I’m 34 and after some troubling symptoms, I did an at home menopause test which is positive.
Bit of background- I’m 34, have 2 dd (12 and 11). Conceived and delivered with no complications. Then years after second dd periods were worse- more painful, heavy and longer duration. Pains during periods was unbearable and then other symptoms such as pelvic pain, back pain, fatigue, severe pain having a bm or passing urine, frequent uti etc.
this led to a gynaecologist referral and years later at an appointment I was told the MRI came back showing endo is everywhere. I was briefly informed of my options and risks such as damage to bowel during surgery and the risk of a stoma etc. I was told they could ‘put my ovaries to sleep’ with a monthly injection which would mean the endo wouldn’t continue to grow whilst I waited for surgery to remove the lesions. I stupidly, said yes to the prostap injections and that same week had menopausal hellish symptoms.
stayed on the prostap for over a year and then had laparoscopic surgery to remove lesions. Got a Mirena coil to manage the regrowth and slow it all down and no more prostap/ medical menopause.
fast forward to 2 years later and my symptoms are back to square one. I’m in so much pain on a daily basis and all that has changed is that now I also have developed a tolerance for stronger painkillers which i take daily to try and give myself some quality of life and get up and about to work and do what I need to do. I’m back on waitlist for surgery and have had my preop. Just waiting now for the surgery date.
However, the last 6 months, I’ve had hardly any monthly bleeding. Just on and off here and there and the last two months nothing. I’ve also noticed I’m forgetting everything, doing stupid and unsafe things as a result like leaving car unlocked, keys in the door etc. Also, getting very hot at night, unbearably hot and sweaty. Having hot flashes through the day more often. But, because I’ve been through the medical menopause, I always thought I’d know when I went through it naturally. However, it feels much of the same just slower and not sudden. I decided to do a menopause test and it has come back positive. Not sure what to do next. Do I wait for my surgery as normal or speak to a doctor about hrt.
one of the main problems I had with the medical menopause was that my bones ache so much more since then and I’m sure it had an affect on my joints and overall health. My family is complete but losing control of my fertility is quite sad as I didn’t think about all the what ifs. Please advise on whether this is really quite uncommon or how to navigate it better x