Zoladex,bone loss and HRT

[Hannah818]

Is there anything I should take alongside Zoladex? Just been started on Zoladex to start temporary menopause whilst wait for stage 4 endo and adeno surgery with full hysterectomy and bowel involvement. I asked if I need to take HRT at same time, doctor said 'no, maybe after few months , see how you get on' . I think I'm already in perimenomause but not sure. Should I take anything for bone loss? At the moment I'm taking NAC, magnesium and multi vitamins.

[Sunset-lady]

It depends how long you are on it and how bad your peri menopause symptoms are which usually depends on how old you are. They normally give Tibilone as addback HRT. It's a very low version of HRT so the estrogen won't cause problems. You can have proper HRT instead (like me) as some of the peri menopause symptoms are awful and you may not associate them with peri menopause- things like tinnitus, a sore tongue, itchy skin and crap hair. Some doctors leave you off HRT as long as possible to get the endometriosis to calm down and fibroids to shrink (remember that these are estrogen led) but if you have anxiety or feel paranoid then I'd just get some HRT as it's not worth it. I've been on zoladex 14 months and I wouldn't take it without HRT as my mental health would be poor. Even with HRT it has shrunk my cervix and fibroids and endometriosis so you don't need to choose between your physical and mental health. I recommend vitamin D and vitamin K2 and all the B vits. I'd also stick to a low inflammatory diet. Collagen is good too. Alcohol isn't a great idea either as that can affect your bones. I wouldn't worry too much about bone mass as lots of endometriosis clinics have women on this drug for several years without significant bone mass loss.

[Hannah818 in reply to Sunset-lady]

Thank you ! That all makes sense, it's the mental health I'm bit worried about, it's been up and down past six months and I feel its related to hormones. Been getting some insomnia, migraines and night sweats , not sure how much of it is related to perimenopause. Can I ask how they tested and found that zoladex had shrunk the endo and cervix? Was it an MRI? Also thank you for the supplement recommendations, will look in to adding those into routine. Does the zoladex give you twinges in stomach or pelvis area or a burning tingling sensation? I've felt something new since the injection, it only lasts for few minutes thankfully.

[Sunset-lady in reply to Hannah818]

The injection stimulates everything before it settles so this could account for the twinges. Night sweats, insomnia and migraines are all symptoms of peri menopause. I take taurine to help with sleep. I also take zinc. I had an MRI before I went on zoladex (a privately paid one) and I had another 8 months into zoladex. Good luck x

[Rainbow2468 in reply to Sunset-lady]

Hi I'm on prostrap injections and I've not needed hrt, i do take vitamin d tablets, as gynecologist advised it. Hope you have a peaceful day 🤗

[Hannah818]

Thank you for the advice

[LaVieEnEndo]

I was prescribed tibalone alongside zoladex both pre-op surgery and post-op. I slso added zinc and magnesium into this as well. The night sweats and insomnia havent been pleasant. I then made the decision to stop 2 months after surgery as I was getting bone pain and felt worse.

I hope you're not on the zoladex for longer than needed .

Take good care of yourself x

[Hannah818 in reply to LaVieEnEndo]

Thank you , hope your surgery went well, can I ask how long you were given zoladex before bone pain started? Xx

[LaVieEnEndo in reply to Hannah818]

Hi Hannah,

My surgery was successful in the terms tat they were able to remove all they could see, however just after 3 months I had a flare-up which is only just srtstibgbto settle down.

I has my first zoladex injection in September 2024, surgery followed in October and it was from late November onwards. The bone pain I experienced was around my knee joint and it was enough to keep me awake x

[Hannah818 in reply to LaVieEnEndo]

Oh no, I hope it settles down further , thank you for your reply, I didn't know zoladex could be prescribed after a hysterectomy

[SeedsandNuts]

I was prescribed norethisterone as addback. I was 47yrs at the time and on zoladex while awaiting surgery [TLH with unilateral oopherectomy].

[Hannah818 in reply to SeedsandNuts]

Thank you, that's interesting , I didn't know norethisterone old be used as an add back, I've used it previously to stop periods temporarily. Hope your surgery went well xx

[SeedsandNuts in reply to Hannah818]

You're welcome. Yes, that's what I was prescribed. My surgery went well, thank God. My recovery took longer than I expected but I'm back to work now with reduced hours for some weeks.Hope you are getting on well.

Best wishes🙏