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| Doctor, am I experiencing Perimenopause? | ||
| Question:
I am 49 years old...when are these hot flashes going to stop? I
started having them at 46. I currently take a product called Hot Flash
(soy) it certainly reduces the number of hot flashes. With HRT I was
hot 24 hours a day. So...when? Answer: No one can tell you how long you have to go. Some women experience no hot flushes at all, and others have problems with it during more than 10 years. In about 25% it is at least 5 years. |
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| Question:
I had my lh/fsh levels checked. My lsh was 3.5 and my lh level was 2.
I am 53 years old and had a partial hysterectomy 12 years ago. Should
I worry that my levels are so low? I exercise regularly and eat a lot
of soy but shouldn't my levels be near post menopause numbers? Answer: Those levels indicate that you still have working ovaries. Be happy with that. Certainly no reason to worry about. |
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| Question:
When I am on regular doses 21-day pack of Orthocyclen, is it normal to
have breakthrough bleeding that starts 5 days before I usually start
that is very heavy and goes on for a week or so from missing only one
pill? Is it normal to have mood swings and depression that rival
that of my pre - pill phase and breast tenderness and swelling so
severe I can barely stand to wear a bra? Is it normal to have all
these signs and symptoms occur even though I am on the pill? My
energy is so zapped all the time and I am tired of feeling like this
to the point I am thinking about finding a Gyn that will give me a
hysterectomy. Answer: Many women experience an increase in blood loss during the years before menopause. With birth control pills these bleedings are seldom as heavy as you describe. It is a reason for further investigation. Fibroids are often seen with problems like that, or endometrial polyps. With vaginal ultrasound these conditions can be diagnosed.. Furthermore problems in clotting should be checked, and thyroid disturbances. If those tests are all normal, treatment with endometrial destruction can diminish the amount of bleeding enormously. The other symptoms direct to the premenstrual syndrome. These symptoms can not be cured by hysterectomy! Please check-out the article "Perimenopausal Bleeding - What's Normal?" by Paul D. Indman, MD |
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| Question:
I am 46, and this last period took 46 days to come. I have
always been 28 day cycle. It wouldn't stop, and I had a D&C
and hystop. test, which came back normal. It did show ovulation.
Now 11 days later , and after an internal which started the clotting,
I have been bleeding extremely heavy with large blood clotting.
Dr. put me on low dose bath control pills also. What is going on and
what should I do? Answer: Your doctor has done already the necessary investigations. Although ovulation is detected, probably it was not a proper one with an insufficient luteal phase. The story is that of perimenopausal dysovulatory bleedings. Low dose birth control pills are excellent to regulate that. Please check-out the article "Perimenopausal Bleeding - What's Normal?" by Paul D. Indman, MD |
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| Question:
My period hasn't come yet and my periods only last for 24 hours or 48
hours not very much blood at all when I do get it so I was wondering
if I could be having the change or not. My other symptoms are loss of
sexual desire, mood swings, and semi- hot flashes? Answer: I do not think that it is menopause. Menopause is extremely unlikely at the age of 30. Probably other ovulatory disturbance is the cause. Maybe pregnancy? Maybe polycystic ovaries? Maybe high prolactin levels? When a normal cycle does not return soon, consult your doctor. Please check-out the OBGYN.net PCOS Pavilion for more information about this question. |
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| Question:
I am a 43 yr. old female whose mother went through menopause at age
43, so naturally I'm worried that's what's happening to me. For
the past year now I've been awakened each night, several times, by night
sweats. I also have severe insomnia, depression, mood swings and
absolutely no interest in sex. My vaginal lining is extremely
dry so sex is very painful. I'm having sever memory loss and
hair loss. For the past 2-3 years, I've started having problems
with facial hair on my chin and on my upper lip and the hair even on
my arms is turning black even though it was blond. Now my
periods are now getting closer together as in 20 or 21 days and only
last maybe 3 days instead of 5. I'm on Synthroid 88 mcg's for
hypothyroidism since Oct. '96. I'm also very fit. The worst is
the horrible sweating, sometimes even during the day, and the constant
insomnia. I'm so tired of being tired! Do I need to have the
blood levels drawn and see if I'm perimenopausal or does sound
anything like it? Answer: Your history is a one of perimenopause. With birth control pills you can regulate your cycle and probably all other symptoms will disappear. Please check-out the OBGYN.net PCOS Pavilion for more information about this question. |
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| Question:
I am 46 years of age. I have been suffering for 9 months with
terrible anxiety since my cycle has become irregular. I have
been on HRT which makes the anxiety worse. I have terrible
tenderness in my breast. My medical doctor now has me on buspar
10mg, and atrivan 1 mg. Is there something I can do about the hot flashes
and night sweats and palpitations? Answer: Hot flashes and night sweats and palpitations can be part of anxiety problems. When HRT does not resolve the problems, you have to consult a psychiatrist for treatment of your anxiety attacks. |
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| Question:
I just turned 40. At 37 my fsh levels were 42 , 32 and 42.
Perimenopause was the diagnosis. I have been on lo/estrin for the last
year but I still get periodic hot flashes. My question is... For the
last 2 cycles I have not had a "flow" for a period just a
spot or two and also mild hot flashes but frequently. Is this the
best treatment for me? Am I further into menopause than peri. I am
also 50 pounds overweight but I don't smoke. My other question is
prior to starting the BCP I was put on progesterone for a chemical
d&c but it did not work -- no shedding at all. My last question
is... Can I get an accurate fsh reading being on BCP? Answer: Spotting or no bleeding at all with birth control pills is no problem. It is only a sign that the endometrial lining is hardly stimulated by the combination of hormones in your pill. This has nothing to do with the "stage of menopause". No withdrawal on progesterone = no shedding: that is because a shortage of estrogens and that fits very well with your high FSH level. With birth control pills FSH is decreased very much and no accurate reading can be done. A measurement after one week without pills (just before the start of a new package can give some information. |
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| Question:
If you could help me figure this out, I'd appreciate it. I
am a 45 yr old woman, 2 children ages 10 &15. For the past
year or so, I have been having problems with my memory. At first
everyone thought it was funny, because it seemed like silly little
things I'd forget. However lately, last few months, I've been
getting truly frightened, thinking it might be early Alzheimer's.
Could this be possible? I've been forgetting events, forgetting
things that were just told to me, and forgetting words really badly.
A friend thought it could be peri-menopause. Is this possible?
Is there any test for Alzheimer's or perimenopause? Answer: Loss of memory is not a perimenopausal symptom. Early Alzheimer is usually a genetic disorder: it runs in families. But you can consult a neurologist for further advice. |
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| Question:
My lovely wife is 40 years old. She had four children. She is
experiencing difficulty sleeping for longer than 2 to 3 hours at a
time even when she is exhausted. She hasn't been on birth control. She
has symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger and has fits of rage
directed at me. One day she is her normal regular sweet self and out
of nowhere she turns her anger on me as though I am the cause of her
unhappiness. She says that her problems are related to stress caused
by our jobs. Is this normal for a women in perimenopause? Answer: This is not perimenopause. Probably it has nothing to do with hormones. Symptoms of depression or stress are more likely. I think that you can better consult a psychologist with these problems than a gynecologist. |
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| Question:
I am 32 years old and had a hysterectomy. I have polycystic ovaries I
am taking progesterone 60mg and testosterone for my sex drive. I
am on Prozac 20mg. Should I still be taking the progesterone? My
brother-in law is a Oncology Gyn. and said to stop taking it because
of bone mass loss and when taking progesterone your ovaries do
not produce estrogen. Is this true and do you have any suggestions for
me? Answer: There is no reason to take progesterone for polycystic ovaries after hysterectomy. It is true that progesterone can interfere with estrogen production in the ovary, but usually not in the dose mentioned here. Bone loss is documented in some depot progestagens used for contraception. |
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| Question:
I am a 51 year old woman who has been on the patch, Climara 0.05mg/day
and Provera 10mgs, the first ten days of the month. I was
put on these medications about three years ago, for perimenopause
symptoms. I still have regular periods every month. Recently, I
had my 21 year old IUD surgically removed. I would like to know
if I can still get pregnant? Should I be practicing some type of Birth
Control? Answer: No one can tell you with certainty if pregnancy is still possible. But after the age of 50 and three years after the start of perimenopausal symptoms this is very unlikely and extremely rare. If even a very small risk is not acceptable to you, then you have to use contraceptive measures. |
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| Question:
Would you please give me a brief explanation of hyperplasia and some
possible treatments for it? Answer: Endometrial hyperplasia is a condition of the endometrium after unopposed estrogen stimulation. The proliferation (growth) of the endometrium is normally interrupted by progesterone. Without progesterone growth goes further and further and sooner or later there is not enough estrogen to maintain this stage and breakthrough bleeding occurs. A treatment of the condition is a course of progesterone or progestagens. The proliferated endometrium goes in secretion and after stopping the progesterone shedding occurs and the endometrium will disappear with withdrawal bleeding. For prevention of recurrence two possibilities exist: the use of birth control pills or the regular use of a progestagen course every month day 15-26 of every cycle. Atypical hyperplasia is quit another condition and is regarded as a premalignant stage. The treatment is usually hysterectomy. This is totally different from normal benign hyperplasia. |
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| Question:
My doctor has done two FSH tests this year. The first one in
January was a 12, the one last month was a 6. I am 46 years old.
I feel premenstrual most of the time in the last two months. My
checkups with my gynecologist are fine, so there is nothing wrong
female wise. My family physician started me on anti-depressants
and they are keeping me somewhat sane! But not alleviating many
of the symptoms. Is the FSH test reliable or does it vary from
day-to-day? Answer: The FSH test is reliable. It varies from day to day but within a certain range. With regular cycles and normal FSH you are still premenopausal. Your physician has taken the right decision in my view to start the antidepressant. But such a therapy takes time. |
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| Question:
I am 43 years old. I have never had children but 3 years ago I
attempted extensive infertility treatments. I had 3 IVF
treatments where I became pregnant twice with miscarriages.
Lately I have been suffering severe PMS (very new to me), my periods
are still regular but accompanied with severe bleeding and are shorter
3-5 days. The skin on my face is becoming red and patchy.
I drink 8-10 glasses of water daily. I eat and exercise regularly.
I have put on weight that I can't seem to get off even with regular
workouts. My PMS includes breast pain and swelling. My memory is
fading and my perfect eyesight is eroding daily. Also lately, I have
been experiencing daily nausea and fatigue. I am not taking any
medication but do take several vitamins e (1000),msm, cq10 (50), grape
seed extract(50), milk thistle w/ B multiple, selenium, ester c
(3000), pine bark extract and substitute milk with soy beverage daily.
I have no vaginal dryness or pain and my libido is very active. Are
these symptoms of perimenopause? Is there some kind of natural
supplement that I could take or should I start on hormonal treatments?
Do the creams work? The nausea bothers me the most? Is this a
symptom? Answer: Shortening of the menstrual cycle is a normal manifestation of early perimenopause. And PMS is often exaggerated during that time. But PMS is not cured with hormonal therapy. The problem is mainly with serotonine levels and serotonine reuptake inhibitors are the only treatment proven for at least part of the symptoms. Breast pain and swelling is sometimes lessened with local application of a progesterone cream. A diabetes test is also prudent. |
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