post menopausal at 28
Wed, 2010-06-09 08:15
Hi! I came across this site and it looked inviting and so I signed up. I have a major concern regarding my menstruation, I hope you can help me out on this. I started my period when i was 11 and has been regular until I was 18. From then on, I would have lapses on my period for a month until it progressed to 3 to 6 to no menstruation in a year and to nothing at all except only when i am taking diane 35 pills. I am 28 now and still single. Late last year I went to a gynecologist and had my fair share of tests and exams and found out I have hormonal imbalance. My lab results are actually ridiculously true and scary too and they are as follows: Estradiol, Serum-19 ; FSH-105 ; LH-32.8 all of which fall under the post menopausal range. The doctor told me there's nothing else I can do and that if I want to have my period I would be pill-dependent and that my chance of getting pregnant in the future would have to be close to zero. It is shocking and devastating to hear these words at 28. Please tell me what is your interpretation on this. Is there hope for me to be back to normal again? or atleast get pregnant? Sincerely, Luningning
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Hi Luningning
I really would need to have a formal consult to give you advice on your specific situation.
Based on your lab values, age and lack of menses you do have a fertility issue. In western medicine it is usually called premature ovarian failure (POF). Your doctor told there is nothing as you can do? There are still options such as donor egg cycles if you are open to this in the future. But I sense you are asking about what you can do to reverse POF. The good news in some women they spontaneously start to menstruate and go onto have babies. I imagine you are looking for steps you can take to reverse this now and not just by chance.
Since you are currently not in a relationship you have time to take proactive steps to regain your fertility. If you can seek out a Chinese medicine practitioner in your area (www.aborm.org) that can also order labs then there is a panel of other test they can look into as well, especially Thyroid and adrenals, as they have been linked to POF. You would want TSH, Free T3, Free T4 and TPO tested. Most MD's in Canada only test TSH and T4 in Canada. But if you are 28 with POF then it is worth testing the other two I listed as well. Then there is the Chinese diagnosis and both herbal and acupuncture treatment. Key is herbal treatment for POF. You really need to allow a minimum of 6 months of treatment. So be prepared for a process that may take close to one year but hopefully you notice significant improvements by 6 months.
You are 28 so you are lucky you are catching this early while you young are single. I cannot promise it can be corrected but there is hope and it has been done before. You are already being proactive by posting your question here so continue on and good luck.
Lorne Brown, B.Sc., CA, DR TCM, FABORM
Founder, Clinical Director
www.acubalance.ca
Hello - I am sorry to hear what you've gone through. Premature ovarian failure is such a harsh label and not always accurate. The new terminology is "Premature Ovarian Insufficiency." I think this is a better descriptor as many women with a high FSH like yours will have flucuating ovarian activity. Statistically 10% will resume menstruating for more than 6 months on their own, and 1-2% will conceive on their own.
I assume your physician has done testing to try to determine why you have POI. There are several different causes, though a definitive cause is only found (as of 2010) in about 2/3 of women.
If you do not conceive on your own, donor eggs is the best option. Donor egg cycles can be done in Canada with an egg donor you know, or in the USA (and other countries) with an anonymous donor.
I hope this is helpful. Good luck in your journey.
Kindly,
Dr. Beth Taylor
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility