Early Menopause

Dear V.,

I had both of my ovaries removed at the age of 36 due to ovarian cancer and went into abrupt menapause as a result. Like you, I also had all the symptoms. My oncologist prescriped Estrogel, which is a topical gel I just rub into my arm once a day, and it works wonders! The hotflashes and night sweats go away instantly. One thing you really need to watch out for with early menapause is your bone density. I see an endocrinologist (sp?) since osteoparosis runs in my family, and risk increases for any woman in manapause. It is really important right now that you get as much calcium as possible. I strongly recommend that you ask your doctor about his, and start taking calcium suppliments. My doctor told me to take 1500 mg a day, which is 3 tablets. Take them throughout the day though, or otherwise the body won't be able to obsorb it all. I take them in the morning, at noon, and before I go to bed.

I completely understand your feelings of anger and and sadness. My best friend also went through early menapause in her late 20's, and she's doing great now. On the bright side I don't miss my periods one bit! Also, your getting this over with early; all woman will eventually go through it, and when your friends are complaining of hot flashes etc.. we get to say that we got that over with years ago! Hang in there, your not alone!

J.

2 moms found this helpful

V. - I completely sympathize! I am also going thru this but I am 10 years older than you. However, I have a six year old so I know what it is like to have one foot in "menopause land" and one in little kid world. One thing's for sure: you need your sleep and your sanity! Read the Wisdom of Menopause and talk to your doctor about solutions...don't give up.

If you have been in good health up until now this is probably a shock to you....the idea that your body has "let you down" and is unpredictable. This is a hard concept to adjust to. But I urge you to look at the other viewpoint: eventually most people have health problems due to various factors, aging being just one. This is a problem that you can live with - you just have to put some effort into getting the right care. Many people are going along happily and then get some kind of devastating diagnosis.........

I don't want to be preachy or minimize your distress. Be proactive about your treatment and enjoy your family! Good luck.

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For many months, my sister went though terrible fatigue. She was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and other stuff as I was about to give birth to my first born. She was about your age and couldn't understand the "low grade fevers" that would come on abruptly. She was shocked to learn, months later, that she was really post-menopausal. I probably wasn't as compassionate as I should have been because I was knee-deep in being a new mom. It struck me, months later, how she must have felt, having been dealt those cards as a younger person. Also knowing that she probably would never have any children and knowing that was a possible desire was terribly sad. Going through this period in her life, hit her hard, both physically and emotionally.

Once the physical side of her concerns were addressed, (not quite sure the medicinal route that she took but, shortly after being diagnosed, I know that she began to feel better), her whole general health and demeanor changed. She moved on, she found a new job and had more energy. That was 14 years ago.

You have such a good attitude. Your life sounds picture perfect and it's great that you understand that this isn't a death sentence but a different season in your life. It seems that you have made the commitment to not have any more children so "feeling better" is your immediate goal. Address your emotions. It is sad and I understand that "anger part" when my body, personally responds differently than I expect. It's crappy, crappy, crappy! It's good that you are open about this and that you talk to others. You have some good advise and hopefully, others will give you direction about methods of treatment.

I am so sorry this is happening to you. Hopefully it won't be too long to come to grips with this. Don't pull away from your family and friends - you need them and they really need you.

"Life is good" is my motto, too.

1 mom found this helpful

We all have to go through it but we certainly don't have to suffer through it. I have information on natural progesterone cream. You are smart to look at all your options. Dr. John Lee wrote some great books that you may want to read "What your doctor may not tell you about Menopause". He was a pioneer in this area and his research still continues. What you want is bio-identical progesterone. Your body won't reject it and it is not synthetic. Plus, taking good vitamins and getting some exercise, at least walking daily, would help too. I can provide you more information if you would like. Just give me your email address. Natural progesterone has been around for a long time. Many doctors just aren't schooled in it as it is not a drug. Again, kudos to you for doing your homework first! You will make it through!

Yours in health,

K.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi V.

While it has not yet happened to me, all of the women in my family have gone through very early menopause. I am now 31 and I feel like I have a huge ticking timebomb hanging over my head. I know that my mom and her sisters have all done hormone replacement therapy. My mom is almost 60 and she is still taking her hormones. She has discussed it with her gyn and is planning on continuing them for several more years. You need to talk to your doctor about all the risk factors and see how they apply to you. We do not have any history of women's cancers in our family (a risk of HRT) but we do have heart disease in our family and this is something HRT has been shown to improve. Take a deep breathe, research everything you can find and make the best decision you can make. Then let the rest of us know how its going because I know it will be me sooner than I would like! Hang in there!

I have started to have more than a few symptoms of perimenopause at 38. I'm not usually a fan, but Oprah has covered a lot of ground on this topic and I will say her website and the links provided there have been helpful.

I worked with my obgyn who sent me to a compounding pharmacy in Roselle (Mark Drug) and he has been wonderful. Using a Bioidentical HRT creme has really helped alleviate some of the symptoms.

good luck!

Hi V.,

You are not alone...my cousin went through menopause at age 30, which was sad bacause she never got to have children. My great-grandmother too went through this at 30, but by then she already had 14 children. You might want to see your gynocologist. My mother went through menopause at 60 and he gave her hormone treatments. It depends on the individual, your doctor might have suggestions what is best for you.

I feel for you...I am 48 tho and going through it now.
A friend of mine told me about a herbal supplement *Remifemin*. It is OTC.
I am not much on taking any kind of pills, but it has helped with the sweats and hot flashes. I still have my cycle (very un-regular now, use to be 28 exactly).
Good luck to you.

V., first you should try to breathe. Now that you know what it is you can handle it. My sister went through early like you. She didn't and neither has any of us, my mother and older sister taken any perscription medicine. She did take something over the counter. We called it the little brown pill. Of which I will be honest she needed because her testosterone was kicking up. I started in my early 40s and only took asprin as my mother did. Being a Christian helped me because I trust God would see me through. Keep a hand held fan by you and one that is controlled by remote during the times when you sleep. It is annoying at best. For me, hot and then cold, hot and cold. But again, knowing what is going on will help you cope. I would suggest you sit with your husband and perhaps view some material on the subject so he can fully understand what is occuring. The fact that your family is strong and things are good will help in the process. I won't lie to you, it is a lengthy process. There will be times when you won't go through the hot/cold cycle. You should also know that your period will return. I would also suggest getting yourself some B complex. They help with the sleep. It will get better...take care...V.

Have you been tested celiac disease? It is a classic symptom of celiac disease and a simple remedy of taking gluten out of your diet. If you decide to get tested, it is a blood test and an upper GI, you have to do both to get a correct diagnosis. Most often it is what we eat that effects our bodies and how early we go through this and that.

Good Luck, there are alternate solutions.

J. W. MPH
Maternal and Child Health Educator
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

V.. I feel for you. This is not as uncommon as people think. I own a day spa and we treat women with early menopause with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. It really helps. If you'd like more information about where we are, let me know. G.

Oh V. - my heart goes out to you. I was diagnosed with the exact same thing 5 years ago (at 38). I had my first child in July of 2003 and then a year later we decided to try for #2...I stopped breastfeeding in August of 2004 and when I did not get my period by October I called my OB/GYN and he said come in and he'd do a blood work up. A couple days later I got a call from my doctor and he was shocked to find I had the blood results of a 50 year old...as was I! I was in complete shock and truly devastated. I really wanted to give my daughter a sibling and we just always planned to have at least 2 children. This did not run in my family at all. My sister, 5 years older than me and at 43 was pg with #3!

Long story short I had been diagnosed with Postpartum Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's) shortly after my daughter was born. Hashimoto's is actually an Autoimmune disease and because the ovaries and thyroid are both in the endocrine system the belief is I actually have antithyroid antibodies not only attacking my thyroid but also my ovaries. So my official diagnosis is Premature Ovarian Failure.

I tried everything to kick them back in (I was in major denial) and did Chinese herbs and acupuncture for quit a while. I went through 6 Reproductive Endocrinologist and the bottom line with all was the use of Donor Eggs. I was not ready for that mentally and came home and threw out the packet of information each time! After almost 2 years of that I realized I was making everyone around me and myself crazy. I realized I was truly blessed to have been able to have my daughter and needed to appreciate her and my family.

About 5 months later my husband brought up the subject of Donor Egg and, I think because mentally I was in such a better place I was really open to it.

We now have 21 month old twins...along with our 6 year old!

I initially did go on the Vivelle Dot which I did like although the areas the patches were in did begin to itch after awhile. I honestly don't know REALLY what caused this, but since then we only drink hormone free milk, we buy organic so there aren't any hormones in our meat, cheese, etc. You hear so much about how all of that is effecting so many people's fertility and that also what is contributing to the high rate of infertility these days. I'm worried about this happening to our daughter so I'm trying to be as preventative as possible.

We actually use ALL non-toxic and chemical free products in our household too since some of the chemicals found in your household cleaners and even make-up can cause fertility issues. (If you want to find out more about where I shop - contact me)

I just stopped BF'ing the twins about 6 months ago so I do need to go back to the doctor, I'm honestly not sure I'll go back on HRT. I am taking natural supplements also through the same company I get all my natural products for my home and personal care use...which I am partnered with.

Have you ever had your Thyroid checked??

It truly does take time to heal mentally, especially when it comes as such a shock. It was such a difficult time for me and I did go through all the same emotions you are going through.

I am so sorry this is happening to you - I can certainly empathize with you. All I can say is give yourself time to digest all this and don't be too hard on yourself. It truly is a huge adjustment mentally...

J.

Mom to Megan (6), Anna (21 months) and Ethan (21 months)
http://www.yourgogreenteam.com

Remind yourself everyday that you are beautiful, Dress and look the part.......
Eliminate certain foods from your diet....certain foods that you eat or beverages that you drink will let you know your body is not handling them well. take vitamins and most of all find time for you to relax, your rest is essential.

I've been going through the same thing lately and I have an appointment coming up to see my doctor. Unfortunately, it does run in my family.

I just had a baby but have been going through these symptoms since before I got pregnant.

I'm not even sure what to say except I wish you well.

I just went through an unnatural menopause at 45 because of a needed hysterectomy. I am on the vivelle estrogen patch and it is wonderful. I also use a little progesterone cream at night to help me sleep. I feel really good and do not miss my periods at all! This is a new phase of your life with more freedom and energy because you do not have to worry about those cycles anymore! The book "the Wisdom of Menopause" is terrific. I highly recommend it.

You are young, so estrogen would be a replacement, not an extension, and would be beneficial for you. The patches are the best most natural way to get it and will get rid of those nasty hot flashes. They have less hormones than birth contol pills. They come in different strengths and you can lower the dosage as you get older and wean yourself off.

Take your time, do some research and reading, find a good doctor. There really is life after menopause!

Hi V. - the average age for menopause is 52. The definition is the cessation of your period for one full year. Perimenopause can occur up to 10 years before, and included many of the signs and symptoms you mention (and some which continue after the official menopause date. People have different severities of symptoms and choosing to do hormones is really based on your quality of life and how distressing the symptoms are. Lack of sleep, depression, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and the like can be very distressing. The research done on HRT was not very good - the audience primarily was people who had poor health to begin with. In reality, many scientific, valid studies have found many benefits to HRT the first 10 years after menopause. After that time, we don't know for sure if they're good or bad. Women lose about 20% of their bone mass the first few years after menopause (I can't remember the exact figure but I'm sure I'm close). Taking hormones goes a long way to preventing that bone loss. I urge you to talk to your doctor, or even get a second opinion. I agree with the bioidentical hormone replacement another person mentioned. A great book is called "The Wisdom of Menopause." If you would like the name of a doctor who can give you unbiased information on bioidenticals, feel free to e-mail me directly and I can share that with you. Many doctors don't use bioidenticals because there is not much research on them, but they make sense.

Good luck to you.

hang in there. I was 33 when first dignaosed with early menopause. One suggestion I do have even though my fsh was high too i started metformil or glucophage, it helped lower my insulin levels which gave my ovaries a jumpstart to help me ovulate and have some natural homones left in me. I used to night sweat and well not ovulate and I am not going to be 38 and it is still helpingme. I am starting to get the modd swings and a little nutty but we uped the metformin and i am doing a tad better. i will not take HR yet because I am like you wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too scared of the cancer etc side effects and it still made my mother nutty and crazy and unbalanced. many women go with out and it makes them more normal faster. please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions,
J.