Chemical vs surgical menopause

[Sunset-lady]

I'm in chemical menopause at the moment ( without addback HRT) but just wondered how it compares to surgical menopause? Is it similar or is surgical menopause better or worse?

[Sunset-lady]

WITH ADDBACK HRT - don't know why it did that. I'm on HRT.

[Elaine91]

Hi Sunset_lady

I was on Prostap for 12 months, at age 45, prior to surgery (with hysterectomy, BSO and bowel resection)

This is my experience in case it’s of help, although everyone is different

For the first 3 months Prostap worked brilliantly for endo (and interstitial cystitis). It caused some mild menopause symptoms (headaches, mild insomnia) but not much. I was told to take tibolone to prevent osteoporosis, but the tibolone made my endo (and I.C.) symptoms come back, so I stopped taking the tibolone pretty quickly.

The 2nd injection, Prostap worked, but only for 2 months, by the 4th injection it barely worked at all, as in it didn’t stop my cycles.

In terms of endo (and I.C.) the surgery was great, but left me with severe insomnia, much worse than Prostap. I tried HRT (various pills and patches), but got endo (and I.C.) symptoms back – I was told that everything had been removed, but there’s definitely some remaining.

It took over 2 years for my sleep to recover somewhat, but then long term hormone deficiency problems kicked in...long story, I’m not in a good place... Anyway, I’ve never been able to get HRT that works well for me and whenever I’ve tried it flares up my bowel endo and when I come off HRT I get withdrawal symptoms even worse that post surgery.

[Sunset-lady in reply to Elaine91]

Wow you've been through a lot: I'm so sorry you've had such a difficult journey. The only symptoms I have are bleeding - unstoppable bleeding that takes all my iron reserves and leaves me exhausted. When zoladex works i feel fantastic but I only get 4 weeks out of 12 when I stop bleeding and the headaches go. Then in week 9 I hemorrhage and need the injection. It's so frustrating but I'm scared of reactivating endometriosis through surgery x

[PopcornPJ in reply to Elaine91]

Hi, that’s an awful lot to have gone through, I’m sorry. Out of interest, have you at any point been on combined HRT post hysterectomy?

[Elaine91 in reply to PopcornPJ]

Yes. A few weeks post surgery I tried various combined pills, a combined patch, oestrogen only pills and oestrogen only patch. They all made my endo belly flare up pretty much instantly.

Having had to wear maternity clothes for a year prior to surgery because the bloating was so bad, I was delighted with my new flat tummy, but as soon as I tried HRT, it bloated right up again. So I gave up. Fortunately, my surgical menopause symptoms were fairly mild, apart from insomnia

(I tried again about 8 years post op due to physical hormone deficiency problems. It’s a long story. Short version is it didn’t work out and now I’m going through a hormone withdrawal again, only worse than it was the first time.)

[PopcornPJ in reply to Elaine91]

Gosh, so sorry. Sadly one size doesn’t fit all with this sort of thing - endometriosis can be a wicked thing. Doctors can advise and prescribe, but it can clearly take years to figure out what works. I hope you get a resolution soon!

[Hannah818]

I'm two months into chemical menopause with zoladex, the side effects were bad, especially lower back pain, doctor has prescribed HRT tiblone . Within two days of tibolone my pelvic pain returned and bowel issues ! I've reduced tiblone to half a tablet each day since yesterday to see if it helps. Booked in for hysterectomy next month hopefully , so surgical menopause coming up soon. I'm 43 , stage 4 endo with bowel involvement,

[Sunset-lady in reply to Hannah818]

Me too lovely x I'm having mine next week. Fingers crossed for us

[Hannah818 in reply to Sunset-lady]

Oh wow next week, hope everything goes well , will be thinking of you and wishing the best xx

[Loveneige]

I'm in a very similar situation to you. I've been on zoladex for about 10 months whilst waiting for a full hysterectomy and bowel resection. I am also wo during what it will be like after surgery. I've been lucky in that my periods have stopped and pain and inflammation reduced. I still get bowel pain or pain where my endometrioma is.

But I do wonder what my hormone levels are and will be post surgery. I know my body is still producing hormones as I can feel changes leading up to my next injection.

I don't take any hrt at the moment but wonder if I will need to after a hysterectomy. I am worried what these injections are doing to my bones.

Sorry I can't actually help with your question but I can totally empathise with your situation. I hope your surgery goes well.

[Sunset-lady in reply to Loveneige]

Thanks lovely. I'm in that period now (around 3 to 4 weeks) where zoladex works for me and I feel great. I know I'm in chemical menopause as my mind really settles and I'm so calm but my hair is dry and my skin ages overnight. Then as the injection wears off, the intrusive thoughts return and I feel anxious but my skin improves. I think I've suffered from PMDD all my life as the difference to my mental health when the injection works is incredible. I'm praying that this will be what the hysterectomy gives me! I'm on HRT (low dose of estrogen) but may have to adjust post hysterectomy. I think I need to trust the process. I have 5 fibroids and I'm anaemic so I need this operation- i just don't want to go through it x

[Loveneige in reply to Sunset-lady]

You sound like the surgery is so needed. Being anaemic is so draining so ar least you know that will be better. Its a very scary process to go through. The closer I get, the more I question if I need it but deep down I know I need something!I hope it works out well for you and keep us up to date with it. X

[Batwoman3]

my experience was initially good for chemical one for 3months-instant relief and had my life back ,loads of energy ,liberated! then after that insomnia and joint/bone aches set in gradually .tried Tibline ,didn’t get on with it -so went without the add back .. then thankfully got my surgical appointment after 11months … after a year post surgery I feel my symptoms have gradually settled and it feels like a much more natural way to experience any hot flushes and sleep issues as the chemical way was quite extreme and intense . Maybe with HRT it’s all more improved but it’s just not for me . I think everyone is different -some people swear by the add back stuff , and HRT in general .. the chemical way did do its job of slightly shrinking stuff to enable easier surgery . So maybe have the end goal of surgery anyway . Then it’s permanent and no more injections to worry about xx