effects of narcotics on hormones

Hi. I no longer have a doctor of my own to pose this question to, so I'm hoping you can help. About 4 years ago, I stumbled onto the
rocky road of narcotic use, abuse, etc. A doctor freely gave me higher and higher doses for a back injury, and after 2 years, I was taking over 300 mg. of morphine a day.
He then cut me off cold turkey. Since then, I have relapsed more than I haven't, but for the last 2 weeks, I have been clean and intend to stay that way. Shortly after I began heavy narcotic use, my periods stopped, I had blood tests and was told I was well into memopause. I was just 40 at the time. I have been on hormone replacement therapy ever since and had one ovary with
endometrial growth and tube removed. My doctor recently fired me because I cancelled my appointment to have a full hysterectomy for the second time. I had my reasons, but one of them has never left my mind. Could I have actually gone into false menopause because of the narcotic use? I ask this because this time, like the other times I have stopped, despite the fact I take hormones, I have had every PMS symptom I had when I was younger including pimples, sweats,
water retention, etc., and then I have bled.
No time, while on the pain pills did I ever bleed. If this is possible, should I actually
be taking HRT at all? I don't like the idea, as my mother had estrogen positive breast cancer, but right after they took my ovary out, the hot flashes and mood swings were so bad that I begged for the HRT. However, I was
taking narcotics that whole time. If I didn't ramble too much to lose you, I would
really appreciate your professional opinion about this. The hormones I take are estotest
and prometrium. Oh, I also have a history of
depression, and I would like your opinion about HRT's influence on it.
Thank you,
Alison Carter

[IrishRose]

Hi Alison, you probably noticed when you logged on that this forum is no longer moderated or questions answered by an MD, it was at one time- minimally, I might add, so this is now a patient to patient forum. So unless there are any M.D.'s lurking about you likely won't get that kind of answer or help. But there are a bunch of us addicts, many from medical backgrounds that may have had some similar experiences. But I do want to extend a welcome to you to this forum. I am 41 and have been clean for  awhile and have been going through this perimenopause **** for a couple of years now. First, I think a second opinion by a more compassionate GYN doc would be in order and possibly a consult by an endocrinologist. Addiction may indeed be contributing to your symptoms but there could be more going on. I have heard of similar symptoms from other women who are using and or trying to clean up. Both using and withdrawing place a tremendous amount of stress on your body so it could be all in line with that but to be sure, please get a second opinion. Sounds like the doc who fired you was frustrated with your decison not to have a hyster, I'm always wary of cutters anyway. Did he/she offer you any alternatives to treatment prior to insisting you have a hyster? Also if you are a reader, check out some books by Dr. Christiane Northrup, I don't recall if she addresses addiction specifically in her books but she has a lot to say about hysters, hormone therapy, etc.
   Again, welcome, most of us on this forum are either struggling with addiction ourselves or the effects of a loved one's addiction. You are among friends.

[Elleah]

When first on pain meds (Vicoden ES), about 28 years old, I continued monthly periods. HOWEVER, when I switched to OxyContin at 33 (four years now) I've average a period only 2-3 times a year. And what doozies they are, very heavy. My doctor tried putting me on "the pill" (different varieties) to regulate, but I couldn't tolerate them. Just wanted you to hear from someone with the same type of concern. Perhaps its temporary period-pause and will resume if the meds are alleviated. My best to you under a terrifying situation. If your gut instinct told you not to undergo the surgery, you are probably on. In any case, I hope you find someone to truly help you on that front.

[alexandra_r]

I am no doctor, but I can answer you from my own experience.  I was a heroin addict for about 6 years over ten years ago.  During my time of using, I started having very irregular periods--and then I started missing them altogether some months.  I know that it was the opiate use that altered my periods because when I got cleaned up, my periods started right away after that and were normal up until 16 months ago when I injured my back and began taking vicodin to control the pain.  Again, my periods became irregular.  I am a little young to go through menopause(like you)--I am only 39; however, this is what is interesting--many of the women I knew who used heroin years ago (and who are now clean) are going through menopause in the early forties and even their late 30's.  I don't know if this can be an effect of opiate use, but it seems likely, given the circumstances of every single one of these women.  Come to think of it--every single woman I know who used opiates for any length of time is experiencing early menopause.  Sounds like grounds for a research study (although there most likely is one out there).  This has me so intrigued that I will look into it.  I am a researcher by profession (sociologist), but I have access to lots of databases through the university where I work.  I will let you know what I find out, if anything.