When Menopause is medically induced by endometriosis treatment.

What It Means & Why It Happens
Medically induced menopause occurs when menopause is triggered not by age, but through medical intervention, such as surgery or hormonal treatments used to manage endometriosis.

In severe endometriosis, treatments like GnRH agonists (e.g., Lupron, Zoladex), GnRH antagonists (e.g., elagolix/Orilissa), or oophorectomy directly suppress ovarian estrogen production, effectively putting the body into a menopausal state (Endometriosis Network Canada, Wellness, Readers Digest, Oxford Academic, Banner Health).

Why It's Used for Endometriosis

Endometriosis lesions rely heavily on estrogen. Inducing a hypo-estrogenic state can shrink lesions, reduce inflammation, relieve pelvic pain, curtail heavy bleeding. and in many cases, delay more invasive surgeries (Oxford Academic, Wellness, Readers Digest, menopause.org.au).

What to Expect: The Side Effects of Sudden Menopause

Just like natural menopause, induced menopause can cause:

• Hot flushes

• Mood swings, irritability, sleep disturbances

• Vaginal dryness

• Low libido

• Bone density loss

Because hormone levels drop abruptly—skipping perimenopause—symptoms can hit harder and require attention (Oxford Academic, ScienceDirect, Verywell Health, menopause.org.au).

Managing Side Effects: Add-Back Therapy & MHT

Add-Back Therapy: Low-dose estrogen and/or progestogen can be added back to help counter hot flushes and protect bone health, while still controlling endometriosis (Wellness, Readers Digest, Oxford Academic).

Menopause Hormonal Therapy (MHT): Particularly in younger individuals experiencing induced menopause, MHT can be essential to safeguard against osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and distressing menopausal symptoms, provided there are no contraindications (menopausecare.co.uk, Verywell Health, MDPI).

There are some concerns: potential reactivation of residual lesions or rare malignant transformation of endometriotic tissue with estrogen exposure—so MHT must be carefully tailored and closely monitored (Oxford Academic, Verywell Health).

Important Considerations & Long-Term Health

Early / Surgical Menopause Risks
Research from the University of Queensland indicates that women with endometriosis are seven times more likely to undergo surgical menopause, which typically occurs about 19 months earlier, and their natural menopause may arrive 5 months sooner than average. They’re also at higher risk of premature menopause before 40 (The Guardian, Courier Mail).

Long-Term Health Follow-Up
Early menopause increases the risk of chronic conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular issues. Regular check-ups, bone density scans, and preventive health strategies are essential (The Guardian, Courier Mail).

Shared Decision-Making
Clinical guidelines emphasise patient involvement in deciding treatment paths. The balance between managing endometriosis and long-term health (e.g., bone and heart health) must guide choices (MDPI, The Guardian).

Endometriosis Beyond Menopause

Though symptoms often improve after menopause, endometriosis can persist or even develop after menopause. MHT may risk recurrence, and there’s a rare cancer risk in postmenopausal endometriosis. Treatment plans must be cautious and personalised (Verywell Health, MDPI, ScienceDirect).

Your Support & What You Can Do Now

If you're navigating endometriosis and considering (or already facing) medically induced menopause:

Reach Out: You're not alone, support is available.
Connect with Specialists: Talk openly with your gynecologist, endocrinologist, or menopause specialist about add-back therapy or MHT tailored to your needs.
Prioritise Your Health: Request bone density scans, heart-health monitoring, and preventative care plans.
Seek Emotional & Peer Support: Engage with endometriosis support groups and menopause networks, online or locally—they offer solidarity and great insight.
Empower Your Choices: Ask questions (like “Will this be temporary or permanent?” or “What can we do to protect my bones?”) (Jean Hailes) and stay involved in your health decisions.

In Summary

Medically induced menopause is a powerful tool for managing endometriosis, often providing much-needed relief when other treatments fall short. However, it's not just about rapid symptom control, it requires thoughtful management of menopause symptoms, consideration of long-term health, and emotional support. Monitoring, personalised hormonal strategies, shared decision-making, and supportive communities are key to navigating this transition with resilience and confidence.