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Common Menstrual Concerns

  • Progesterone (not Estrogen) is Optimal Therapy for Hot Flushes

    I’m having really bad night sweats waking me at least once every night and sometimes three or four times. I was given estrogen therapy for them when I was still having periods and it not only didn’t help, it made my flooding and breast tenderness worse. I’m now about two years since my last period and just dying for a good night’s sleep! I tried one of those new anti-depressants and it helped a bit but didn’t take the night sweats away. In fact, I think it made my sleep worse! My doctor says estrogen is what Canadian and USA experts recommend for hot flushes. I have seen so much conflicting stuff that I don’t know what to think. All I know is that I’m scared of estrogen. Are there any other good options?

  • Why am I no longer interested?

    I’ve been with this thoughtful, loving and attractive guy for two years. We’re both in our mid-thirties, have a healthy sporty lifestyle. We each have good jobs and have made a great home together. I’ve always felt we were quite good for each other, and easily shared lots of important things, especially in bed.

    However, for some reason, I’m no longer interested in sex. For his sake I even sometimes fake it! Could it be related my increasingly bad cramps and heavier, longer flow? Or could it be because my doctor recently recommended and I started the Pill to treat my heavy flow? My guy and I were perfectly happy with condoms and spermicidal jelly before.

  • Should I have an Endometrial Ablation for Heavy Bleeding?

    I recently read an article in More magazine about extreme bleeding, fibroids and endometrial ablation. The author had heavy bleeding and ended up having the fibroids removed and an endometrial ablation. I’m a healthy 45-year old yet I’ve been having gushing and flooding for several months. Should I have the lining of my uterus scraped away?

  • Perimenopause and Thyroid Problems—common and confusing

    When a perimenopausal woman feels tired, gains weight and has frozen-cold hands and feet, how can she tell if the cause is a low thyroid or perimenopause?

  • PCOS (AAE) and Insulin Resistance

    Two years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS by my general practitioner, who started me on Diane35® but basically did nothing else. Despite walking and working out regularly, I have continued to gain weight, and my emotional/hormonal levels seem very out of place. My waistline is increasing despite a fasting glucose test that indicated I am not diabetic. I am looking for advice as to how to find out more information about PCOS so that I can try to regain control over my menstrual health, and ultimately my weight and emotional health.

  • What do cysts on the ovary mean?

    I’ve been having some heavier bleeding and increased period cramps. I’m 34 and don’t know why, but my doctor sent me for a pelvic ultrasound. He just called me saying the ultrasound showed a big cyst on my ovary. He wants me to see a gynecologist about it.
    So I have two questions: What does a cyst on the ovary mean? And does having a cyst imply I must have surgery?

  • Androgen Excess

    I am having some issues with my hormones and acne lately. My background: I started menstruating when I was 15 years old and had really heavy week long periods, but they were irregular and did not come very often. When I was about 17 I started getting big pimples on my face, my Doctor at the time told me that it was because my periods were irregular and prescribed me Diane 35. It worked. I was on Diane for 5 years. The problem now: I am now almost 22. I went off Diane at the end of February and not including the initial period, I haven’t had one since (about 6 months!). I went off Diane because of fear of long term side effects, especially considering my mother’s history of estrogen dependent cancers (atypia cells in her breasts, and ovarian cancer). Since I went off the Diane, however, my skin has gotten extremely bad and I have severe acne concentrated on my chin. I am concerned for many reasons including that I am petite and worry about osteoporosis. I am tempted to go back on Diane 35 because it helped in so many respects, but again am apprehensive… Any suggestions you might have for me would be greatly appreciated.

  • Can we Prevent Anovulatory Androgen Excess (aka PCOS)?

    Hi there. I don’t know if you can answer this or even if you will think it is a stupid question, but I am 41 and have a 12-year old daughter who got her period two years ago. I’ve struggled with PCOS since my teens and now I’m worried because I see my daughter following the same pattern. Her periods are every three or four months, she’s gaining weight rapidly, has lots of pimples and is feeling very bad about herself.  So here’s the question: Is there any way that we can stop her from getting PCOS? 

     

  • Why Does My Heart Feeling Like it is Doing Hurdles?

    I’m 46 years old, healthy and have never, ever had any heart trouble. However, three times in the last six months I’ve had to go to Emergency because my heart starts jumping and racing and I feel like I could black out. I’ve now seen two cardiologists who think they should do surgery to cut the electrical channels in my heart. But I’m young and healthy–my periods are even regular but I’m getting night sweats now and having much worse premenstrual symptoms, cramps and heavy periods. Please help! I’m scared.

  • Heavy, Unpredictable Flow in a Teenager – Rethinking The Pill

    My mom made me go to the doctor I’m 15 and don’t get my periods on time and when it comes it’s so heavy!!!!! I got an order for The Pill. I’m not having sex so WHY WOULD I TAKE IT?????