hormone injection treatment for endometriosis?

Hi I had a laparoscopy on the 5th December and the consultant told me that there was severe and extensive endometriosis and that I had no discernible ovaries because they had been elongated by adhesion and were covered in cysts etc. basically I was one of the worst he had seen. The reason it was found was because I suffered intramenstral bleeding and have been trying to get pregnant for about two years. I am 40 now and so decided to make sure everything was ok. Good job I did anyway the consultant recommended prostrap3 for one injection to 'dry everything up' as he couldn't remove all of it. Then to start trying in march. I was worried about the side effects I.e. Hair loss, weight gain, depression, fat ankles etc. but reasoned that it's probably not going to have time to affect me over the course of one injection. Today is when I should start my period and I am having a light one which hopefully won't last and again I'm reasoning that it will probably take a few injections to stop periods completely. If you want babies I would follow the docs advice and go on the pill the endometriosis  will not have a chance to come back if you have hormonal treatment to stop the cycle which allows it to grow. Being on the pill will allow you the opportunity to stop when you want to get pregnant and increase your chances as there should be limited endo growth and therefore the removal that has been done won't be in vain. I want to go on depo provera after either having baby or trying to as this will stop periods and hormones, fingers crossed I'll feel better. The injection has made me feel rubbish but it's only for a month so I took it. Good luck and hopefully you've been able to make an inform choice x

Hi Nicjh yes I has the same problem, it's very difficult to ask the right questions when they deliver a lot of information to you when you're in a groggy state! I also had to take the injection before I left the hospital. I get the impression that the consultant is trying to do the best for me in terms of conceiving and perhaps this is why I am only having one injection as the main reason for the op was to check my fertility. I did ask if the injection was likely to kickstart actual menopause and he said no, which did set my mind at ease a bit. Go to your appointment with a list of questions set out on paper and get her/him to draw you a diagram so you know exactly what they saw. Hopefully that might help you be clearer on why it's recommended for three months. And also if you have the first injection and get really bad side affects you can refuse the rest and go on the pill, one injection will have some effect otherwise I would reckon i'd be on more. Also my side effects are mainly headaches and appetite loss the rest are minor twinges with the pain and bleeding around when my period should be but I've seen in other forums that quite a lot of women get this bleeding. Will be back in touch after new year to let you know how a month goes on the injection xxx

Hi. I have had a very similar experience. I've not really suffered with period problems but suddenly got sharp pains especially when bending down quickly and had started getting a bit of discharge. Scan showed a large cyst so had laparoscopy 3 weeks ago to remove. Turns out I was riddled in endo and it had fused organs together hence the pain when I stretched my insides on bending down. I wasn't given a choice and was given the first of 3 zoladex shots in recovery room to bring on menopause and stop the hormones in readiness for total hysterectomy. I have really suffered from side effects from week 2 of first injection. vomiting from severe headaches and the worst is the neck pain. I've had mild night sweats but they are OK in comparison. I have taken more pain killers in last few weeks than all the years of periods I'm 39. Seriously consider having your hormones stopped as I'm sure that because of amount of endo found drs have assumed my endo pain was really bad-it wasnt. I'm now not sure what to do as 2nd jab due and  even whether to have op as I feel worse now than before. I have had date through without any further consultation with Dr which I've now insisted on. Not saying you are going to react in same way but just be mindful you could. Good luck

That's so annoying when they are flippant. My consultant said women can get pregnant until about 50yrs old or the menopause as long as everything is working. I've been doing some reading and there is a lot of evidence to support diet change as a way to reduce, manage and reverse endo. Have look at 'the endometriosis natural treatment program' Ann Valerie Worwood, Julia Stonehouse. It's on Amazon. Lots of info on the condition and there is another book which has lots of recipes that are really easy. Perhaps this is better than hormones that will make your migraines and depression worse. My symptoms have turned into muscle aches but the headaches have gone away.