Endometriosis and HRT after TAH/BSO

I have suffered with Endometriosis for 20 years, have had numerous surgeries and now my GYN wants to do a TAH/BSO. I am curious to know for those ladies who have had this done and had endometriosis what did you do about HRT? I know from studies that estrogen feeds the Endo and if there is just a tiny bit left inside you, it will grow back. I am so afraid to take HRT for that reason. How many of you went without HRT after your surgeries and how did you cope with surgical menopause? I have been in medical menopause after taking Lupron and that was a living hell. Are herbal supplements helpful at all? I'm currently on natural progesterone cream to help shrink endometrial tissue. Also, how long do these hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings last after surgery, weeks, months, years? I am so confused. Please help if you can. I am very scared.
Your friend,
Pam

Hi,

I had an LAVH/BSO 9 weeks ago. Five days later I had one of my monthly gallbladder-mimicking-attacks. They then decided to take out my gallbladder and take a look around to see what else could be causing the problems. After so many GI tests they had been telling me it was irritible bowel syndrome.

They found endometriosis on my liver, behind my gallbladder. These attacks had been happening for a while before the hyst, so it wasn't a return of endo.

I was on the Vivelle patch .075mg. My OB told me that since they found endo on my liver, he wanted me to go off the patch at 8 weeks and start taking Prometrium for 6 months and then I can go back on the Vivelle.

Hopefully this will kill off any remaining endo and I won't have any reoccurrences.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Hi,

I forgot to mention the side effects I have had so far.

With only being on the Prometrium:

I have mild hot flashes pretty constant (6-10 a day)

I have had some mild mood swings

I have also noticed that I am a bit more opinionated than I used to be. I have no problem telling people what I am thinking instead of just keeping it to myself.

I have noticed the hormone fluxuations, but it hasn't been severe and hopefully it won't be.

I do know that every woman is different in that they experience the menopause thing differently.

I am taking a good multy vitamin, flaxseed and evening primrose oil combination caplet, iron, and magnesium. I don't know if this is helping with the menopause symptoms because I started taking them before I went off the Vivelle. I guess the only way I would find out is if I was to go off the supplements and I am just not that curious.

Hi Pam W.,
I have just recently registered on this site just moments ago and was very intrigued by your post. I'm new to this message board stuff, too, so please bear with me. I am in a similar situation being diagnosed 6 years ago with endo. I'm sure I don't have to go through the history of surgeries, treatments, etc. as you well know the familiar story. I am interested in hearing what were other members' replies to your post? My doctor and I have not decided what to do with hormone therapies until after the surgery, which is on the 23rd of this month. I would like to make an informed decision and the literature seems so ambiguous.
My e-mail address is cynthiahaas2@aol.com. I would appreciate any info you may have.


Thanks so much,
chaas40

All women are different, some women with some types of endo can take low dose estradiol as long as it is balanced with progestin (progestin supresses endo growth). I'd seek out the advice of a good compounding pharmacist who is experienced with HRT and endo patients, if it were me. I'd certainly get second opinions, too - endo is so tricky and sneaky!