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Menopause (Expert Forum)
Spotting, sudden change in cycle at 35
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy, hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis, sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
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Spotting, sudden change in cycle at 35
by hoponpop, Sep 02, 2006 12:00AM
Well, my menstrual cycle has been completely consistent my whole life. But I turned 35 in March and all of a sudden, I have started having a problem: menstrual-type cramps a week after my period is over followed by a day of light spotting, each month. Also, I have felt somewhat warm while I am on my period and I can't tell if it's just the weather or not.
And now, it seems as if this month my period is a week early - however it is not starting with a normal flow but instead the kind of dark sticky discharge that usually happens on the last day of my periods.
So...I am quite concerned. Could this be early perimenopause? Early menopause does not run in my family (my mother who is 60 is experiencing menopause now)...but what else would cause these symptoms?
I've had pretty severe insomnia for a long time and since January had been drinking a lot of soy milk - I was wondering if soy milk might be effecting my hormones? Thank you very much. I have no children by the way.
And now, it seems as if this month my period is a week early - however it is not starting with a normal flow but instead the kind of dark sticky discharge that usually happens on the last day of my periods.
So...I am quite concerned. Could this be early perimenopause? Early menopause does not run in my family (my mother who is 60 is experiencing menopause now)...but what else would cause these symptoms?
I've had pretty severe insomnia for a long time and since January had been drinking a lot of soy milk - I was wondering if soy milk might be effecting my hormones? Thank you very much. I have no children by the way.
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Sep 04, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 04, 2006 12:00AM
A. It is difficult to say from history you provided if this is perimenopause but it could be that or several other things as well. Having a blood test for FSH can help because that hormone starts to go up as one approaches menopause. However, other conditions such as abnormal thyroid hormones (tested by checking the blood test TSH and T4), weight gain or loss, stress, excessive exercising or dietary changes are common other causes. Talk to your doctor about having these things evaluated.
Soy milk is overall a great beverage and should not affect your menstrual cycle. But it does contain week plant estrogens that are called phytoestrogens. Isoflavones are the phytoestrogens that are typically listed on soy milk products. Look at the box and see how many isoflavones are in each box of soy milk and try to limit your intake to less than 100 mg daily or ideally about 50 mg of isoflavones daily. Typically, a few glasses daily is a good amount to consume.
If you are planning to have children and that is possible for you to do at this time, it is a good idea to begin your family because after age 35 is can take a little longer to conceive.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
Soy milk is overall a great beverage and should not affect your menstrual cycle. But it does contain week plant estrogens that are called phytoestrogens. Isoflavones are the phytoestrogens that are typically listed on soy milk products. Look at the box and see how many isoflavones are in each box of soy milk and try to limit your intake to less than 100 mg daily or ideally about 50 mg of isoflavones daily. Typically, a few glasses daily is a good amount to consume.
If you are planning to have children and that is possible for you to do at this time, it is a good idea to begin your family because after age 35 is can take a little longer to conceive.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD
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