Endometriosis and Hormone Replacement

I am new to your site. I am scheduled for surgery this Thursday, Jan 31st. After reading about the hormone problems after hysterectomy, I am wondering why even have a hysterectomy? It sounds worse than what I am experiencing right now. I am on the pill to lessen effects of endo...although things have been getting gradually worse. But still not as bad as hormone trouble, losing your hair and hair turning gray, and not being able to pee. I feel somewhat "pushed" into the surgery because I my job position was terminated last week (same day I saw the Dr.) and they are giving me 4 weeks severance pay. So I figured it would be a good time to have the surgery. The doctor is not pushing the surgery, just wants to do what I want to do. I had a laproscopy 3 years ago and the uterus was full of endo (adenymiosos sp?) and there were a couple spots elsewhere...they lasered them as much as possible, but he didn't think he got it all. My periods are not as bad as they were before the pill, but I am having more pain in between periods. But I can handle it. It is not debilitating pain like I have read some of you have had. The only thing is I do have trouble relaxing during sex because there have been a few times that my husband has hit something and I about died from the pain...so I tend to hold back and not let him in all the way, so that pain has only happened a couple times. But after hysterectomy, some of the stories tell of lessened libido anyway...not much difference than what I have now.

I need to be convinced I am doing the right thing. Because going into surgical menopause with a husband and 3 kids does not sound appealing. If I lived by myself, I would continue staying on the pill until I absolutely HAD to have the surgery. But I have my family to think about it. I feel like to keep them happy, I need to have this surgery. If I don't have the surgery, my husband will be mad at me and think I am nuts. He thinks the surgery will solve all my problems...to me it sounds like the surgery only creates more.

Help.
rls

rls,
I know this is a hard decision for you. I had been on the pill for 10 years and had problems with anemia due to heavy periods with endometriosis and adenomyosis. I had hormonal headaches every month. Each month my life was greatly affected with my cycle. I had my surgery just a little over a year ago. I'm seeing a hormone specialist and have done really well with HRT. I can say that in this past year my life has really changed in a positve way. I have my life back and am not sick every month.

The decision to have your surgery can only be made by you. There are some doctors who specialize in HRT and they will be the ones you will want to go see after having surgery. I encourage you to keep reading and posting. You may want to conctact your doctor tomorrow and ask lots more questions.

RLS,

I can tell you are really struggling with this decision. For some of us it's a no-brainer, for others it's not quite so clear.

Have you considered seeking a second opinion, to see if a different doctor might have a stronger view one way or another?

I had pretty severe endo - though not as bad as some ladies - and also adeno. I went on HRT immediately after surgery - doctor put the patch on me during the surgery. I haven't had any problems with symptoms at all. No hot flashes, no mood swings, no night sweats, no problems with libido (any more than other busy couples who are bushed at the end of the day!). Please don't be under the impression that having the surgery = decreased libido. This is not the case every time, and usually can be improved with an adjustment to HRT. And, not every woman has a battle with the HRT; most get one forumula, it works, and they go on their merry way.

This is simply my POV, and I am NOT a doctor, but if you are having increased pain between your periods, and pain with intercourse it sounds like POSSIBLY your endo has worsened. My suggestion is to discuss this again at length with your doctor, consider getting a second opinion, read the boards thoroughly for information. You might even come into the chat room to talk with some of us who have been through this.

Best wishes to you.

rls, don't feel pressured into anything. But I can tell you that after suffering with endo for years, I am looking forward to my surgery this Friday. I was on the pill for 10 years but my endo has gotten worse. My dr. and I are pretty sure she will, hopefully, be able to leave my right ovary in. Everything else will have to go. But with one or both ovaries in, it is likely you won't have to worry about hormones. And like the other sisters said, even if you do, there are great HRT's available now that will help you. If you wait too long, the chances of saving one or both ovaries become more slim. In fact, if your dr. will agree to do a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy, it is a quicker recovery time and minimally invasive. I've already waited so long that some of my organs are bound together by adhesions. It's very painful and I wish I'd gotten a hyster way before now. My decision wasn't influenced by my husband but I'm sure he is looking forward to a better sex life, as am I!!

Tell me more about this hormone trouble, grey hair, and hair loss. I was checked for thyroid. I am ok on that. Taking LoEstrin BC Pills for a LONG time. Please share your findings.