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
092 - Menopause care and education in the United States and Britain - Heather Hirsch and Dr Louise Newson
091 - Being Young & Menopausal - Hayley Etherington & Dr Louise Newson
090 - Talking About Menopause with Women From Ethnic Minorities - Rushna Mia & Dr Louise Newson
089 - The Benefits of HRT - Professor Isaac Manyonda & Dr Louise Newson
088 - Endometriosis and the Menopause - Chris Mann & Dr Louise Newson
087 - Menopause Education for GPs - Dr Tosin Taiwo & Dr Louise Newson
086 - Lockdown & Weight Loss - Emma Ellice-Flint & Dr Louise Newson
085 - Medical Menopause - Emma McAuley & Dr Louise Newson
084 - Menopause and Health - Dr Annice Mukherjee & Dr Louise Newson
083 - The Importance of Lifestyle During the Menopause - Amanda Thebe & Dr Louise Newson
082 - The Personal & Professional Costs of the Menopause - Chris Oglesby & Dr Louise Newson
081 - Pilates & the Menopause - Dinah Siman & Dr Louise Newson
080 - ”How My Work Was Affected by the Menopause” - Kate Halfpenny & Dr Louise Newson
079 - Media & the Menopause - Nadia Sawalha & Dr Louise Newson
078 - Urogenital Symptoms of the Menopause - Lavinia Winch & Dr Louise Newson
077 - Spoon-Fed: Food & Tim Spector - Tim Spector & Dr Louise Newson
076 - Menopause and Employment Law - Victoria Duddles & Dr Louise Newson
075 - Premature Menopause & Fertility - Dr Rebecca Gibbs & Dr Louise Newson
074 - HRT Prescriptions in England - Dr Sarah Hillman & Dr Louise Newson
073 - Menopause in the Media - Kaye Adams & Dr Louise Newson
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