Endometriosistissue responds to hormones just as theendometrium(lining of the uterus) does.
Estrogen stimulates its growth, while progestin inhibits its growth.
In some cases, endometriosis seems to develop after menopause in people who did not experience it before menopause.
Simona Pilolla / EyeEm / Getty Images
Simona Pilolla / EyeEm / Getty Images
Does Endometriosis Go Away After Menopause?
Endometriosis tissue responds to estrogen.
When estrogen levels drop after menopause, endometriosis often goes into remission.
Can You Develop Endometriosis After Menopause?
Existing endometriosis can persist past menopause.
In some cases, endometriosis can develop even several years after menopause.
Some theories as to why endometriosis could develop or recur after menopause include:
What Is Menopause?
A person is considered to be in menopause 12 months after their last menstrual period.
The approximately seven to 14 years before menopause is called the menopausal transition or perimenopause.
During perimenopause, the production of estrogen and progesterone (hormones made by the ovaries) can vary.
Perimenopause can causesymptoms such as:
The period after menopause is called postmenopause.
These may include:
What Other Conditions Could Be Causing Symptoms?
The symptoms of endometriosis can be similar to those of other conditions.
Lowered estrogen levels also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and bone disease.
MHT can help counteract these effects.
Talk to your healthcare provider about what you might do to help reduce yourrisk of postmenopausal endometriosis complications.
These treatments work by inducing menopause, so the symptoms that come with natural menopause can also occur.
MHT may help find a balance between the effects ofearly menopauseand the relief from endometriosis.
Can You Have Endometriosis After a Hysterectomy?
Endometriosis is usually diagnosed with laparoscopic surgery and biopsy.
Other imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI, may also be used.
Endometriosiscan also be treatedwith laparoscopic surgery.
If surgery is not an option, medications may be helpful.
Treatments that induce menopause can help manage endometriosis.
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