[Soulshine]

#1019512

I was diagnosed with Graves in 04 (prob had it 2 years by then) and had RAI at end of 2004. Its been a really rough road with bad doctors not regulating meds well, but Ive been doing well almost year.
I had my tubes tied in Feb 06 so I wouldnt have to worry about getting pregnant, and my cycle changed dramatically.
Now at 41 yrs old, I think Im having signs of peri-menopause.
Has Graves been known to cause early onset of menopause?
Im also going through big problems with my back, and just had a lumbar epidural steroid injection (ESI) on March 19th. I was told this wouldnt affect menses, but my period was 4 days late and now hasnt stopped. Its been light the past week, but still, its going. Ive never had this happen. Dr said ESI wouldnt cause this, & I seem too young for menopause.
Just wondering if there can be a graves connection.

[hyperm]

#1072135

Not sure about GD connection but my mum, her 3 sisters and my maternal grandmother where all between the ages of 30 – 34 when they went into the menopause! When I was having my "crazy off the scale episode" they tested me for it because of the genetic history! Do you know what age your mum or grandmother was?

m x

[Ski]

#1072136

That’s a good question ~ genetics play a definite role. As far as I know, Graves’ doesn’t cause early onset of menopause, though imbalanced levels can wreak havoc with the schedule (I’m sure you know ~ hyper = late/light periods, hypo = early/heavy periods). If it doesn’t fall consistently on one side (early or late), then thyroid levels probably have nothing to do with it. I found out that menopause is actually defined as the time AFTER you’ve had no period for at least a year (and the "usual" range for that is between 45 and 55). Everything before that is peri-menopause, and it can go on for years before your cycle stops completely, so there’s a chance that’s just beginning for you.

I do think stress can affect our periods, once we get into that peri-menopause state. I’ve had a few "skips" when I was just worried about getting it (travelling or something like that), so it’s possible the stress of your procedure prompted your latest episode. Just a completely off-the-wall guess. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[Soulshine]

#1072137

Well my Mom didnt start till her early 50’s, but her Mom and sisters all had full hysterectomies. 1 of my sisters also had a full hysterectomy in late 30’s and other sister has a different father. Her paternal Grandma went thru it early. she has been 6 yrs in peri-menopause.

This was a shot in the dark. I made an appt to see PCP Monday and see what he thinks.

thanks for aswers

[cathycnm]

#1072138

Soulshine – It sounds like you might be having anovulatory cycles. When that happens – ovaries do not ovulate and it is that process that slows down the estrogen and proliferation. It can cause irregular, long, heavy periods. The estrogen is what makes the uterine lining grow and grow. The progesterone that comes with ovulation – makes the lining plusher but slows the overall growth. So if you don’t ovulate – the progesterone is not produced to counter balance the estrogen. Because the cycle is not normal – it is frequent for periods to be irregular, heavy and long.

Anovulatory cycles are more common in the teen years and after 40. They are not harmful in and of themselves – but can cause things like anemia if the blood loss is too much. Some thyroid disorders can be causes of anovulatory cycles. Of course, mine is an educated guess – only your doctor can diagnose this. Anovulatory cycles are common from stress and perimenopause. Be sure that you are getting enough iron and let your doctor know to be sure it is nothing more serious.

[Shell5716]

#1072139

wow, I am 45 yrs old, had my thyroid removed 9 yrs ago due to GD … now I "think" I am goin thru early menopause … I have all the symptoms … only thing is finding a dr who actually takes my concerns for real instead of just thinking I’m nuts … so glad I found this site today …

Would love to hear from anyone goin thru the same

[hyperm]

#1072140

Shell I read your post earlier and didn’t want to say that perhaps it was your menopause. My mum was very understanding when I thought I was going off my head etc and the hormonal fatigue as she recognised the symptoms to be similar to that of the menopause. When I mentioned that to my endo he agreed.

she read a great book called – Menopause without menopause.

Hope you start to feel more settled soon

M xxx

[bookworm]

#1072141

Soulshine-

I think you are my double.

I’m 39 years old and was diagnosed with Graves in 2006. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had trouble with a bulged disk (L4/L5 and L5/S1). In April, the bulge worsened and my doctor sent me for steroid injections into my back. It worked great.

Here’s my calendar:
April 1: menstration
April 22: steriod injection
May 6: menstration – a couple days late but within normal range
May 24: menstration – very early and very light
June 1-3: light spotting

Menstration is supposed to last 30 years, and this is my 29th year of it. My mom didn’t enter perimenopause until she was in her 50s, though. She menstrated for over 40 years.

I just set up a doctor’s visit. What did your doctor think?

[ewmb]

#1072142

I’ve had graves for two years, just had RAI about a month ago. Periods all over the place. This last visit to the gyn he determined that some of what I was going through was perimenopause and said that 45 isn’t early, it’s normal. Started periods at age 12.Tested my hormone levels and one came back normal and one high but I read that that testing can be thrown off by hyperthyroidism. Can’t remember the two hormones one was levels that kept the ovaries going? Just had my period early and lasting longer than in a while. It was still very light. Take your list of symptoms to your gynecologist and go over them. That’s what I did and it made me feel better informed. Big concern with the graves and being hyper and so close to possibly being post menopausal for him was bone health so we did DEXA scan. Turns out I already have osteoporosis in my spine. Not good.

On that same subject sort of….. did anyone else totally lose their libido during hyper times? Not that I’ve had much energy for sex but that was one of the things that the gyn said was probably the graves alone and not perimenopause.

ewmb

[Ski]

#1072143

Yep, VERY common to lose libido during imbalances (on either side ~ hyper or hypo).

[MRHabetz]

#1072144

I was concerned about my back problems……have the injections helped you? I have a herniated disc L/5-S/1, I just started treatment today. I was just diagnosed with Grave’s last week and am already stressed out from my back issues!! I was just wondering how you handled both at the same time.

[Author]

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