Hrt following hysterectomy

[Mindfullness4791]

I am 6 months post op a total hysterectomy following 3 years of severe pelvic pain. I have always had heavy and painful periods.I had Adenomyosis and fibroids. Following the op I was blissfully pain-free for 8 weeks. Once I started hrt my pains came back with avengance I saw gynae again, who said that it was indicative of microscopic endometriosis. Previous scans and laparoscopy didn't show Endo.

I've been put on Tibolone to help with the pain and menopausal symptoms. It is helping slightly with the menopausal symptoms but the pain is awful. I'd be interested in what others have taken to help with their pain/symptoms.

I have been referred to a bsge consultant but am aware this is at least a years wait.

Thank you 💕

[Brambledoggy]

My pain was horrendous recently on HRT and I felt like even though I was almost three years post menopause that my endo was back. Of course in reality it never really goes away. But I adjusted the dosage and doubled my Utrogestan and I now only have a tiny bit of oestrogen. It’s helped a lot and I’m currently pain free (as much as I can be) even to the point that I can start exercising fully again and live a “normal” life but I’m not 100% sure this will be for ever. Getting the dosage correct has been brutal for me and it’s taken a long time. Watch this space.

[Mindfullness4791 in reply to Brambledoggy]

Thank you for sharing. Did your gp adjust your dose? I'm so glad to hear you are no longer in pain xx

[Brambledoggy in reply to Mindfullness4791]

Reluctantly… but she knew I was well informed and I took my literature and evidence in with me, they’ve been pretty good to me TBH, I was pretty sure that the previous dose wasn’t working as maybe too much oestrogen and I think I am very oestrogen sensitive (just a guess based on my symptoms). Seems to be alright now but as I say, anything could happen hormone-wise down the line for me. It’s pretty rubbish all the guess work we have to do and it really gets me down Just got to do what you think is right for your body and not judge yourself by others. I’m giving this three months and if not I’ll come off HRT altogether and explore my next route. Endo is absolutely rubbish. Sometimes it seems never ending. But so many out there much worse than me. At 53 I so wish I knew at 17 what I know now. Fingers crossed we both get sorted.

[Brambledoggy in reply to Mindfullness4791]

P.S just also want to add (as I head to bed at 9.30pm on a Saturday night!) that I don’t particularly enjoy being on HRT, or any other medication, and I know a lot of my friends are on it and never had any symptoms, just felt they wanted to be on HRT, a lot of press and pressure to be on etc, but my menopause symptoms were absolutely bloody dire, at one point I had about 15 symptoms, plus crippling pain and bleeding and dragging pelvis, fatigue (bear in mind my endo diagnosis was “mild”) and I put it off for ages and ages. Do I feel better on HRT? Sometimes, probably most days, but it hasn’t been miraculous and all Davina Mcall for me. ☺️ Just way better than I was. When I was having my scary bleeding, it was really triggering because after all my life with endo I thought menopause was a cure all. Any GP that tells you menopause will put a final stop endo I think is misinformed. Maybe one day. Also please research Tibolone fully and make sure you are 100% happy (or as near as you can be) about what it is they have prescribed for you. Maybe there is a better route, or at least a different route that you can explore? Sending best wishes. Night.