I was definitively diagnosed with endo at 27, but had symptoms for years prior. I am now 42. My doctor told me at the age of 27 he was not going to put me on Lupron, as the side effects could be horrific for a woman that age; my goal was not conception, but rather pain relief. He said if I could ride it out until I started showing menopausal symptoms, then we would go with the Lupron prior to hysterectomy.
The endoscopy done at that time bought me about 4 months of relief, then the symptoms started to slowly recur. With my having had a precocious puberty, it was a pretty sure bet I would go premenopausal in a few years.
Started at age 37; the endo pain has gotten so severe that it now keeps me up nights, mid-cycle (whenever that may be - my cycles have been doing their own thing now). I already have hot flashes, night sweats.
I was given the Lupron 2 weeks ago, in order to calm the inflamed lesions prior to my hysterectomy in a few months. They also plan on taking one ovary, and this will give my body an adjustment period prior to surgery (the hope is I can maintain my female hormone levels without redevelopment of full blown endo before I am naturally finished with menopause).
Headaches? Night sweats? Hot flashes? Insomnia? Had them before I started Lupron.
And in my case, I have lost 4 lbs in 2 weeks without really trying; except for the fact my craving for candy is diminished. I still eat some, but when I go to the store, I can pass the candy aisle without even having to browse, to see what's new. I just don't care anymore.