Early Menopause at 23!

Editor — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:59:00 GMT

Question:

I went to my gynecologist yesterday because of a lot of things that I felt were not right: mood swings, hot flashes, very tender breasts, lots of anger and frustration over the simplest things, no sex drive, insomnia, and a change in vaginal mucous. After doing a few tests, my doctor told me that I am going through menopause. I am having a really hard time with this since I am only 23 years old. I have two children and my youngest is just six months old tomorrow. I’m still breastfeeding him. My doctor told me that the sooner I wean my son the better it will be for me, due to breastfeeding decreasing estrogen levels. He also put me on Yasmin (bcps). I still have a lot of questions that I want answers to and, of course, did not think to ask them yesterday. I am having a lot of trouble dealing with the fact that I am going through menopause at 23. I am very thankful that I have two children, but I may want more children later. Do I have any chance of having any more children, and why did this happen to me at 23? I am a nurse, so don't be afraid to send anything. I can pretty much figure out a lot, but I guess I am having a lot of emotional problems right now trying to deal with this (I feel even more sorry for my poor husband – we've only been married for four years and most men don't have to go through this for about another 20 years).

Krystin, Florida

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Answer:

That’s a lot to have thrown at you. Whether or not you can have more children depends on where you are in your transition. If you are still in perimenopause, it may be possible. If you’ve passed menopause, it won’t be (although obviously adoption may still be an option). Reaching menopause at such a young age puts your health at risk in a number of ways. The good news is that treatments exist for many of the problems you’ll face. The bad news is that you’ll need far more information than we can give you here. Pick up a book on the subject, and make a “double appointment” with a physician (so you won’t feel hurried as you ask questions). Also, it may be important for you to speak with a counselor about the way you’re feeling, and your husband may benefit from joining you at a session or two.

Questions & Answers : menopause symptoms, premature menopause

Early Menopause at 23!