Early menopause at 38....????

[Blessedmommy]

Missed periods, night sweats, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, blahs...... Visit to ob/gyn turned up a normal thyroid, but fsh hormone levels of 99.8 (menopause range is 23-116). I was shocked, I'm only 38. I have 3 beautiful daughters, so if I count my blessings, I can't be too upset by this, it just feels so ending to my womanhood. That probably sounds stupid. Also, I have heard nothing good about hrt and am not wanting to do hormone therapy this young anyway. Any other women out there suffering with early menopause and Crohns? How are you treating your symptoms? What is your doctor telling you about the Crohns connection to this?

 

[GutlessWonder86]

Hi Mommy,

I am 44 and am in full blown menopause. I am so HAPPY. No more hormonal Crohn's flares, no more ER visits due to partial bowel obstructions, no more cramps, no more heavy bleeding. To be in full menopause you have to have had no period for 1 full year per my Gyn.

I was told by my GI and Gyn that women who have IBD are prone to throwing clots when we flare due to inflammation that causes the blood to become "sticky" so hormones of any kind are to be avoided. I've thrown many clots over the years including a 12" clot on my brain that caused a stroke (age 37)and almost killed me. I've done tons of research on how dangerous hormones are including the patch, pill, IUD, etc. even the low dose is dangerous so it's best to find a good Gyn that is really familiar with IBD.

I was on Paxil years ago for severe PMS mood swings and still am. That helps me right now for my moodiness. For the insomnia, I take liquid Benedryl at times which helps, I wrap a towel around my head for the night sweats (don't have any right now), and I talk to my friends who've gone through it to get their views and how they've coped. feel free to PM if you have any questions.

I take it day by day......life's too short. Good luck to you.

 

[Blessedmommy]

Wow, thank you so much for all the info! I probably will be pm'ing you in the future. I go to my ob in August for my yearly and to talk more about the menopause, so I know I will have so many questions, and you have just given me so much more to think about. I was aware of the increased breast cancer risk with hrt, but totally unaware of the clot issue and ibd. Thanks for that heads up. Thanks again for your response, it was so helpful!

 

[Mountaingem]

Hi Blessedmommy, I had a hysterectomy at 32 and now at 39 I've been in early menopause for two years. Part of it is the Methotrexate, it seems to have shocked my ovaries and they don't want to work.

Of course, not having a period is the best.thing.ever! But I totally understand the sadness that comes with knowing that this is the next phase, so to speak.

Please get your regular checkups; the doctor put me on low dose birth control (can you say irony, to be on BCP after a hysterectomy??)which helped even out my moods.
The OB asked me if I was moody, I was like, I don't think so, ask my husband...but it really did help alot. Helps with the hot flashes and lack of sleep, too.

Hang in there, I know it's rough!