Endometriosis symptoms gradually diminish when menstrual cycles are abolished (after menopause, on treatment with the Depoprovera injection or the Mirena hormone coil and during pregnancy or prolonged breast-feeding). However, the cells don't disappear unless they have been completely surgically rem...

The unfortunate answer is - Yes: It depends to some extent on how thoroughly the operation was performed, (of course including removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries) to prevent any small residual areas of endometriotic cells being stimulated by cyclical hormones. Also, it's more difficult to see (&...

Although it would be ideal to receive results within two-to-three weeks, the delay depends on how busy the local pathology lab is, and how well it is staffed. Many departments rely on locums to maintain their flow-rates, and one of the great benefits of Brexit has been a significant reduction in EU ...

Vagifem (natural human estrogen) vaginal pessaries are safe for life-long use . The total amount of estrogen absorbed into the body over one year of twice weekly use is approx 1.4mg - which is less than that produced by most people's peripheral body fat in one week. Also the "standard dose&quo...

Painful sex after menopause is usually due to lack of estrogen causing vaginal dryness and an inability to lubricate naturally. It occurs very commonly - even in women taking full-dose systemic HRT. If you're unable to take systemic estrogen (i.e oral, patches or gels), most women can take vaginal e...

There's very little reason for testing estrogen levels in anyone - except those with premature or surgical menopause who don't appear to be absorbing their oral or transdermal HRT. Diagnosis (and treatment adjustment) of perimenopause is made on an alteration of typical mental and physical symptoms ...

Hi - it's obvious from the precise timing of your symptoms that they are related to & caused by the hormonal changes of your menstrual cycle, most probably by falling levels of estrogen immediately after ovulation & just before your period bleeding. Any physical or mental symptom with a repe...

Progesterone is not absorbed through the skin in any significant quantity, so there are no medically-approved creams or gels containing natural human progesterone. Such creams that do exist and are marketed have no obvious pharmacological action, and it's not clear to me or other accredited menopaus...

If you're taking the progesterone only pill "Cerelle" [which contains Desogestrel & is also known as Cerazette/Desorex/Feanolla] and you're happy & feeling well on it, there's no reason to stop until one year after you've started developing obvious menopausal or perimenopausal symp...

PCOS reduces overall fertility, but doesn't prevent it: It's a hormonal / biochemical condition and you don't necessarily need to have actual cysts on the ovaries. For more info, see: https://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/what-is-pcos.html . Most importantly, it doesn't significantly contribute to pelvic, ...