Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: MaritaB on April 15, 2018, 04:13:31 PM
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Hello lovely ladies
I have been diagnosed with adenomyosis following really painful cramping pre and during periods. Apparently this is an oestrogen-related condition which in my case was triggered by an oestrogen surge that started after my blood tests confirmed I was menopausal.In September 2017 I began low dose HRT (combined bio identical estadiol and progesterone cream) and within 6 weeks started to get really bad migraines. My oestrogen levels had shot up to 1800 so my HRT doctor advised to stop the estradiol and switch to utrogestan tablets which I did, however my estradiol levels continued to rise and by end of November they were at 3100! Then followed 3 months of absolute hell where I was in severe pain with ovarian and uterine cramps for the second half of each cycle. I had several scans during December and January where they said the pain was due to either fibroids or hyper ovulation. The 3rd scan revealed adenomyosis and I had the coil fitted in mid-Feb (as advised by both my GP and my HRT dr) which has made my periods a lot more manageable, alongside regular acupuncture and turmeric tablets to reduce the inflammation.
However as predicted by my HRT dr my oestrogen levels have now fallen again (I started feeling jittery from end of Jan so knew they were on their way down!) and I am back to the hot flashes, night sweats, feeling really tired and irritable etc - so am keen to go back on the HRT, however both my HRT dr and my GP want to to check with the gynaecologist before going back into it.
I have my gynae appointment at the end of April and wanted to find out if anyone else out there has been diagnosed with adenomyosis and whether they have continued with HRT and/or were advised to have a hysterectomy? Any advice and info welcomed!
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Hi and welcome to MM
The Mirena is really good at controlling problematic bleeding and conditions like adenomyosis. Hopefully the gynae will allow you to add back some oestrogen - possibly as Oestrogel - as the Mirena should continue to protect your womb lining. Let us know how you get on. DG x
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Hi
Yes I was diagnosed with adenomyosis and yes it's a very painful and draining condition.
I had the Mirena fitted and I bled constantly for 3 months. In the end, as I was passing golf ball sized clots, sorry for TMI and wasn't even sure that I still had the Mirena in me. My consultant offered me a hysterectomy and I snatched his hand off.
I was 45 at the time, 46 now, and couldn't face the possibility of another 6/7 years of bleeding like I was.
It's personal choice and I have been very lucky as some have complications with a hysterectomy. The consultant said my op was wasn't straight forward as my uterus was welded to my bladder and it took a while to get it away. But after 7 weeks off work, the operation was a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy done along my Caesarean scar, I was back at work!
I still have my ovaries, and take HRT and have never had any regrets.
I did feel a bit different mentally as I knew I was unable to have children anymore, didn't want anymore either, but I suppose it was the hormones putting me into a different bracket of ages, middle age! But I think that's what the menopause is all about.
Hope this helps you - as I said hysterectomy was a personal choice for me and I have been lucky in my recovery.
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Thanks Mis71Mum that's really helpful to know. Sorry you had that awful experience but it sounds like that it was the best outcome for you.
I note that you switched from patches to gel, what was the reason for this and do you find gel more manageable ? Mx
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Hi
I saw a gyny who wanted me to change because she said that you could get a hit from patches for the first 24 hours. I did agree with her on this. However, I am also getting the hit on gel too! So I'm work in progress at the moment!
I'm peri so this is probably why sometimes I feel the gel is too much, but then sometimes I feel that it's not enough!
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Your story mirrors mines down to detail MIS71MUM right down to the bladder and womb adhesion,they blamed that for my constant kidney infections.ive also never regretted having a hysterectomy,womb and cervix kept ovaries, wish I hadn't though,but anyway I was exactly the same with the patches great on first day or two then dropped like a stone so that's why I tried the gel and it's much better for me,I will try and get the lenzetto spray when I go to Spain next month and try that as a couple of the other ladies on the forum are trialling it with success just now.x
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Thanks both, when you mean get a hit from the gel or patches do you mean you get agitated/palpitations/dizzy etc? If so that's what i've been getting with the red clover that i've been experimenting with ! It seems so hard to get the dosage right. I took two doses of red clover tincture in one day and spent the night having hot flushes and palpitating 😣
Daisy dot - keen to know about the spray, is this supposed to be better than the gel?
Mx
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A few doses of Red Clover will not have been enough to reduce flushes - if you are peri meno then the flushes will come and go. You have to use Red Clover for many weeks before you will feel any benefits, if at all - it doesn't work that well fro many women. HRT gel will give consistent relief from flushes and night sweats. DG x
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Thanks DG yes i've read that red clover is not as potent as estradiol, however as I'm waiting for my gynae appointment to get clearance for re-starting the HRT I need to try sonething in the meantime! Mx
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Hi MaritaB type lenzetto into the search facility to read the posts on it,quite a bit.xx