Do I need to stop taking estrogen? Feel a... - Endometriosis UK

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Do I need to stop taking estrogen? Feel as if I'm choosing between mental and physical health.

Sunset-lady profile image
8 Replies

So I've read a lot now- probably too much. From what I can gather from things (and I am new to this - didnt know I had endometriosis until Tuesday when they aborted my hysterectomy as my bowel is fused to my cervix) estrogen seems to be the driving force behind endometriosis. Is that true? It also seems to be driving the fibroids. So, I am currently taking HRT estrogen gel and progesterone tablets. I feel good on HRT. I don't cry anymore and mentally I'm much better but my body doesn't seem to like the estrogen. Should I STOP taking the HRT? Has anyone done this and seen an improvement with fibroids (flooding all the time) or/and their endometriosis? I feel like I'm having to make a choice between my mental health and my physical health. I'm 50 years old and live in the UK. Any advice welcome and thank you.

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Sunset-lady
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8 Replies
Starry1977 profile image
Starry1977

My sister stopped hers after fibroids were growing she's 55. She was ok emotionally. My gynea told me if you take hrt you need to take combined continuously so the estrogen doesn't get too high.

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady in reply to Starry1977

Thank you x I don't do this at present

SporadicGardener profile image
SporadicGardener

I was advised to come off HRT straight away as drives fibroid growth and endo. I found progesterone only pill wasn't enough to stop symptoms but with the mirena pill as well my periods stopped which stopped the symptoms. I also liked the hrt feeling but I am much less exhausted etc without the awful periods

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady in reply to SporadicGardener

I tried cutting my estrogen gel down but within 10 days I was a complete wreck. Crying, paranoid and Full of anxiety. I am great on HRT but it's fuelling my fibroids like you say. What is the mirena pill?

SporadicGardener profile image
SporadicGardener in reply to Sunset-lady

Sorry meant mirena coil

Mel5523 profile image
Mel5523

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles, I was wondering if I could ask if you discovered you had endometriosis post menopausal? I'm 55 and have all the symptoms but my gynecologist says it's extremely unlikely as I'm post menopausal?

Sunset-lady profile image
Sunset-lady in reply to Mel5523

Hi, no I'm in peri menopause. I'm hemorrhaging a lot which is why they decided to do the hysterectomy, and then they discovered the endometriosis. However, there are many women on here who are post menopausal and have endometriosis. It does tend to die down so I'm told but it's a life long disease. Some of the regular contributors are very Knowledgeable so it's worth putting a post out.

Mel5523 profile image
Mel5523 in reply to Sunset-lady

Thank you so much for your advice, I'm seeing my gynecologist in a couple of weeks and will mention it xx

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