Lara Briden's Forum

Unsure what to do next. Heres a little history....

At 26 I had my AMH done, 0.93pmol/L (0.414 ng/mL) That scared me slightly so at 27yo I tested my FSH 17.4.

3 years later after no pregnancies I tested again 27.3 then 23.2 a month later. I luckily saw a naturopath and with Dim and Vitex fell pregnant a year later.

I’m now 36 and asked to get blood tests recently(oct and Jan) as the hot flushes, low libido, hay fever, mood swings, weight gain are just driving me insane. I have no patience at all with my almost 5 year old. FSH readings were 55.7 and 100 (oest 608 and <50 respectively)

The lab results have had premature ovarian failure in the comments with these high FSH readings but my Dr has said nothing of it? The Dr just sent me away with no help for my current symptoms.
Haven’t been diagnosed with anything at this point.

I guess Im just unsure where to go from here, and which dietary/supplementary advise from your book would be best to follow ie perimenopause or after 40 chapters. (Just read the period manual, will be getting the next book soon)
Do I just need my Dr to refer me somewhere? I think I’ll have to push for anything from her but not sure what to push for?

If anybody has been in this position before I'd love some feedback!
Thanks
A

And you're not having periods, correct? Because unfortunately, yes. Lack of periods and two high FSH readings (55.7 and 100) is suggestive of premature menopause or ovarian failure. As I explain in hormone repair manual, hormone therapy (including estrogen therapy) can be quite helpful and important in this situation. So, you might want to try again with your doctor (or a different doctor) and say something like:
"I've had two high FSH readings and no periods in ___ months. Plus I'm having hot flushes and not feeling well. Is this premature ovarian failure? Could I benefit from hormone therapy? Not just for symptoms but for my bone health. If you can't help me, can you refer me to someone who can?"

And don't let them just prescribe the pill. Proper hormone therapy would be a much better approach.

Thank you for your reply!

Yes only had random periods last year. Two 4 month long cycles. My mum has been through menopause by 40.

I’ve now read your hormone book which gave me a lot of insight as well

Managed to touch base with Dr yesterday and she wants to refer me to specialist, wouldn’t let me try the hormones you suggested, I said something to her like what you mentioned above.

Hopefully the very expensive fertility endocrinologist will help and not just reiterate what I already now. Think I need a new Dr regardless though.
Thanks again, your advice is very appreciated!

Just one more comment: And estrogen patch plus Prometrium is a very standard version of menopausal hormone therapy these days so should (in theory) be what you're offered -- without having to ask for it. See the "how to speak with your doctor" sections in Chapter 6 of hormone repair manual.

So I finally found another Dr and she totally agreed with everything I had to say!

Once I have my uterine lining checked (if all ok) she will start my on some bioidentical hormones.
Because I was getting no help I had started on BePure menocalm supplements which helped with the flushes (black cohosh, sage, Ashwagandha and choline)
Once I start on the hormones will I still need this supplement?