Suggestions for endo suppression

Hi! I’m 4.5 weeks post hysterectomy- I kept my ovaries and cervix. Every gyno I went to suspected I had endometriosis from my symptoms, but it was never visually confirmed. I truly thought I only had dysmenorrhea because my only symptoms were severe monthly cramps, and my periods were like clockwork. Yes, they could be heavy at times, but I didn’t have the ongoing pain throughout the month I’d heard so many other women suffering with. I opted for a hysterectomy because the monthly pain has gotten so bad, and talked my doctor into sparing as many body parts as he could. After surgery I found out I had not only had endometriosis around my rectum, which he excised, but I had adenomyosis as well.

The first surgeon I had met with said she wanted me on a progesterone only pill after surgery to keep the suspected endo from growing back. I told her I was already on bioidentical progesterone (years of birth control pills rendered my body nearly incapable of producing its own progesterone or testosterone, so I’m on both), but she didn’t think that was enough to keep it at bay. The surgeon who ultimately operated on me says I don’t need to take any hormones to suppress regrowth at this time, but that I could take the bioidentical progesterone if it made me feel better, so I am.

So, after that long explanation, my question is, does anyone have experience taking bioindentical progesterone for endo suppression and is it working? I really want to stay away from traditional hormone pills, but I don’t want to have gone through this surgery only to have the monthly pain return.

Endo was not diagnosed following your hysterectomy?

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Originally Posted by GPMS Endo was not diagnosed following your hysterectomy?

Yes, it was, then the pathology report showed the adenomyosis. The surgeon excised what endometriosis he saw, but said he didn’t see the need for any suppressive medication right now. I’d like to be a little more proactive though, and not wait until signs start showing up again.

You may want to look into Vitex, aka chasteberry. Doctors in Germany prescribe Vitex in capsule form as a way to treat endometriosis. It is a safe, gentle remedy that can be purchased in stores or online. I get mine on Amazon, and have found it to be quite beneficial. The website Wellness Mama has an informative and well-sourced article about it. Might be worth a look.

Thank you so much! I’ll look into it for sure!

I had my Hysterectomy May 08, 2020. Found out I had endo during surgery. I kept my ovaries, but the endo has grown back over my left ovary and I’m still having a lot of pain, and pelvic floor spasms. I’m on Aygestin to help stop the growth of the endo. Not helping just giving me hot flashes. OB says that she may have to go in and remove my left ovary. I hope you feel better soon! I’m taking muscle relaxers 3x a day to help suppress the spasms and pain.

Your diet can also have an influence. Specifically, eliminating pro-inflammatory foods can help; that includes gluten, dairy products, red meat, and hydrogenated fats. Dairy products are a particular no-no, because their naturally-occurring hormones - designed by nature to transform a calf into a full-grown cow or bull - have an estrogenic effect that can feed endo. A high fiber diet that includes regular servings of cruciferous vegetables can help to improve estrogen metabolism. Anti-inflammatory foods that can help include omega 3 fats from fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds; and turmeric, a spice in the ginger family, which gives ballpark mustard and Indian curries their characteristic yellow color, and is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Best wishes for finding a treatment that will work for you!