WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for January, 1999: Re: premature ovarian failure

Re: premature ovarian failure

From: Don Shuwarger, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 31 Jan 1999 11:15:30 -0600 (CST)

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At Sun, 31 Jan 1999, Melinda wrote: >
>Im 22 years old and never had a period on my own. I went to several
>doctors before they decided that I have ovarian failure. I have been
>told that I will never have children. Is there no treatment to help
>this?

Melinda,

Short answer...probably not.

>I have been told to take replacement hormones.... Theres the pills, the
>patch and the shot. With the patch I had a menistration cycle but not
>with the patch.

I don't understand what you are saying here.

>The problem has not only prevented me from having children but also
>seemed to stunt my puberty. I never really develped breasts like the
>other girls my age and I really don't know if I should even bother to
>try implants.

The answer to that question depends on your own body self-image and how you would feel about yourself if you had your present breasts or something different. Didn't your physician discuss ways that can be used to help develop your own natural breast tissue?

>Doctors tell me I have ovarian failure and thats it. I really need
>answers. What is it..How did I get it...Is there any treatment or
>cure... What medications choices are right what are there affects.
>Can't someone give me answers instead of talking over my head...

OK, Melinda, I get it...Now, let me try to answer your specific questions by making some general comments.

The term "ovarian failure" is reserved for those whose ovaries worked, but 0quit functioning before age 35. This does not seem to be you. You described the situation where you never had ovarian function and didn't have development of physical signs of estrogen production, ie. periods and breasts,...perhaps even a lack or sparsity of pubic and armpit hair. Perhaps you are somewhat shorter or taller than most of your other girlfriends.

Let's consider some of the possible scenarios: Remember how girls become girls and boys become boys? It has to do with whether an individual inherits two "X" chromosomes and becomes a girl, or inherits one "X" and one "Y" chromosome and becomes a boy.

When a girl is being formed in her mother's uterus, she develops ovaries. At puberty the ovaries begin producing estrogen, the primary female hormone. Sometimes, through accidents in development, the ovaries fail to form. Also, there are conditions where they seem to form but lack any eggs, which are necessary for estrogen production and fertility.

Sometimes there are problems with the sex chromosomes. A girl can sometimes inherit a "Y" chromosome, either in addition to her two "X"s, or in place of one of the "X" chromosome. In other words, she could have XXY or XY (!) and still be a girl. But, this person may not produce normal amounts of estrogen and may be sterile too.

Sometimes the girl inherits only one "X" chromosome with no other "X" or "Y" to go along with it. In other words, X __ . We refer to this as "XO".

Now, there is also the possibility that there is a problem with the pituitary gland that runs the ovaries This is much less common, but much more treatable.

Lastly, and this is important Melinda, if a person has inherited a "Y" chromosome, then her female sex organ, the ovary, is at significant risk for developing a certain type of tumor.

Clearly there is much you should know about your condition and the information that you want to get is very important.

I will be happy to consult with you (and your family, if you wish) privately and in person. I'm sure you understand that email/forums/internet is not the appropriate venue for the provision of personalized medical care and that the comments I have made above are general in nature and are not intended as medical care or advice.

Sincerely,

--
Don Shuwarger, M.D.
obdoc@inmind.com
Homepage: http://www.inmind.com/people/obdoc

Next message: Angie: "Chronic severe pre-ovulation pain"
Previous message: Kathy: "hair loss/pelvic pain/acne"
In reply to: Melinda: "premature ovarian failure"
Next in thread: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Re: premature ovarian failure"

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