Experience on Zoladex or Prostap for endometriosis

[rachelgreen22]

hey all, I was just looking to hear people’s experiences treating endo with zoladex/prostap injection. I finally saw an endo specialist and has recommended another laparoscopy but excision surgery as my first one was ablation, but he wants me to have this injection and see if my symptoms improve for 3months while I wait for surgery. I currently have the mirena coil but haven't seen any improvement of my symptoms. I’m desperate so really willing to try anything but I am nervous about the side effects and mental health impact.

Would love to hear your stories or any advice would be appreciated 😊x

[Sunset-lady]

Hi, it depends on whether you take addback HRT or not. Without it, symptoms are tough. Also, it doesn't really start to work until the 3rd month so being on it for 3 months seems pointless. I'm on my 3rd month now - neatly 4th and it's only this week that I've started to see a huge improvement. Everyone responds differently but the general consensus is 'be patient'. If you are going on it for pain it might give you some relief quicker. I'm on it for persistent hemorrhaging leading to being anaemic due to fibroids and endometriosis. I'm also on HRT. I wouldn't take it without HRT but some women do well without addback so you need to just try. I was desperate too. I tried everything before this. Xxx

[Ellietherabbit in reply to Sunset-lady]

Hi can I please ask if the aim of having prostap is to stop overies from producing oestrogen and progesterone then having add back HRT will release these hormones again ,would this not flare up endometriosis again . I have mirena at the moment which I had four years ago . It has worked really well with the symptoms control since then but has affected my mood ( making me feel really low).Now my endometriosis has got worse, has gone onto my bowel and symptoms have returned back . May require surgery , but I m scared of going on prostap as well( worried about side effects)

[Sunset-lady in reply to Ellietherabbit]

It does seem strange blocking estrogen then taking estrogen but HRT does not have a lot of estrogen so for some women (even those with endo) it works well. Some doctors prescribe tibolone which is a very low dose of estrogen and not really HRT. This works for many women. My peri menopause was quite severe and it really affected my mental health so the doctor wants to keep me on normal HRT. For many women this works well although I'm still having a break through bleed. I'm not hemorrhaging though which is what was happening. I think you are very lucky if you don't have any chemical menopause symptoms as most women do. Zoladex and prostrap are very effective at stopping pain if that is your issue. I no longer have any pain but I couldn't stop bleeding before going on this. I think you just have to give the drug a go. Remember that it's reversible so when you stop side effects should go. Good luck x

[Sunset-lady in reply to Sunset-lady]

Also a lot of doctors insist on HRT after 6 months to protect bone mass.

[Ellietherabbit in reply to Sunset-lady]

Thank you so very much x

[Rainbow2468]

I'm on prostrap and not having any issues at all with it, its been such a relief for me ❤️