I have endo. I have had a hysterectomy (I also had adenomyosis) and no longer have any reproductive organs. I am 43.

I had my last surgery, to remove my remaining ovary, in August. I started hormone replacement therapy a few days prior to surgery. I am on estradiol (a type of estrogen) and progesterone by mouth and a testosterone cream that is applied to skin.

Shortly after surgery I noticed that familiar achy pain in the spot I always had it in. I reported it to my doctor who confirmed my suspicion that it was an endo patch stimulated by the estrogen. I stopped estradiol for a couple of weeks and the pain (as well as my low back pain) went away.

Now I’ve started back on half the dose of estradiol I was on before. Two days in and the pain is coming back, but what’s worse is the low back pain/locked up back I’m experiencing.

I think estrogen is important for me. If I’m on unopposed progesterone, my appetite is out of control. Estrogen helps my skin to be clear as well. And of course it’s important for bone and heart health. I’m only 43 so I should be on HRT for at least the next 10 years.

Does anyone have any experiences to share? Any ideas? I’m going to come back off estradiol just because the pain I’m in is agonizing. I’m wondering if a patch would work better.

Thanks in advance!