Zoladex - HRT or not??: Hi Ladies I'm due... - Endometriosis UK

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Zoladex - HRT or not??

Scuba28 profile image
9 Replies

Hi Ladies

I'm due for surgery to drain a 13cm chocolate cyst and start on zoladex next week. This is a temporary fix until I can have hysterectomy hopefully around mid 2021. I had 2 cysts removed and 1 ovary before but this one has come back bigger and quicker than the others. I currently have the mirena which has been a game changer pain wise but hasn't stopped the cyst growing. I have always managed with over the counter pain relief over the years but at the moment despite this monstrosity I'm coping pretty well. I'm just wondering about the pro's and cons of add back HRT which I've been advised to take. I'm 49 years old and pretty fit and healthy. There is breast cancer history in the family although my risk is deemed as only slightly raised from the family history clinic. I am worried about the side effects with or without HRT and looking for any experiences or advice on this please.

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Scuba28 profile image
Scuba28
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Lindle profile image
Lindle

Have you had thorough investigations for deep endo elsewhere as these cysts are almost always associated with other deep pelvic endo. What is the hysterectomy for - do you have disease of the uterus such as adenomyosis?

Scuba28 profile image
Scuba28 in reply to Lindle

Yes I have had lots of investigations over the last 7 years. I also have adenomyosis. The chocolate cysts come back each time quicker and bigger and on my last lap to remove one I had a cardiac arrest in theater so the operation was abandoned and they are trying again next week. It ruptured last year and put me in hospital for 5 days and we cant afford for it to happen again. I've had enough and want it all out now. My surgeon is BSGE and we have agreed this is the best option.

Lindle profile image
Lindle in reply to Scuba28

Goodness you've been through it. You need rid before menopause. On the HRT front if you need it it must be either tibolone or combined even without a uterus. But at your age I'd see how you are to be honest without taking it as it would be recommended to stop at 51 anyway. x

plotments profile image
plotments

I had prostap last year for 3 months without HRT and it was horrid.....night sweats day flushes extreme joint pain emotions everywhere. back on prostap now for another 3 months but this time with HRT......haven't had any side effects so far and hoping I don't.

Scuba28 profile image
Scuba28 in reply to plotments

can I ask which HRT you are on - also is HRT taken orally or is it on patches??

plotments profile image
plotments in reply to Scuba28

1 tablet utrogestan orally and a gel.....estrogel which you put on the inside of thigh or top of arm

wanwood profile image
wanwood

My thinking on HRT is that there is no point going through menopause symptoms earlier than you would had you not been treated for endo. Your body is still expecting to have these hormones circulating. You’re more likely to tolerate the Zoladex and keep going with the treatment until your next op if you have HRT. And the major studies of HRT risk are done on post-menopausal women. However, I don’t have a family history of breast cancer to speak of and wasn’t close to menopause myself when considering all of this.

I was on tibilone HRT with Prostap (similar to Zoladex), and the menopause symptoms were mild — I was mainly uncharacteristically irritable, and had some hot flashes. There were around 3-4 months where I was not pleasant to live with until it settled down. Didn’t have the headaches, insomnia or joint pain which some experience without HRT. The HRT will take a few months to work so if you go without and you then decide need it, will be a while before it helps you. But there are pros and cons either way and whatever you decide will probably be fine.

BeckyKbo profile image
BeckyKbo

I was on zoladex for more than six mths to help with pain. I’m 41. My gp said that if you are on zoladex for more than six Months then you need it to help protect your bones. I did have hot flushes but I believe they would have been worse. I was on tibelone. x

mrsk8cook profile image
mrsk8cook

Wow! That's a beauty of Endometrioma !! Poor love. Zoladex has a side effect of causing cysts on ovaries... So if your prone to cysts (especially PCOS) you need to be carefully monitored. HRT can reactivate Endometriosis, this is something you also need to consider and discuss with practitioner. I hope your surgery goes well lovely xxx

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