Vicki is 39 years and has struggled with heavy periods and related pain since she was 10 years old. She was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis at 22 but continued to suffer with severe pain, heavy bleeding and UTIs, despite treatments and multiple surgical interventions. As a last attempt to be pain free, Vicki chose to have a hysterectomy when she was 35. Even though her ovaries were not removed, she realised she was entering menopause after the operation when she began having night sweats, insomnia, anxiety and very dry hair and skin. The ‘cure’ Vicki was hoping for didn’t materialise – another battle just began instead, as it took 18 months to access the treatment she now needed for her menopause.
Vicki shares some of the struggles younger women have when trying to get help for endometriosis and/or a surgical or early menopause, and reflects on the decision she made and the lack of information provided to her at the time. Dr Louise Newson advises women in this situation to speak with their doctor about the likelihood of surgery triggering menopause and to find out about the symptoms and benefits of HRT in advance, so you are prepared.
Vicki’s tips if you have, or think you have, endometriosis:
You can read more about Vicki’s experience here and follow her on Instagram
Vicki helped contribute to the booklet, ‘Endometriosis and You’
For more about endometriosis, visit Endometriosis UK
041 - You Are Feeling Sleeeepy - Kathryn Pinkham & Dr Louise Newson
040 - ’Supporting Your Immunity’ - Emma Ellice-Flint & Dr Louise Newson
039 - Oestrogen Matters - Dr Avrum Bluming & Dr Louise Newson
038 - Research on Testosterone & Menopause - Lauren Redfern & Dr Louise Newson
037 - Ageing Well, Menopause and Yoga - Claudia Brown & Dr Louise Newson
036 - Sex and the Menopause - Samantha Evans & Dr Louise Newson
035 - Hair Loss and Hormones - Dr Sajjad Rajpar & Dr Louise Newson
034 - Menopause Taboo in Women from Different Ethnic Groups - Dr Nighat Arif & Dr Louise Newson
033 - Bone Health, Osteoporosis & the Menopause - Professor David Reid & Dr Louise Newson
032 - Taking HRT Forever - Ann Newson & Dr Louise Newson
031 - Pelvic Floor Health - Jane Simpson & Dr Louise Newson
030 - Early Menopause and POI - Dr Sarah Ball and Dr Louise Newson
029 - Life after Breast Cancer - Kirsty Lang and Dr Louise Newson
028 - Menopause and Friendship - Kate Parr & Dr Louise Newson
027 - Menopause and the Skin - Dr Sajjad Rajpar and Dr Louise Newson
026 - Surgical Menopause - Dr Rebecca Lewis & Dr Louise Newson
025 - Missing my Perimenopause - Katie Taylor & Dr Louise Newson
024 - Menopause & West Midlands Police - Yvonne Bruton & Dr Louise Newson
023 - Menopause & the Pelvic Floor - Nicola Mulkeen & Dr Louise Newson
022 - Menopause for Partners - Leigh Goulding & Dr Louise Newson
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