Hi Everyone,
The Australian Early Menopause Network will be featured in the Body and Soul lift out of the Sunday newspaper this weekend (20/11/11).
AEMN has begun to attract some media interest which is fantastic and will really help our efforts to promote and support women experiencing EM and associated fertility challenges.
I hope that you're havng a great week,
Tanya
I found your website from reading the article in Body and Soul. I have never commented on an internet forum before but I don't personally know anyone else who is in menopause at 40 like me. I also don't know anyone who is infertile and hasn't been able to have children like me so I thought it might be nice to be in contact with people who really understand.
I have severe endometriosis and when surgery, medication and diet didn't get rid of the crippling and never-ending pain (everyday - not just once a month) I decided to have a hysterectomy as a last ditch effort to try and live a pain-free life. The pain became bearable for about a year and then came back worse than ever.
At that point, my one ovary that wasn't taken in the hysterectomy started to fail and I started to get some of the symptoms of menopause. Tests confirmed that I was going into menopause. The ovary was also huge and full of endo and other cysts so I had another surgery to remove it.
The hot flushes started within a day but then stopped again a day later when I was put on oestrogen patches (Estraderm MX50).
The last surgery was in July this year and I have had no symptoms of menopause at all. I am actually having trouble keeping weight on rather than the weight gain which is usually associated with menopause.
We tried to get pregnant for 7 years so I have had time to come to terms with the fact that we can't have children. I am extremely lucky to have wonderful husband. Lots of people have children but don't have a happy marriage so I know I am very fortunate. I also have never felt that something is missing since my hysterectomy and I have never felt like any less of a woman which I know is an issue for some women.
I would be really interested to know of anyone else who is on the same eostrogen patches and the experience they have had. I am optimistic (and hopeful) that I will continue to have the same great results from the patches for the next 5 years.
Unfortunately some of my enodmetriosis pain has returned but it it usually mild and comes and goes.
Congratulations on your website Tanya. It was also great to read the article in Body and Soul because menopause in young woman (or youngish in my case) doesn't get much coverage in the media.
Sheraden
Hi Sheraden,
Welcome to the AEMN community and thank you for your post on the forum! I am so delighted that you have joined.
Thank you also for sharing your story. I was sorry to read of your infertility and it sounds like your journey to Menopause has certainly had its challenges. It was lovely to read about the wonderful support of your husband. I hope that the impact of your endometriosis continues to be mild and that your Menopause symptoms remain at bay.
Elements of your journey into Menopause and subsequent infertility were similar to mine. As you may have read in the Body and Soul article, I too had a hysterectomy in an effort to achieve a pain free and healthy life that was not dominated by my crazy hormones! Adenomyosis was my diagnosis and my ovaries were also full of cysts upon their removal. I too, haven't felt less of a woman since my surgeries. Connecting with other women experiencing EM and fertility challenges has been such a significant part of my healing and choice to move on and live life. I hope that being part of AEMN brings you the same benefits!
In answer to your question, I wore a HRT patch after my ovaries were removed. The hot flushes and other Menopausal symptoms began immediately after surgery. I started on a patch called Estradot - the original dose was 25 and after I awhile I started wearing a strength of 50. The patches stopped the Menopause symptoms, in particular the hot flushes. I also have a thyroid condition and after consulting with a new endocrinologist he suggested I try a tablet form of oestrogen as he was also making changes to my thyroid medication. I was always hesitant to take HRT in tablet form as I had read that it is harder work for my liver. The Dr said that it made no difference with the particular HRT tablet he prescribed for me - it's called Zumenon and I take it daily. I can't remember exactly why he suggested I make the change and will check at my next appointment. I will say that when I was on the patch, I would sometimes forget to change it on time and would notice some subtle fluctuations in my emotions and Menopause symptoms. The consistency of the daily tablet has obviously taken this away.
I have been fascinated to read and learn that endometriosis can return even after a hysterectomy. I did ask a gynaecologist why this can happen and she said that it's a mystery. I was wondering if you had any information on how it can grow and be present with no monthly cycle? I was also wondering if you're happy to share what state you live in? Sometimes, AEMN members living in the same area like to be connected.
I am so pleased that you found your way to AEMN via the Body and Soul article. It was our first official media attention – hopefully the first of many so that we can continue to raise awareness for EM and associated infertility.
Take care Sheraden and I hope to hear from you again soon!
Tanya
Hi Tanya
Thank you so much for replying to my post and I apologise for taking such a long time to reply to you.
In response to your question about how endo can come back after a hysterectomy; there is still so little information about the causes of endo. I had the hysterectomy based on the theory that endo gets out of the uterus and into the pelvis from retrograde mensturation but even if that is how it starts, microscopic sized adhesions can still be left after surgery. I still have endo on my diaphragm and my bowel.
Unfortunately, within days of my last post, my endo pain had come back really badly and I have constant pain again.
I am really confused at the moment because I have one gynaecologist who suggested I go off my oestrogen patches for 6 weeks and if the pain gets better, it's from endo if not it is now something else. Another gynaecologist is saying that I now have chronic pelvic pain and there is nothing left for me but learning to deal with living with pain.
I have been off my patches for 4 weeks (not loving the hot flushes but so far my only symptom) and my endo pain is not gone but heaps better. I have been researching the risks of surgical menopause and I know that I have to go back on the patches but the oestrogen feeds my endo which causes more pain.
I would love to find a doctor who will sit down with me and answer my questions and not make me feel as though I have to hurry up for his next patient. I really feel like I am getting so much more information from my own research but would like to check the details with a professional.
If you have any suggestions for a fantastic (& patient) gynaecologist, I would really appreciate it.
You also asked me about which state I live in case you have other members living in my area. I live in Murwillumbah in Northern NSW (about 20 minutes south of the Gold Coast). I would be happy to be in contact with other women who are in early menopause. I don't know anyone else with severe endometriosis or who is my age and going through menopause so it would be amazing to speak to women who understand what it is like. I am also about to start a local endometriosis group.
Thanks for your help Tanya.
Warm regards
Sheraden
Hi Sheraden,
It was great to hear from you again. I was really sorry to read that your endo pain has returned! It is such a mysterious and debilitating condition. I was fascinated to read that you have some deposits on your diaphragm! I hope that you have managed to get some further relief from the discomfort and pain. It sounds like you are in a very frustrating situation with the HRT - it's a catch 22 isn't it - relief when you're not on it but all this advice to be on it to protect your bones etc over the long term.
I too, struggled to find a good gynaecologist. And yes, it often seems like you a paying alot of money to a specialist who is in a rush and rarely has time to answer your questions thoroughly or at times, accurately. I too have found that doing my own research has been of greater benefit. I have also been told many times over throughout different medical experiences that I just have to live with it but I have always managed to find a new solution, new expert or a new way of management etc. I will say that this has taken lots of energy, money and time but it has been worth it.
I'm not sure if you've seen one before but can I recommend an endocrinologist? I have had significant success since seeing one regularly. I didn't see one until all my girly bits had been removed and I'd been in Early Menopause for awhile. I wish that I had done it sooner. I was frustrated with the lack of hormonal balance I was experiencing - I have a thyroid condition too and this was complicating things. The positive changes since seeing my endocrinologist have been fantastic. Realistically, maintaining the hormonal balance will require maintenance and some juggling throughout my life as my body changes etc and it seems that collaborating with a good endocrinologist is working for me.
We have a few members in southern QLD that I can put you in contact with and if you’re willing to travel I can recommend an outstanding endocrinologist – are you happy to email me at earlymenopause@yahoo.com and I can share the specific information and contacts with you.
I think I may have mentioned this already but I’m also thinking about organising a weekend away/mini conference for women experiencing Early Menopause in October this year. Good luck with your local endo group – what a great initiative! As you know, connecting with women in similar experiences makes the world of difference.
Hope to hear from you again soon Sheraden and really hope that you find a solution to managing your pain and HRT ASAP!
Best wishes,
Tanya
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