Hormonal Imbalance or Early Menopause?

After suffering a host of hormonally related problems for over a year, I went to a new doctor today and am finally getting my hormones tested. I'm 37 years old and am suffering from erratic periods. 32 days between periods last month, only 24 this month; cyclic depression; constant feeling of coldness; cyclic IBS; extreme fatigue--you name it; I have it (except for the notorious hot flashes ironically). In any event, I also have always had symptoms of PCOS (excess hair, cyclic acne, scalp hair thinning, but no excess weight or glucose problems). My period began on Sunday evening and I had blood drawn this afternoon. (I guess that would make today day 4-5 of my cycle? The doctor didn't seem to think that made too much difference.) In any event, I expect the testosterone level to be high, but what other irregularities should I be expecting? I had extremely regular periods up until I hit 31. Then they became a bit more frequent and lighter. Now they seem to be all over the place but I never miss one. Is this more likely indicative of PCOS, premature ovarian failure or normal for someone my age?

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

It is always difficult to guess what the diagnosis will be before the tests are back. The symptoms sound like polycystic ovary but they could also be a cyst on the ovary or adrenal gland among other things. These are more likely than premature menopause  and are not normal symptoms of most women  your age. You will likely know the answer in a week or two when the blood work is done. You might need further testing to look at the ovaries or adrenal glands after the blood work returns.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD