WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for July, 2003: Re: 'normal' menopausal symptoms or cause for concern?

Re: 'normal' menopausal symptoms or cause for concern?

From: Pam (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 23 Jul 2003 09:58:57 -0500 (CDT)

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At Wed, 23 Jul 2003, Catherine wrote: >
>I am a 41yo white female who began menstruation at 11 and experienced
>normal periods into my 30's although I have always experienced severe
>menstral cramping. I've not used hormonal birth control since my 20s.
>
>At 18 during a serious illness (later diagnosed as Langerhan's Cell
>Histiocytosis, better known as Eosinophilic Granuloma limited to, but
>extensively affecting my lungs) I had a miscarriage and have had no
>other pregnancies.
>
>As I entered my 30s my periods suddenly changed coming occasionally as
>often as every two weeks but normally every 21 days. My former GYN told
>me that I wasn't ovulating but I shouldn't be concerned since because of
>my COPD and hypertension I could never consider carrying a child
>anyways. He had no idea as to the changes and since it was more an
>inconvience than anything I gradually accepted it as normal.
>
>Recently I experienced periods of intense hot flashes which I believed
>might be pre-menopause but later learned were linked to a since
>discontined medication...now I'm not so sure...
>
>...suddenly, my periods are arriving at the normal 28 day point for the
>first time in 10 years BUT they are quite long, start off mildly but end
>with heavy bleeding (for me) and significant cramping...as I type I am
>into my 7th day of this period and it feels exactly like the first day
>Used to, very uncomfortable.
>
>>clipped for space
>Am I being an alarmist...am I simply unfamilior with the 'normal' aging
>changes a woman of my age experiences? Should I take a deep breath and
>give this a few more months before running scared to a GYN?

Catherine,

I'm not a doctor, but hopefully one will come along to answer you. Fibroids often cause abnormal bleeding, but not cramps. Sometimes hormonal changes as we age cause more bleeding, and birth control pills are often prescribed for this (if you have fibroids, the pill won't help very much with the bleeding). If you haven't been to the doctor in awhile, I would suggest giving them a call. If you have an annual appointment coming up in a few months anyway, the doctor can judge whether this can wait until then. Sometimes the bleeding can go on for a very long time and you can become anemic.

Next message: Totally: "Abnormal Pap"
Previous message: Karen: "How to detect fibroid malignancy?"
In reply to: Catherine: "'normal' menopausal symptoms or cause for concern?"
Next in thread: Jessica Bardales MD: "Re: 'normal' menopausal symptoms or cause for concern?"

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