold sweat wakes me up I know just to swear it it, towel myself down and try to get back to sleep...

I'm also extremely lucky that I have a supportive man, but he knew what he was getting when he married me. Don't ever feel guilty for having endometriosis or complaining about it though. It's not your fault, and I bet he gets Man Flu just like everybody else... xxx

[Chippers]

Hi Chrissie,

Wow I think we might have a lot in common, both in attitude and experience. I've just had blood tests and Gp said liver, kidneys ok and no diabetes, cholesterol 5. Something, but she didn't mention my hormone levels. I wonder if I'm perimenopausal too? I assumed she'd have told me if I was, but we all know what assuming makes?

How do you manage the pain? I can't take Nurofen due to my asthma and no gallbladder.

My partner rarely gets ill, but is floored by a cold!

How have you managed work? I'm worried that I'm approaching a bad phase as the pains are getting very intense. All this trying not to let work or anyone else down just adds to the pressure and guilt. I'm tired of being professional and just want a rest or part time!

Great to chat with you.

L xx

[babypink]

Hi love ... im 25 ive had chemical menapause.. didnt have bad side affects with it just hotflushes and migraines.. but it didnt help me at all... and i give it my best shot i had it with no hrt patches ...hoping it would be stronger to kill the endo.. but it didnt work.. it just tempary shrinks it..then it cums back and feeds with avengance ... i wouldnt recommend it from my experience xxx

[Chippers in reply to babypink]

Hi Babypink, thanks for sharing your experience. Sorry you're still suffering. I don't think I'll go for it, as I've not read 1 good comment about it. How are you managing now? I'm just so tired and my boss is the b**ch from hell, so need my strength and wits about me.

Xxx