Does anyone stay on HRT with adenomyosis diagnosis?

[SallySailor]

I am 50 and have just been diagnosed with adenomyosis. I'm terrified that it will mean am end to HRT. I have been on HRT for three years and it has made a huge difference to me in reducing fatigue and migraines. Has anyone got experience with this? There seems to be so little information out there.

I am sorry you're doing through this. HRT (and/or surgery) is a tool used to manage Adenomyosis is peri/menopausal women. I am not a doctor though-so, no definite answer here.
However, given the symptoms of Adenomyosis (and depending on your own story) have you considered functional medicine for a more holistic approach to managing your condition?

Menopause (natural, surgical or medical) halts the progression of adenomyosis.

There is the risk that HRT may exacerbate your adenomyosis. You may need to balance the benefits of HRT (menopause symptoms worse) vs no HRT (adenomyosis symptoms worse).

Or get a hysterectomy, which would solve the adenomyosis permanently (but would not solve any endometriosis if you also have that).

Sorry, that was confusing. To reword it: You may need to balance the benefits of HRT (if your menopause symptoms are the main issue) vs no HRT (if your adenomyosis symptoms are the main issue).

Hi, so endometriosis and adenomyosis here and I'm 47 and had surgery for endometriosis.

The one non surgical way to help is to start using the mini pill (2pills) or coil to stop periods while adding back in oestrogen and testosterone, the cyclical nature of HRT is making you have periods, so move to a continuous regimen to stop the periods, then stop the pain.

Once you are fully menopausal the adenomyosis will naturally stop being a problem, unless you also have fibroids etc

The adenomyosis I'm assuming is causing you monthly pain, cramps and heavy bleeding, so other than a hysterectomy the option above works.

Hysterectomy's are common but not without complications and it's a major surgery for something that may resolve itself in the next 5 years.

The mini pill is a synthetic hormone so comes with risks as well, but it's working for me.

Thanks all, so it seems for some HRT is still on the cards. That has made me bit more optimistic :)
Yes @Itakechargeofmyhealthwithscience I think it's probably a good call to see a functional medicine practitioner, once I know a bit more about what's going. Is it something you have tried?

Glad to help. @SallySailor I have successfully tried it for other reasons and I am currently launching a digital health app to provide access to a range of scientific tests and tailored help from specialists in Functional and Integrated Medicine. In the meantime I am happy to share any curated scientific knowledge available.

Hi
i
Know this thread is a while ago but I just wondered what path you took?
i have adenomyosis and am peri menopausal

@Echibob I am still on HRT. Neither GP nor NHS gyne seemed to have an issue with it. However, GP by own admission has very little knowledge of adeno and gyne was only interested in fitting a Mirena. So I'm thinking, depending on how things go, I'll find a private gyne who specialises in both HRT and adeno

Would you consider surgery? My SIL (early 50s) had adenomyosis and struggled on for years before having a hysterectomy (ovaries remain) which has honestly changed her life. She still has HRT patches to control hot flushes and some other symptoms but has no regrets.

@HeidiWhole thank you, but at this stage no. Hysterectomy aftermath can be pretty grim, if unlucky, so at the moment I'm keeping fingers crossed that I'll be through menopause in a not too distant future and that that clears things up. Since starting this thread, I've had a Mirena fitted and, so far, it has helped quite a bit. However, it depends what the future holds. If things go downhill again, I might have to weigh things up differently. Good to hear things worked out for your sister - we always hear more of the things that have gone wrong