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| Doctor, am I experiencing Perimenopause? | ||
| Question: I
have been told that I seem to be experiencing symptoms of being
perimenopausal. I am the mother of three daughters, 15, 11 and 4
years old. I have never experienced any problems getting back on
track after birthing my children. My cycles were always
predictable and 28 days (like clock work). After having the last
baby, whom I might add was the only child I breastfed,
I began having cessation of my periods and heavy bleeding along with
some cramping, but none of these symptoms every occur together and are
different with each cycle. One other thing I have experienced in
the last four years, is during ovulation, I have such pain radiating
from my pelvic area. My question is could my breastfeeding my last
daughter have thrown my whole cycle out of whack like that or should I
be concerned with other issues? Or does this sound like real
perimenopause symptoms? Answer: Breastfeeding can cause amenorrhea during the months of breastfeeding or shortly thereafter. There is no effect later. With this pattern, I advice a visit to a gynecologic endocrinologist. The gynecologist has to screen the function of hypofyse and ovaries. Maybe it is premature ovarian failure, maybe it is a problem of the hypofyse like prolactinoma, maybe other causes. This a is a reason to come to a proper diagnosis. |
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| Question: I am a 43 year
old woman. My periods have been irregular for
the past few months and my doctor said I could be perimenopausal.
I have been taking my BBT for the past month, just because I thought
that might help me figure out what was happening with my body.
I noticed that my BBT is very low: 97.3 and down to 96.8. I
recently read information about the thyroid causing annovulation
problems. Should I check into this more or just accept that
I'm perimenopausal? Also I've been having lots of what I call
"ovulation type pains". It almost seems like my body
is trying to ovulate, but it can't. Is that possible?
Today my BBT was 97.7 and I just "felt physically better"
than I have been feeling. I would appreciate any advice or
insight that you could give me.
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| Question: For the last two years, my period has become quite heavy during the
second and third day. I started when I was 11 and have always gone
only
5 days. I had never had pms
symptoms until the last 2 years. Some months my breasts will ache
for
1-2 weeks before my period and for the last 5 months, I get a really
bad
headache on day 2 and sometimes carrying into day 3. I have to use
both
pads and tampons and change them every two hours during these days. I have had no interest in sex for the last few months
following a
definite decline in interest over the last year or so. For the last
3-4
months I have irritating vaginal dryness until just the week before
my
period, then as soon as my period is over it starts again.
I have also noticed over the last 2 years a definite increase in
hair
growth. I have dark hair so I know it is normal for dark haired
women to
have more hair on legs and arms than lighter haired women. But I now
grow hair from my navel right into the rest of it, I grow hair on my
breasts and chest, I also grow hair on my chin and neck. For the
last
couple of years I have had problems with really itchy skin, on my
arms
and legs mostly. I don't have any real stress in my life. I
would
like to know if it is possible that I am perimenopausal and if not
then
what is going on and what can I do about it. These symptoms are
starting
to get really irritating. Thanks for your help. Answer: From all your details I pick up the growth of hair. This is probably not normal and deserves attention. This is hirsutism. Androgen levels must be checked, because abnormal androgen production from adrenal or ovarian source have important consequences. Please check-out the OBGYN.net PCOS Section for more information about your question. |
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| Question:
I am trying to find out
information on some of the symptoms of perimenopause for my
mother who is turning 44 this year. Last night she had some sort
of attack and we are not sure what it was. She was fine one
minute and the next she was dizzy and then became nauseated. Then she
became disoriented and doesn't remember about 10 minutes of the night
and she was extremely pale. After sitting for a bit she said in
one word at a time she was hot we put the air conditioner on for a few
minutes then she was really cold and took about an hour and a half to
get warm again. This last for about 30-45 minutes and
when she was more coherent she said she felt drained of her energy.
Answer: Attacks are not perimenopausal symptoms and should be diagnosed properly. Consult your doctor. |
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| Question:
I am 38 years old and have very
regular periods. I have been under the care of a fertility
doctor and have had 3 FSH hormone tests. They have all been
normal except the last one. My doctor said that it was 18 and
that I am perimenopausal. He is suggesting egg donation
at this point even though I had a pregnancy in February of this year
which ended in miscarriage after 8 weeks. Should I give up
hope because my FSH was high or should I retest to see if it has
lowered?
Please check-out the OBGYN.net Infertility Section for more information about your question. |
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| Question:
I had my right ovary
removed at age 19 (14 years ago) because it and the tube had twisted
and blood flow had been cut off. I went on birth control pills
immediately after. Now 14 years later, it has happened again.
This time the ovary was viable. There were multiple larger than
normal cysts on one area of the left ovary which they removed during
the surgery leaving 1/2 - 2/3 of that ovary. I have now read
that there is a chance that the remaining ovary might shut down.
I have been feeling very light headed and have lost sexual desire.
The surgery was just three weeks ago. Am I just adjusting to the
lower level of hormones? Or could this be initial signs of early
menopause? Answer: This is not a sign of early menopause. It is the result of the surgical procedure and perhaps your anxiety about it. After surgery the body needs time to recover and that takes usually more than 3 weeks. Most times the remaining part of the ovary functions further without problem. But there is no way to test this while you are on contraceptive pills. |
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| Question:
I am 47 years old and my
periods are normal except for two times during the past year. I
suffer from night sweats and my emotional condition is upside down.
Could this be perimenopause or would I have to see a dramatic change in
periods? Answer: It can be perimenopause. Your age and the irregularity are pointing to that. |
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| Question:
In 1988 an ultrasound
found cysts on my right side. During this same period my menstrual
cycle ceased completely. I was tested for possible pregnancy and when
the results were negative , I was tested for possible perimenopause.
The results were positive, I still have not experienced any of the
symptoms related to perimenopause. Can a cysts stop a woman's menstrual cycle? Can a women conceive during perimenopause? If
so is this a dangerous time to have a baby? What are the
symptoms? What is the approximate age women begin to experience
the symptoms? Lately I have been experiencing pressure in the urethral
which results in frequent urination is this related to perimenopause? Answer: Cysts cannot stop the menstrual cycle. But cysts can occur during the phase that the hormonal balance is not adequate. The ovary reacts on high dose of FSH with growth of the follicle and when ovulation is impaired a cyst can follow. Usually it disappears spontaneously. When cysts persist, it depends of the size and aspect on sonography if it is necessary to do something. A single blood test for perimenopause does not predict the future. At least two tests two weeks apart are necessary with both high FSH and low estradiol. Pregnancy can occur during perimenopause and that is not dangerous for the baby. Some women will never experience symptoms of perimenopause. They are lucky, other symptoms are irregular or missing periods, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. |
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| Question:
I am 48 years old and for
the past several years I have been suffering from fatigue. In
tracking my symptoms it appears to occur most often in the beginning
of my cycle prior to ovulation. My symptoms are fatigue,
headaches, head and occasionally neck pressure, dizziness, stomach and
intestinal problems, eye fatigue and an overall sick feeling. My
doctor has run every kind of lab test, stress tests and respiratory
tests. I am taking synthroid even though my TSH and T4 are
normal. He has no answers for me. I was wondering if these
symptoms were related to perimenopause. My periods are very
regular however I do take prometrium after ovulation for heavy
bleeding. Answer: I can not relate your symptoms to perimenopause. |
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| Question: I am a 49 year old female, have been
experiencing some perimenopausal symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats,
low libido, and mood swings. Two years ago my periods became lighter
and irregular. FSH test levels were very low (1.9). Doctor prescribed
birth control pills (triphasal) which stopped the bleeding and have
stopped all the perimenopausal symptoms. Could I still be
perimenopausal with such low FSH levels? I should also mention that in
June I started a vigorous exercise and weight-lifting routine and
diet, which began with a two-day fast. Could exercise be
related? Answer: FSH can fluctuate in perimenopause. Also low levels are possible especially on a moment that estrogen levels are high as in persistent follicle. Heavy exercise can stop periods with low FSH. So it is possible that your life style caused the low FSH, but with persistent low FSH usually amenorrhea occurs. Of course you should tell your gynecologist about this episode, but there is no reason to consider serious disease. |
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| Question:
I am 48 and am not sure
if I should be talking to a OBGYN or a psychiatrist. My periods
are still normal, however I do wake up sporadically during the night
"burning up." What worries me more is my total lack of
concentration, complete confusion, irritability and loss of memory.
I had a short bout with depression approximately 1 year ago and my
doctor prescribed Zoloft. Are these symptoms of confusion,
irritability, memory loss side effects of Zoloft, signs of the onset
of menopause, or is a lack of vitamins. I read that a shortage
of vitamin B12 can also cause fatigue, irritability, and memory loss.
I also heard on a newscast that low progesterone can create similar
symptoms Do I need a doctor or psychiatrist? Answer: Zoloft is an antidepressive treatment. And all these medications can have a lot of side-effects. But at the same time the depression it self can also cause these symptoms. With a healthy diet there is no need for extra vitamins. And low progesterone levels do not give symptoms like this. Maybe it is perimenopause, but while on Zoloft, it is better to consult a psychiatrist first. |
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