WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 1997: Re: Ultra sound results

Re: Ultra sound results

From: D. Ashley Hill, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 15 Aug 1997 14:36:22 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: AnnaMarie: "Ultra sound results"

At Fri, 15 Aug 1997, AnnaMarie wrote: >
>Hi,

I am 50 years old, and have been in perimeno for at least 2 >years, I take no estrogen but I take natural progesterone. I have no
>hot flashes and the rest of the peri symptoms are controlled well, as
>long as I take the natual progesterone for 12 days a month.
"Oh, those follicles on your ovaries are >normal due to OVULATION

>I don't really believe that I still ovulate regularly. What are these
>follicles on my ovaries? If I still ovulate, why do I have peri-meno
>symptoms?

Any answer will have to be speculative, since it would involve looking at the ultrasound and reviewing your symptoms in more detail than is possible on the Internet. However, from a theoretic standpoint, it's absolutely possible to still ovulate when in the perimenopause. The perimenopause is a time when one is not completely in menopause, so it's possible the ovaries are still kicking out an egg once in a while, but estrogen production may be low enough that menopausal-type symptoms develop. That's why I usually use very low-dose birth control pills for my perimenopausal patients who are having symptoms but who are not "fully" into the menopause. After all, most women this age do *not* want to get pregnant!

Further, if you are getting relief from your symptoms from only 12 days a month of progesterone, it's likely that you are still making some estrogen and progesterone of your own, in high enough amounts to help your symptoms. Everyone responds to the perimenopause and menopause differently, but most women I know who are truly menopausal would not get relief from 12 days a month of progesterone. They would be symptomatic the other 18 days. Unless you are using some type of contraception, or are not sexually active, you may wish to consider contraception. Progesterone is certainly not a contraceptive.

Best of luck, and thank you for the interesting question.

--
Ashley Hill
D. Ashley Hill, M.D.
Associate Director
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency
Orlando, FL
I apologize, but I am unable to answer personal e-mail
due to time constraints.

Next message: jeannie: "oocyte donation"
Previous message: Janet: "Can you ovulate while still taking Clomid?"
In reply to: AnnaMarie: "Ultra sound results"

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