Endo and perimenopause: what treatment?

[Anastasia17]

Hi ladies,

Being 50ish, having been told 6 months ago that I have endometriosis, but not the level of it, or location (I am deducting from the pains). How is endo (i.e high oestrogen) treated with medication, and also suffering from perimenopause symptoms (i.e either oestrogen dominance and/or low oestrogen). I wanted to know what type of medication could be prescribed?

For the time being, I am solo with diet control ( when Im not completely starving) and herbal remedies and organic progesterone cream.

I also have a history of breast cancer in the family. I.e I am the next generation on the list.

What medication would usually be used to try and control the endo on one hand and on the other hand, help with the perimenopause and considering breast cancer family history?

I am also very sensitive to tablets (nothing higher than paracetamol/anadin, , no inflammatories unless external gel) in short Im difficult to treat.

Your experience, advice would be gratly appreciated as I find the whole thing lonely, complex and difficult.

Thank you.

[Felma]

I had myself suffered this way. Had dienogest for 2 and a half yrs. Started having fibromyalgia pails then leuprolide and decapeptyl. Acute attack of fibromyalgia ×2 . Had to leave a v good job. Immense suffering.Now menopause. So be careful. Also had adenomyosis with big uterus.

[Anastasia17 in reply to Felma]

Thank you for your reply. Are you saying that the medication given to you made you more ill? How are you treating the menopause now?

[Felma in reply to Anastasia17]

Happy that menopause came. Suffered terribly from fibromyalgia

[Anastasia17 in reply to Felma]

Thank you for your reply. Have a great weekend.

[Moonglo]

Hallo I’m not an expert but I found Zoladex injections have helped me immensely. It’s put me in a menopausal state for the last 5 years and I plan to continue until my natural menopause (I’m 43).

It’s greatly reduced the oestrogen which has been causing all my endometriosis symptoms. I also have to take HRT (Tibolone).

As you’re near your natural menopause perhaps it’s worth exploring? If you google Zoladex you’ll find it’s also a form of breast cancer treatment.

My GP gives me an injection once a month but I think the 3 month one is more common. I had to have it prescribed by my BSGE consultant first though, but I think it’s becoming a more recognised treatment. Xx

[Anastasia17 in reply to Moonglo]

Thank you Moonglo for your reply. About being put in an induced menopause, didn't you have all the symptoms of menopause, such as dry skin, dry hair, osteoporosis, memory loss, increased tiredness, etc? How were these symptoms taken care via other medication? Thanks.

[GrittyReads]

For endometriosis to be properly, 'formally' and accurately diagnosed, you do need to have a laparoscopy. A good one, done - properly - by a BSGE consultant will tell you the extent and location of the endometrial tissue in the abdominal cavity. I would opt for an investigative one, first, as if (for example) you have endo on the bowel, it should not be removed by all but the best surgeons, and with bowel surgeons on hand - but do try to find a really good consultant … try joining a local Endo Group, for info on local Gynaes, and find out who the good/expert ones are. NB You have to have a general investigative lap, before there is any chance of being passed onto a BSGE consultant/centre.

Ultrasound cannot detect most endo, but is necessary before laparoscopies, mainly to rule out other conditions which may be causing some of the pain. However, If properly done, a transvaginal check during the ultrasound may detect endo on the ovaries, and this should always done prior to a lap. Endo on the ovaries would possibly get you referred straight to a BSGE Centre. I would try to hold out for seeing the best Endo specialists, but this is difficult as Endo seems to be increasingly common and it is not given enough attention - in general, still! - by the medical services: especially not in these straightened times.

I opted for a mirena coil, and for me it was wonderful! After a lifetime of pain (except when on the pill) gradually, within 3-4 months of the mirena's insertion, my periods gradually stopped and the pain disappeared. I was near menopause, and the mirena saw me through that - painfree - and eventually (after about 5 years) the coil was removed and I've been fine since. But I would do something about the endo all while you are younger - please don't suffer the years of pain that I endured.

Mirena coils are progesterone-only, so there is less of a cancer-risk than from the oestrogens in the pill. Also, having the coil in situ, in the uterus, means that a much smaller dose is involved, so that large amounts of the progesterone are not circulating in the body - as is the case with various pills.

I hope this helps, but do join a local group if you can, read the best books ('Endo for Dummies' is good) and be sure to get reliable advice from medics you trust, while avoiding 'health food/shop' mumbo-jumbo: most people just want to sell you something.

Take care,

Gritty