I have stage 4 endo, since 2011.
Lots of previous surgery and removal of cysts and endo.
I now have another 7cm cyst and endo surrounding bowel.
Consultant has given 2 options, 1. Remove cyst and clear endo as best he can. 2. Full hysterectomy. There is risk of damage to bowel. 1-3% for option 1, and 5-7% for full hysterectomy.
I just don’t know what to do. I am almost 46.
Can anyone please help/advise?
Many thanks
HiGosh, completely understand what you are going through. Similar - At 43 I needed to make radical decision too. My bowels was very stuck - also had ovary stuck to bladder… I was in such a mess, very hard and bloated - ironically looked pregnant. Never got to that! Anyway I went with everything out ovaries, cervix, uterus, and a bowel peel but gave consent for a bowel resection and temporary stoma if required. I did my research, though only had a small window to decide what to do. After surgery all I wanted to know was about the bowel… fortunately the colorectal surgeon managed to peel like a veg peeler after cutting.. eww I know. I was determined to not do any HRT for the first year in order to rid self of endo - this is the only way. Second year I did start on oestrogen patches Estradot - v good. But have now changed to a gel Sandrena - v good. Two years and six months I feel amazing even with Surgical Menopause… just a shame it was such a journey alone - we need to fight for better women’s services. Good wishes to you for whatever decision you make… if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask…
Hiya, thanks for posting this! I had both ovaries removed in July (already had hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy in 2019). I’ve been struggling with menopause symptoms and on-and-off pelvic pain and have been wondering whether I should take HRT. I’m worried about exacerbating the endo. You say in your post that you stayed off HRT for a year and that this is the only way - was this after researching? Did the menopause symptoms continue right up until you went on HRT? Sorry to ask so many questions - no pressure to reply of course! Really glad to hear that you are doing well now 😊
Are you being treated in a tertiary endo centre? No surgeon should be saying they will remove endo as best as they can or offering a hysterectomy as an alternative treatment as it isn't. A full hysterectomy with or without ovary removal should only be done as a last resort and all endo should be excised at the same time. This can only be dealt with by a multidisciplinary team in a centre.
Bowel shaving/resection and hysterectomy. Anyone had surgery for these together in one surgery?
Hysterectomy or not?
Contraceptive Pill ( mini pill) or surgery.
Bowel preparation before surgery
