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Rachel Charlton-Dailey is a journalist specializing in chronic conditions and disability.
Charlton-Dailey often uses her platform to spotlight issues that affect disabled people, as well as reproductive health issues.
Here, she shares her first-hand experience with medically-induced menopause.
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I decided I was ready for a hysterectomybut I was only 28.
My doctors decided my best bet was something called chemical menopause, also referred to as medically induced menopause.
This phenomenon is also referred to as medically-induced menopause.
Surgical removal would involve a hysterectomy (uterus removal) with a bilateral oophorectomy (ovary removal).
Over the next few days, the nausea settled, but in its place came symptoms of menopause.
I experienced incredible mood swings that would flip at the drop of a hat.
The biggest thing I noticed was my cravings.
I would have classed myself as someone who liked cheese a normal amount, but cheese became a full-blownobsession.
I could not get enough of cheese.
As the menopause kicked in, I noticed my body changing.
My breasts shrank, but they were tender.
My doctor told me it was all from a lack of estrogen.
It was a shock to me and didn’t help my already struggling body image.
I had cramps, mood swings, and hot flashes simultaneously.
It was a super confusing time.
“As the menopause kicked in, I noticed my body changing.
My breasts shrank, but they were tender.
My doctor told me it was all from a lack of estrogen.
It was a shock to me and didn’t help my already struggling body image.”
During those days, I’d have to adjust my routine.
It was also a ridiculous time to start a relationship with my now-husband.
This same pattern continued for the duration of my time on Zoladex.
But overall, it helped my pain.
After four months, I was cut offand the withdrawal was tough.
My body was flooded with hormones.
As a result, I spent days crying in bed.
I had the heaviest period Id ever experienced, which left me screaming in pain on the bathroom floor.
Ultimately, this meant my body was better off without a period.
Satisfied with how my body had reacted to Zoladex, my gynecologist allowed me to get a hysterectomy.
By April 2016, I was finally rid of my uterus.
But the doctor was hesitant to also remove my ovaries because of my young age.
I attributed this to the fact that I was still ovulating since the doctor hand’t removed my ovaries.
My doctor prescribed theDepo-Proverabirth control shot, which had worked for me in the past.
But I had a bad reaction to this time.
I experienced constant cramps and couldnt sleep, I also felt increasingly depressed.
After a discussion with my gynecologist, we agreed to try Zoladex again.
My second round of Zoladex lasted four years instead of four months.
What this meant, thought, was that my body became heavily reliant on it.
Still, I didn’t not have complete relief.
In September 2020, I was finally granted an oophorectomy during a telephone appointment.
By February 2021, I had my ovaries removed.
Its not so different from what Ive already been through; it’s just a lot more intense.
In a strange way, Im thankful to the chemical menopause for preparing me for menopause.
My body is more resilient than I ever thought it could be.
Zoladex 3.6 mg prescribing information.
2020;17(1):31-39. doi.
