Hi,
Thought this might be a valuable thread to start, and I'm confused as what to do myself.
I have a history of Endometriosis and definate Pudendal Neuralgia.
Was looking forward to menopause, as I knew it would wipe out the Endometriosis and hopefully ease some of the symptoms.
Well I'm officially menopausal, and I do not have the dreaded monthly flair up of pain anymore (in my opinion, the monthly curse flairs up any type of physical pain because of it's inflammatory nature, shift in hormones..etc....) but now I've got menopause symptoms to add to the list.
My new gyno recommends Bio-indentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Have done alot of research, and generally BIHRT is actually beneficial to the body and I would opt for this in a minute if I thought it wouldn't flare up the endo, but who knows?
I still don't know what role Endometriosis played/plays in my pain.
Would appreciate any thoughts or experiences with bio-indentical hormones, even if you didn't have endo....and if you did....PLEASE help!!
Less pain everybody,
Jackie OUCH
Menopause, Hormone Replacement Theory & PN
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JackieOUCH
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:06 pm
Menopause, Hormone Replacement Theory & PN
Started with severe burning sacral pain to R hip/pelvis, bladder, bowel
History Endometriosis
Antolak Diagnosed PN--1 PN block made pain much worse & more widespread for a year
PT 2 yrs--Did not help physically, but was educational
Potter MRI: Symmetric thickening Sacrotuberous ligaments/scarring ischial & Alcocks canal.
History Endometriosis
Antolak Diagnosed PN--1 PN block made pain much worse & more widespread for a year
PT 2 yrs--Did not help physically, but was educational
Potter MRI: Symmetric thickening Sacrotuberous ligaments/scarring ischial & Alcocks canal.
Re: Menopause, Hormone Replacement Theory & PN
A few parallels here.
I had endo, didn't know it until about twelve years ago, just thought I had very painful periods. Am sure I am now past menopause, but still get hot flushes most days, bit of a nuisance but not a lot I can do about it really. When I started peri-menopause ten years ago, quite soon after I had a hyst, my GP put me on bio-identical oestrogen HRT - progesterone not needed because I'd had the hyst, of course. This stuff was brilliant, I felt so well and had so much energy, it was wonderful. I'd have taken it for the rest of my life if they'd let me. However I had a DVT after three years, second time I've had one of these - yes, HRT was a risk for me in the first place - and this time I also had a PE and nearly died. So no more systemic HRT for me.
Thoughts with regard to endo flares and HRT - when did you get the pain? Was it during the phase when the endometrial tissue was thickening? - or when it was shedding, ie during the period? And what type of HRT is your doctor considering? - if it is one of those where you take it for 21 days and then either stop or switch to a different tablet for the last 7 days of the cycle, when you have a shedding phase like a period, then that will have different considerations from the type where you just take it every day - that last sort is very low dose. I'm sure you can see the connections - I used to have pain during my period, with the type of HRT that I was on, I did not have a shedding phase so no endo pain.
Remember that doses and types of med can always be adjusted - if one form of HRT does not suit, another may turn out to be perfect for you. And once you are actually past menopause the unpleasant symptoms do stop, in the main. But that can take years.
Best of luck with your decision - personally I'd give it a try. Anything that improves quality of life is good.
I had endo, didn't know it until about twelve years ago, just thought I had very painful periods. Am sure I am now past menopause, but still get hot flushes most days, bit of a nuisance but not a lot I can do about it really. When I started peri-menopause ten years ago, quite soon after I had a hyst, my GP put me on bio-identical oestrogen HRT - progesterone not needed because I'd had the hyst, of course. This stuff was brilliant, I felt so well and had so much energy, it was wonderful. I'd have taken it for the rest of my life if they'd let me. However I had a DVT after three years, second time I've had one of these - yes, HRT was a risk for me in the first place - and this time I also had a PE and nearly died. So no more systemic HRT for me.
Thoughts with regard to endo flares and HRT - when did you get the pain? Was it during the phase when the endometrial tissue was thickening? - or when it was shedding, ie during the period? And what type of HRT is your doctor considering? - if it is one of those where you take it for 21 days and then either stop or switch to a different tablet for the last 7 days of the cycle, when you have a shedding phase like a period, then that will have different considerations from the type where you just take it every day - that last sort is very low dose. I'm sure you can see the connections - I used to have pain during my period, with the type of HRT that I was on, I did not have a shedding phase so no endo pain.
Remember that doses and types of med can always be adjusted - if one form of HRT does not suit, another may turn out to be perfect for you. And once you are actually past menopause the unpleasant symptoms do stop, in the main. But that can take years.
Best of luck with your decision - personally I'd give it a try. Anything that improves quality of life is good.
Re: Menopause, Hormone Replacement Theory & PN
Jackie, I use bio-identical hormones for osteoporosis and it has helped. My last bone scan came out better than my previous one. I don't have endo so can't say anything about that. It helps take away night sweats but it causes increased tenderness if you have any fibrocystic breast disease and may increase your risk of breast cancer.JackieOUCH wrote:
Would appreciate any thoughts or experiences with bio-indentical hormones, even if you didn't have endo....and if you did....PLEASE help!!
Violet
PNE since 2002. Started from weightlifting. PNE surgery from Dr. Bautrant, Oct 2004. Pain now is usually a 0 and I can sit for hours on certain chairs. No longer take medication for PNE. Can work full time and do "The Firm" exercise program. 99% cured from PGAD. PNE surgery was right for me but it might not be for you. Do your research.