Hi - well I finally decided to go to a gynecologist in reference to some of the symptoms I was/am having. She ordered a full thyroid panel along with prolactin and hormones and also wants me to get a transvaginal ultrasound to look at my ovaries and such. I must say that I do not like going to doctors and telling them the things I have been experiencing because then they want me to get all these other tests!!!! She mentioned thyroid functions - of course - but she also mentioned possible pituary gland problem or ovarian cysts. I didn't realize that ovarian cysts could cause hotflashes and missed period or period changes. Has anyone else heard of this or experienced this? I am again unsure of myself as my symptoms all seemed to point to peri - but now...... Anyway - if anyone has any feedback I'd love to hear about your experiences with this!
By the way - I am 38 years old. Thanks!

Hi Cinmax, yes, ovary changes can cause a myriad of symptoms. You are smart to have the
tests done ~ if for nothing else? A piece of mind! Lord knows that is good for ALL of us
menopause worry warts! lol! I was your age when this all started for me, and I had test after
test done, and they ALL came back negative. I finally decided myself that it was peri menopause.
The doctors told me I was CRAZY, and I was TOO YOUNG! But that wasn't true. Let us know how your
tests come out! And good luck!
Hugs!

Most of us have been from doctor to doctor> you feel so bad it's hard to believe something serious could not be wrong. I would say have all your tests done. It sure is peace of mind when they come back normal. But after awhile you have to draw a line and say I'm ok this is just peri-meno. My counselor told since going from specialist to specialist was causing me a lot of stress, her advice >>to just stop going. See my family doctor and gyno and take a break. So I am!

I had an cyst on my ovary and it did cause my period to do strange things. So, yes, ovary changes can cause some symptoms.

Mopsy

thanks for responding - I'm curious Mopsy - did the cyst also cause other peri symptoms like hotflashes, nightsweats as such. I know I will feel better when I get these done - it's hard not knowing for sure.

Cinmax,
I hope everything comes out great with your tests, but like the other girls, I recommend keeping track of your own body, its aches and pains and ups and downs. We tend to know ourselves best, and the text book does not always have the right answer (and as we have found, women in their 30's are going through natural meno! )


Definitely have the tests done for peace of mind, but...
If your doc is not clicking onto the possibility of peri, maybe you could do millions of women a favour by asking (many times) if it could be a possibility. Put the bug in his/her head. Maybe we can get the word out that you don't have to be 50+ to be elligible for the club!

When I went to this new gyn who was recommended by a friend - I stated my reason for coming was possible perimenopausal symptoms and when I left the office that was at the bottom of the list of possible problems. She kept referring to possible premature menopause which, of course, makes me feel like it's a disease or something that shouldn't happen!!!! I asked her why she kept saying that instead of peri and she said peri lasts 5 years and I would be done by 43 - which is premature! Really?!? I'm glad I have this website to come to as it keeps me from getting all turned around by the medical profession. And you bet I'll keep bringing it up to the docs - of course - late at night I'm still plagued by the thought that it could be something else and I'm actually dying.

Here is my 2 cents worth on this but it's only my opinion. Doctors like to cover their butts legally and I think they overprescribe tests, some of which are very invasive and painful. I know several instances where one particular gyn group made every woman who had an irregular period (during the peri years) get a biopsy done. I think it was their particular protocol for that office and they made money on the testing.

I would actually like my gyn to order hormone testing on me since I want to know if I am deficient or maxed out on estrogen, etc. I would have to ask my gyn for it though.

My peri has lasted at least 5 years now and believe me, I have a few to go I think. I always thought 10 years was possible. I know of at least a few women who went into peri in their late 30s.

I think you have to decide what works for you regarding testing and how far you are willing to go with it. Your tests don't seem terribly invasive or painful so I would probably have them done. I do think your gyn sounds a bit uneducated about peri though. I'd probably switch MDs.

Quite frankly - I'm sick of all these tests wanting to be done. It's as if they want to find something "wrong"-
can you blame them? It's how the medical pros makes their money. I go to an endo this Mon. and I know she's going to want a baterry of tests done- ultimatley it's my decision. I get so frustrated with mainstream medicine- We need some validation- "yes, dear it's just your hormones wreaking havoc!"

fina

It's so difficult to find the right balance, I think!

I had a GP who didn't seem to take my symptoms very seriously and would say "It's probably just hormonal." That seemed reassuring in some ways, but when things got worse and I went back to her demanding some solutions, she was still talking about it probably just being perimenopause, but she finally requested an ultrasound. Of course, I had a sizeable fibroid and my blood counts were down, leaving me anaemic.

Then the bleeding became insanely heavy and it was weeks before I could get in to a gyno. I was actually glad that he did an endometrial biopsy because it gave another dimension to the overall test results. He could very quickly rule out certain cancers.

But sometimes, yes, it seems we are overtested.

On the other hand - some people do get these diseases and it's better to know about them than to continue suffering and possibly get worse.

cinmax, I have dealt with pituitary problems for over 20 years and if you have questions about testing, I'd be happy to answer what I can and/or commisurate.

cinmax just wanted to jump in here and say that ovarian cysts can absolutely cause your periods to stop or become very irregular. My 15 year old daughter was just this week dx with PCOS. The only symptom at this time for her was that she stopped getting her period. Not sure if they could cause other meno symtoms but I agree with MaryO...best to rule out other things first before just blaming peri. Good luck with your testing and let us know how things go.

Cathy

sorry it took so long to respond - I live in Saratoga, New York and we had no power for 3 days because of a wind storm! Thanks for all your support! I am definitely getting the tests as I don't want to wonder if it is something else. I just don't like dealing with doctors and strange medical personnel poking and prodding around!

Mary O - I hadn't even thought of the pituary issue until the gyn brought it up. Can you tell me a little about the symptoms and such? I always feel better when I'm aware of what the possibilities are.

I have also wondered about the PCOS.....Guess the doc will let me know!

Thanks again everyone - it really helps to be able to talk with you all about it

Cysts can cause extra bleeding and pain, they are from too much estrogen in the body as opposed to progesterone! Too much estrogen in the body can cause all kiinds of things, inlcuding stroke and heart attack, that is why it is so important to get our hormones balanced. Progesterone cream, Pure Essence or a pharaceutical grade, has helped decrease mine and stop the pain and slow down the bleeding somewhat. Exercise helps too...