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I'm 46 and my new gyno (someone who truly listens) wants to remove ovaries over doing hormone blocking meds.

A MyEndometriosisTeam Member asked a question 💭
Hunlock Creek, PA

Anyone think this is a bad idea? Prometrium gave me insane rage and very difficult to sleep with racing thoughts. Scared of instant menopause and other hrt.

January 23
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Answer Summary

Members deeply connected over the difficult decision of whether to remove ovaries versus trying alternative treatments for endometriosis, with... Read more

Members deeply connected over the difficult decision of whether to remove ovaries versus trying alternative treatments for endometriosis, with one experienced member strongly advocating for exhausting all non-surgical options first unless there is family history of ovarian cancer or diseased organs. Several members shared practical wisdom including gathering detailed family reproductive health history to inform decisions, exploring natural supplements like Happy Hormones alongside prescription options, and being crystal clear about surgical risks and post-op expectations since scar tissue and adhesions can create complications. A recurring theme was the frustration of endometriosis baffling medical professionals who may rush to surgery as an easy solution, the financial and emotional toll of navigating specialists and testing, and the importance of self-advocacy when dealing with a progressive disease that affects multiple body systems.

A MyEndometriosisTeam Member

We got 18 inches of snow. It's awful here, but I have friends going on 4 days without power in this brutal cold! Stay safe chickie

January 26
MyEndometriosisTeam

Is removing your ovaries instead of using hormone blocking medications a good option for managing endometriosis at 46?

It's understandable to feel scared about surgical menopause and HRT, especially after having such a difficult reaction to Prometrium. This is a decision that requires careful consideration of both benefits Show Full Answer

Is removing your ovaries instead of using hormone blocking medications a good option for managing endometriosis at 46?

It's understandable to feel scared about surgical menopause and HRT, especially after having such a difficult reaction to Prometrium. This is a decision that requires careful consideration of both benefits and risks.

Removing the ovaries (oophorectomy) will cause immediate menopause since your body will stop producing reproductive hormones. While this can help with endometriosis symptoms, it comes with important considerations:

Potential risks of removing ovaries:
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Higher risk of osteoporosis
- Immediate menopause symptoms like hot flashes

About HRT after surgery:
Most doctors recommend starting HRT after oophorectomy to reduce menopause symptoms. The good news is that HRT after ovary removal doesn't usually cause endometriosis to come back. HRT today is also less risky than it was in the past, though it's important to discuss your personal risk factors with your doctor. A MyEndometriosisTeam member shared a similar concern: "I initially preferred to take everything out, not only because of endometriosis but also due to the risk of cancer. However, my doctor said there were side effects of having surgical menopause (cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis), so he wants to leave one ovary if possible."

Since you've had such a negative reaction to hormone medications, it's worth having an honest conversation with your new doctor about your specific health history, including any family history of heart disease or osteoporosis, to weigh whether the benefits outweigh the risks for you personally.

January 23
A MyEndometriosisTeam Member

Survived colonoscopy and endoscopy. Found nothing, return in 10 years! Now back to gyno.

February 5
A MyEndometriosisTeam Member

Going in next week for endoscopy and colonoscopy before deciding on gyno surgery.

Is there any gi issues that correspond with endometriosis. Can they check for sibo then? There is no diagnostic place in our area that does the actual test.

January 30
A MyEndometriosisTeam Member

Oh damn, rock & a hard place! I'm so thankful you found someone who listens & ever so bummed they wanna yank. Are your organs diseased? Obviously throwing crazy cysts means they're not functioning properly but that usually comes down to hormone dysfunction. What did you learn about the cysts?

My first gyno discussed removal as an option but I too didn't want immediate meno; was similar age & down to Lefty. She told me to collect family herstory so I interviewed all my female relatives' about their repro health; my Dad's sister had already passed & she wouldn't have been enthused if willing to discuss such a thing. Based on the avg age of my Mom's kin hitting pause, I decided to keep Lefty & seek alternatives.

IMO, surgery should always be the last option; invasive, 💩 can go wrong, & irreversible. I'm now w/gyno #4 (#2 was excellent but she left the practice 🫤) & she wants to do everything to avoid surgery; I selected her bc she's a D.O., Endo experienced, & performs reconstructive surgery (so if it comes down to that, she's got mad skills.)

If there's family herstory of ovarian cancer or they're diseased, strongly consider yanking. Otherwise, You tried 1 hormone blocker--- that's not very exhaustive from a treatment perspective. I'm not a paid sponsor nor am I a shareholder: I am grateful a former student told me about Happy Hormones; it's a natural supplement that helps hormone imbalance. My treatment regimen includes it, the mini pill, anti-inflam diet, & all the rest I need but my finish line is quickly approaching: after my birthday, we're gonna try stopping the mini pill to see what happens.

I think this disease flummoxes medical professionals & surgery is a fast & fairly 'easy' solution. Unless__, keep it in your back pocket & seek alternatives. Big hugs.

January 24

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