Sudden menopause at 42 -- not treatment related

bobogirl

Anybody out there?  My PCP called today to say my FSH levels are through the roof -- I am post-menopausal.  Haven't had my period in six months.  It stopped very suddenly, after having been regular.

My tumor (partial MX 2008) is not responsive to chemo, so no chemo.  No tamox.  No hormone treatments of any kind.  She said stress could have kicked me into earlier menopause.  She said it's permanent.  And she said she's glad, since there will be less estrogen to fuel future tumors.

True, but still, I am in shock.  I am in menopause.  I know nothing about menopause.  I was just thinking about moving through a punk phase and have put tiny subtle blue streaks in my hair.

Please, anyone out there hear me?  My skin is crawling.  Meantime, I'm being put through tests for a new lump at MX site.  MRI next week; surgeon week after.

{{{{{}}}}}

stride

Hi bobogirl, do you know why you went into sudden menopause? You said not treatment related, so is it just your time? I am 42 and I think chemo dumped me into menopause. I don't know anything about it either, but I am thinking there are probably some good books out there on the subject because a whole generation of baby boomers went through it or are going through it. Do youhave specific effects you are worried about?

bobogirl

Hey stride, I guess it could be my time, but it was, like, overnight.  At first the PCP didn't care (no periods), she just said, Hey, you're under stress, it could happen to anyone.  Then after six months she orders the FSH test and apparently I'm already done.  Already post-menopausal.  It's a shock.

Well, I'm worried about all of the symptoms!  Can't do HRT, obviously.  I just feel like I have enough on my plate.  And it doesn't seem right, this overnight thing..

stride

Hmmm, do you have a gynecologist? Seems like it might be worth just talking to another doctor if you' re concerned. Maybe your oncologist? He or she might have some suggestions or thoughts, even if the sudden menopause is not cancer related.

Shrek4

bobo, yes, stress can do that, especially when you are in peri-menopause. The same way that when you are younger, stress can make you get your period. Are you on any hormonal therapy? Was your tumor ER+?

stride, going into menopause due to chemotherapy is very common. It's called "medical menopause", "chemical menopause" or "chemopause".

http://breastcancer.about.com/od/newlydiagnosed/f/medical_meno.htm

stride

I just learned from Wikipedia that castration and testicular failure can cause high FSH levels. At least you can rule those out.

stride

Yes, definitely chemopause. My oncologist warned me it could happen, but like bobogirl I just don't know much about menopause. Before cancer I thought I would have time to learn about what to expect. There is a lot of good info on these boards about hoy flashes, sexual side effects, etc.

stride

Oh for Pete's sake. Hot flashes, not hoy flashes. Clumsy typing is one of the lesser known side effects of menopause....

bevin

HI there, Not sure if it helps but I went into Menopause at age 40 . My last period. I had premature ovarian failure and FSH levels very high as well. Its not so bad. It took some getting used to , once I got BC, the hotflashes kicked into high gear on arimidex.  I deal with that by taking Effexor.  Send me a pm if you have any questions. I'm young too so can totally relate. Happy to share anything I know.

bobogirl

Thank you so much Bevin.  I will figure out how to PM

You're right, Stride -- I can rule out testicular failure

xxx

april485

Menopause is not the end of the world! I have been in meno for about 7 years and I think it has some good points! No more men cramps, no more periods, etc. It has some downsides like those hot flashes and some facial hair that never used to be there, but hey, it is not the end of the world. The bigger picture is that estrogen helps with bone health and heart health but since we are monitored closely now that we have BC, the docs can hopefully be on top of everything else we might encounter. It will all be ok!

Ariom

Bobogirl, I started to go through Menopause at 38, finished by 43, no real symptoms except went from the most regular period to stopping for 6 months, several times. A few hot flushes, but not terrible.

I agree with April, this was not the end of the world for me either. I haven't missed any of it!

It sure doesn't mean you can't do blue streaks in your hair, or anything else you want to do..........go for it.

bobogirl

Ariom, my blue streaks hardly show, they are too subtle, hairdresser made them too classy.  Do you mean to say I can have more blue streaks?  And less classy?  Even though I am in menopause?

For some reason your permission really cheered me up, and if I get even more permission, I am going to go back to my hairdresser and say that you said I could! *Smiling*

Many thanks, April and Ariom, for those soothing words.  I have been scared.

MelissaDallas

My grandmother never struggled with an early menopause either. She just had a period at 41 & never had another. I went through years of perimenopausal hell. I wished I could have done like she did.

bobogirl

Just wanted to add that I'm devastated by this, and my partner seems not to care.  She's definitely not listening to my feelings on this.  Trying repeatedly to talk to her about how I feel, and she just bats the topic away.  She thinks it's not that big of a deal.