Menopause???

Ok, don't think I am totally nuts, but I think I might be starting menopause? It's crazy, I am only 30, but here are the symptoms I am experiencing:

-Last period October 27, 2010
-Last 2 periods barely spotting
-Night sweats (waking up drenched, sometimes 2-3 times a night several nights a week)
-MAJOR mood swings/depresion
-Forgetfullness/cloudy brain feeling
-Loss of interest (in certain areas)
-Increase in bladder issues (that had previously resolved after weight loss)
-Headaches (possibly migraines) and I have never really gotten headaches before

I have an appointment with my OB scheduled for January 27th for my annual, so I am going to ask him to do the follicle test. In the meantime I was just wondering if anyone had heard of weight loss causing menopause (I know it messes with your hormones)? Or maybe it has nothing to do with weight loss, some women do go through this early, and I started extremely young. Or maybe I am just having mimicking symptoms because of low body fat?

Weight loss can cause hormonal disturbances. Look at what happens with anorexics; they lose so much body fat, they stop having periods. As we all know, estrogen is stored in fat tissue and if you don't have much left, you may not have enough estrogen for a regular cycle. You are really young to be starting menopause. I think it is related the the weight loss and loss of body fat. Low estrogen can cause all the symptoms that you listed. Rapid weight loss creates a lot of stress on the body that is manifested by hair loss, changes in skin, changes in menstrual cycle, etc. Even without the rapid weight loss, extreme physical and emotional stress can cause disruptions in our normal cycle. The rapid weight loss and extreme exercise can cause a decrease in body fat, such that, a woman doesn't have a normal cycle. Maybe, it would help to get your body fat accurately tested by the dunk test. See your GYN provider.

Since I have lost weight and no longer taking estrogen, I have been experiencing spells of night sweats, hot flushes, and disturbance in my sleep. I think, it is because I don't have the stores of estrogen in my fat any longer and my body is reacting to the decrease in estrogen. It seems to be increasing, as I lose more weight. At some point, it will stop, but you are too young to be going through menopause.

Women athletes have this problem due to extreme exercise and loss of body fat.

It is unusal but not impossible to go through menopause at that age.  My sister expereinced ovarian failure and menopause at about age 35 and was told it is not reversable.

Could be low body fat too..that will make you stop having periods...not sure about the other symptoms through. 

It's good that you ahve a doctors appointment.

I would imagine it is due to low body fat.  I think there is a blood test that can tell if you are in menopause. 
None of those symptoms sound like any fun so I hope they figure out was is going on with you and can get it fixed.
I had a hysterectomy in the early 90's and was put on premerine immediately which worked wonders but that was before we knew all the potential problems with hormone therapy.

It could just but low estrogen ... both both body fat levels and running can effect your cycles.
Make sure they measure your estrogen levels.

I am glad you are going to see your doc. Besides estrogen levels, I think that it is necessary to have your fsh (follicle stimulating hormone) checked too. Maybe progesterone too.
Hope you will be feeling back to normal soon!
Maria

Thanks Ladies! I'm not really concerned about it, but it is odd and definitely worth looking into.

I would say its because of low body fat.  But I'm no Dr!  I'm going by your weight in your sig line.  That is why most gymnists don't get there periods.

But then again, you could be going through menopause!  Since my DS I've had really bad PMS!!  I get really wide (and sudden) mood swings and really bad cramping!  And I eat like a pig the week before and crave chocolate and pee all the time!!!  Hope your OB can give you a good answer!!!

Shannon,
I was in my early-mid forties and my OB/GYN kept telling me that was not what it was and would not do the bloodtest.  I finally changed OB/GYN's and she did the blood test and found out that was what it was and started treating me for the symptoms.  

My hormone levels have dropped and I am on two different medicines for this.  More than likely mine is from age(56) and not really weight loss related.

I would want the blood test, but I tend to agree with the others that I bet it is from your rapid weight loss.  Forgetfullness/cloudy brain sometimes comes from not getting enough carbs or could be low on some of your vitamin levels.  Have you had a complete set of labs?  I would want them to do that also.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Linda

Have the fsh test, but be warned it can be false. It's not perfect, okay?

I had a partial hysterectomy i***** at age 39, just before turning 40. Still have my ovaries. Over the years, I have been tested to see if I had gone thru menopause because no one in my family on the female side was around could tell me when they had gone thru or had gone thru naturally. So starting about 45 or so, I got tested yearly. And each year was told nope, not yet.

Well, about 2 years ago, they told me not only had I hit menopause, I was DONE!!!! Didn't even know it. I'm 56 now

Liz