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Maternal (Expert Forum)
Polycystic ovaries or perimenopause????
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Polycystic ovaries or perimenopause????
by Vanesa__0, Nov 17, 1998 12:00AM
I am a 26 yr. old women who has not had a period in over 3 mos. After a series of tests, my doctor says that I am not ovualting (or have not within 10 days of the test), my estrogen level is so high it's suppressing the follicle stimulating hormone (?) and that my progesterone level is that of a pre-menopausal women. I have just started a regimine of Provera (5mg x 10 days). After that, she'd like me to start on a low estrogen birth control pill (Orthocept?).
Questions:
1. Is this an indication polyscystic ovaries? (I am losing hair and have gained 25 lbs in the last 4 months, but my male hormones are WNL)
2. Am I pre or perimenopausal (?)
3. Will I have to continue taking Provera to get a period? (My husband and I am not that interested in having children.)
4. After 10 days, should I expect a really heavy period?
5. Why do I continue to feel that twisting pain I used to get when I ovualted? I continue to get the egg white discharge also, which puzzles me. I thought for sure I'd have a period by now!
I am overweight, but my doctor doesn't feel I am significantly so. I have always had periods here and there, but the longest I've been without one has been 52 days, and more recently 90 days.
Any suggestions??
Thanks.
Dear Vanessa:
Chronic anovulation gives a woman irregular menstrual cycles, often with long episodes between bleeds. Causes for anovulation include weight (above 200 or below 100 pounds for average body frame), serious exercise programs, thryoid, prolactin, and androgen disorders, and chronic illness (such as bowel problems, infections).
Polycystic ovary syndrome is one example of an androgen disorder. Its symptoms include acne, increased hair growth, increased weight, infertility.
Although anovulation is more common as a woman approaches menopause, there is no relationship between chronic anovulation and menopause.
Provera interrupts the constant estrogen production, changes the lining of the uterus, and causes a shedding of the lining (bleeding). The amount of bleeding varies with the amount of lining that needs to be shed: the bleeding can be lighter, same, or heavier than a menstrual period.
Ovarian discomfort is due to stretching of the ovary by the growth of follicles (egg units). This growth occurs whether one ovulates or not.
Egg white cervical mucus is caused by estrogen stimulation.
Keywords: chronic anovulation
this informatin is provided for education purpsoes and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.
/vanessa
