Temporary Menopause

[endogram]

Hi, I was wondering what experience others had with temporarily induced menopause (to shut down the ovaries) in helping get their diagnosis?

A little about me, I had a laparoscopy surgery last year by a regular gyne who did not know what they were looking for. I am currently gaining a second opinion at a new hospital. My new Gyne said it is likely my Endo is quite hidden (e.g. behind my bowl, or behind my uterus etc) and rather than put me through another surgery so soon is going to put me into temp menopause to make sure this is a gyne problem. She is under the impression if my pain goes away during this time then it is definitely a gyne problem and we will go from there. However, as I know endo creates its own estrogen so I'm worried I am still going to have pain and the gyne will then refuse to look for the endo.

Has anyone else undergone this treatment?

[Christin_a]

Hello I've not had this. But wanted to tell you that this is no way to prove if it is or isn't gynae related.

Having pain whilst having real or chemical menopause does not rule endo or other gynae issues out.

There are women who have gone through menopause but still have endo and the associated symptoms, same with chemical menopause.

If it's something you want to do make sure you read into the time it's suggested for and the possibile side effects etc. So that you can make a fully informed decision.

[cosima]

Hi. I recently was on zoladex injections to put me into temporary chemical menopause but the reasoning was to use this to try and reduce my endrometriomas whilst the laparoscopy waiting times were so long. Long story short it didn't work BUT my consultant said to me please don't worry if your symptoms don't change at all, you may not notice any difference and she even said short term that it may make them worse.

So I don't think this treatment can say whether you have endo or not as I definitely do, but the treatment just happened not to work for me.

Hope you get the answers/treatment you're looking for!

[Vixen725]

I agree with the doctor in having hormone therapy as opposed to getting another surgery so soon. I'm on my IVF journey and I'm being put on an ultra long GnRH protocol using Lupron for 3 months. It will also put me in a menopause like state but they have a pill that will help with the hot flashes. The point of the hormone therapy is so that the endometriosis will quiet the hell down. Consider hormone therapy instead of another invasive surgery.