Looking for info about endometriosis

I didn't have endometriosis, but I had a total hysterectomy and my ovaries removed because of an ovarian mass that turned out to be cancer... when I was about 41.  (next year will be my 10th anniversary of being cancer-free-- yay!)

But anyway, I couldn't do HRT because I had previously had a stroke, so hormones were contra-indicated for me.   My gyn oncologist recommended Estroven, which is an herbal supplement (I buy mine at Costco) that contains black cohosh, which is supposed to help with preventing hot flashes.  I think I had maybe, two or three hot flashes in the first few weeks, and then no more after that.  Maybe I was extremely lucky, but I do think the Estroven helps.

I hope you get some good information, and that you have an easy time with your menopause symptoms!!

Not, endometriosis, but had to to have a partial hysterectomy in my late 20's (I'm 70 now). I was put on premarin. Even so menopause happened early. Have been on premarin ever since. The few times I tried getting off of it have been miserable.

Now they know that the idea that hormones cause breast cancer is false as the testing was flawed. After discussing it with my gynecologist, I am now on a low dose of premarin. It helps keep my bones as healthy as they could be at my age. I got the impression that I was "allowed" to continue on premarin only because I have been on it for so long.

I don't think HRT is recommended for the most part anymore, am I correct?

I was told by my gyn that we'd discuss a short term plan IF necessary after I had a total hysterectomy w/removal of ovaries. Thankfully I never had any issues.

I have endo and had hysterectomy and right ovary removed at age 30. I started having menopause symptoms at 43 and opted for HRT when my hot flashes reached 10-15 per night. My doctor prescribed an estrogen only (because of the hysterectomy). I started with the lowest dose and then went up to the next dose and got good relief. I recently dropped down to the lower dose and am still getting good symptom management. 

I was diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 23. I had always had very painful periods and intense pain when I needed to have a bowel movement. I starting having pain during intercourse and sometimes when urinating. I had surgery and was told that my "treatment" options were to start on meds (I think Lupron) that would "essentially put me in menopause and make me hairy, gain weight, and have acne" (according to the doctor) or get pregnant. DH and I got married shortly after and decided to just go off birth control. I didn't get pregnant so the dr said I would probably need IVF. TTC for four years then looked into other options with a new doctor. Found out that DH had a varicocele so he had surgery. I got pregnant with oldest DS about 10 months later.

All four of my kids were born via C-section and they "cleaned up" the endometriosis afterwards. For sure after my youngest, but I think after the 3rd as well, they used a mesh to try to keep adhesions from forming, but there was already some tissue that they couldn't remove that was on my bladder and other organs. Dr said a hysterectomy could be very difficult. I have not had much pain since that time (and I hope it stays that way!).

I am not sure how HRT comes into play, but I do remember reading years ago that having a hysterectomy doesn't always help with endometriosis. Let us know what you find out!

I found out I had endometriosis when I was 20. I fought it off and on for almost 30 years until I had a full hysterectomy 2 years ago. I was always told endometriosis feeds off of estrogen. What I was told is that even if you a full hysterectomy (meaning removal of ovaries, Fallopian tubes and uterus), then supplement with any type of estrogen, that there is a chance it could come back.
I also take Estroven which does help the nighttime sweating.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Have dealt with endo for many years. My first thought when I saw this thread was don’t go scour the internet for info about endo... specifically groups and message boards about it. I will just say that for me it was very disheartening because the people with success stories don’t spend all their time on the web telling people about treatments that worked and how great they feel 😉.

I don’t have your exact same situation, but can offer my own experiences. I had my first surgery in mid twenties. I am mid 40’s now with 5 more lap’s to treat it and s/p hysterectomy (plus 3 babies) over the past two decades. I was able to save one ovary and am not menopausal, but unfortunately have a new endometrioma setting up shop 😫 and other symptoms to indicate that it is also growing elsewhere even without the majority of my uterus. After my first surgery and diagnosis, I was on Lupron and full blown menopause (for the first 6 months of marriage... that was awesome 🙄). In less than a year, I was back in the OR with the reproductive endocrinologist my GYN had referred me to because the pain was back aaaand so was the endo. So my anecdotal evidence is that yes, it somehow can still return even in menopause. Not being in natural menopause, I cannot speak directly to HRT but did use add back therapy with the Lupron and for a short period of time after my hysterectomy as my body tried to adjust to just one ovary carrying the load so to speak. I didn’t have any issues and was not high risk.

My best advice is to continue to ask questions and be your own advocate so that you are comfortable with your plan. Don’t be afraid to seek out a second opinion if you are unsure. And listen to your body! If the pain comes back, it should be much easier to get it treated with the diagnosis now. Best of luck to you!

(((Hugs))) please keep us updated on the results of your follow mammogram (and if they decide to do an ultrasound).