Yesterday my 94 year old uncle lost his valiant fight with pneumonia, fighting to do what he wanted as he always did throughout his life right until the very end. We will miss him greatly and grief, my now lifelong friend, has popped in for an open ended stay as expected this time.
Despite on the face of it knowing that at 94 he'd enjoyed "a good innings" as we do in the UK, cricket-loving nation that we are, the reaction is no different than it would have been had he been a much younger age. In fact he's the oldest relative or friend I've known to pass away, the youngest being 12 many years ago - but this doesn't make the loss any easier. He was a father, brother, uncle and grandfather and its those relationships that define the sense of loss, not their age.
As he was a blood relative, this makes the grief much rawer especially in relation to POF. It's at times like these that I most feel the need to biologically procreate, not to replace the lost relative, but to extend family by adding a new relationship and completing a circle of life somehow. Instead, whenever a much loved family member passes away, I feel I've lost another part of myself, another piece of my heart that is me, my essence, my soul, my very core of being.
Bless you Uncle Bill - you will be sorely missed xx
Showing posts with label POF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label POF. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Bioresonance scan
Alison, my acupuncturist, recommended that I have a bioresonance scan to detect where my imbalances are in my body, so off I went to see Susie Cornell yesterday. Now I'm usually pretty cynical about this sort of thing however under the circumstances, I'm up for trying anything that may help me or work out what's happened and why.
After taking the usual medical history, I discovered I was already being scanned as I was filling in the paperwork. I then put two wristbands on that were attached to the E-Lybra bioresonance machine and something that looked like a small version of a disco lights rope round my neck which was also attached to the machine. On closer inspection the "rope" seemed to have small coloured stones in it. Hmmmm.
As I sat there and Susie was getting feedback that she was interpreting for me, a curious thing happened: she seemed to detect a lot of psychological and physical symptoms that I've had even as specific as my feet (arch) problems and recent styes in both eyes. Now really, she could be doing a Derren Brown on me but I'm happy to be Derren'd if it works just as a placebo so long as something works! What was even more uncanny was that my very recent food choices seemed to show up on the machine too, from my daily porridge (too much my body says) right down to the extra portions of lamb I've had last week as lamb is good for kidney Yin (it's now banned from my new diet - nooo!)
The E-lybra was apparently detoxing me and I've got a pendant to wear or have near me with my program on it that will work for up to 3 months. It's not a biggie to have a pendant near me so it can't hurt, I thought with an open mind. But the part that I was most interested in is what my body was saying about nutrition and adding more to the story of what's happened to me.
It seems now that my body was doing a good but hard job fighting off candida growth until Mum died, when the emotional shock hit my immune system which led to candida overgrowth. This then in turn affected my ovaries shutting them down. It is very true to say that candida has been implicated as an auto-immune cause of POF so my interest was piqued by this diagnosis. A personalised anti-candida change in diet along with some Ecobalance supplements to fight off the candida is the plan for the next 3 months. I don't digest sugar, wheat and gluten easily so I have fairly obvious foods to totally avoid within my list of individual worst offenders. If I fall off the wagon occasionally or just cut down rather than eliminate the food that's apparently ok too thank goodness!
After taking the usual medical history, I discovered I was already being scanned as I was filling in the paperwork. I then put two wristbands on that were attached to the E-Lybra bioresonance machine and something that looked like a small version of a disco lights rope round my neck which was also attached to the machine. On closer inspection the "rope" seemed to have small coloured stones in it. Hmmmm.
As I sat there and Susie was getting feedback that she was interpreting for me, a curious thing happened: she seemed to detect a lot of psychological and physical symptoms that I've had even as specific as my feet (arch) problems and recent styes in both eyes. Now really, she could be doing a Derren Brown on me but I'm happy to be Derren'd if it works just as a placebo so long as something works! What was even more uncanny was that my very recent food choices seemed to show up on the machine too, from my daily porridge (too much my body says) right down to the extra portions of lamb I've had last week as lamb is good for kidney Yin (it's now banned from my new diet - nooo!)
The E-lybra was apparently detoxing me and I've got a pendant to wear or have near me with my program on it that will work for up to 3 months. It's not a biggie to have a pendant near me so it can't hurt, I thought with an open mind. But the part that I was most interested in is what my body was saying about nutrition and adding more to the story of what's happened to me.
It seems now that my body was doing a good but hard job fighting off candida growth until Mum died, when the emotional shock hit my immune system which led to candida overgrowth. This then in turn affected my ovaries shutting them down. It is very true to say that candida has been implicated as an auto-immune cause of POF so my interest was piqued by this diagnosis. A personalised anti-candida change in diet along with some Ecobalance supplements to fight off the candida is the plan for the next 3 months. I don't digest sugar, wheat and gluten easily so I have fairly obvious foods to totally avoid within my list of individual worst offenders. If I fall off the wagon occasionally or just cut down rather than eliminate the food that's apparently ok too thank goodness!
Thursday, 10 March 2011
To eat or not to eat but what? Is the question...
We've all read these stories in the media about the effects of drinking or eating certain things only once a day, 5.2 portions a day or cutting them out completely as that will or won't have a positive effect on heart disease, mental health, chances of getting cancer and so on. Really and truly, apart from some broad generalisations like eating pasties and ice cream is not a great idea on a regular basis, then our own health is very individual: what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. Eventually there will come a time when there will be tests on our DNA and blood which will give us all a personalised plan of how to look after ourselves nutritionally, mentally and physically.
Until that time comes, it can be quite stressful with POF to work out what I should or shouldn't be eating. Hot flushes do punish me if I drink alcohol or caffeine, I have one coffee a day now and virtually no alcohol. But the rest is arguable depending on how much oestrogen I need to replace, whether I'm following Western and/or Chinese nutrition guidelines (Zita West's book shows how to combine both), treating specific menopausal symptoms, and the other lifestyle changes I'm making. What's good for one thing is not necessarily good for another. Soya products, which I previously regularly ate and drank when I wasn't eating meat for 10 years, are or aren't effective as they contain phyto-oestrogens, can reduce cholesterol, ward off osteoporosis and some cancers. The jury is still out now though as they also increase the risks of other cancers, don't always stave off menopausal symptoms and may not be the wonder food they were first made out to be after all. And that's not the only food where there's a conflict.
After driving myself crazy obsessing over what is and isn't good for me, I've decided to cut out the processed stodge and too many sweet things, and just ensure that whatever food I eat is varied and good quality, and I aim to eat at regular intervals during the day. So meat is organic and bought from a farm shop or local butcher, fish is wild and not farmed (my other half needs to do more sea fishing from his boat which he loves!), I drink lots of water during the day now and I try to eat breakfast every morning (ok I had my porridge at 11.55am today!).
Probably the most important thing though is not to stress about what I'm eating as that negates why I'm changing my food choices in the first place! Zita West promotes combining Western and Eastern medicine and nutrition but not going on a "diet" per se or worrying about eating cakes and drinking wine if it happens occasionally - now where's that lovely hot chocolate?
Until that time comes, it can be quite stressful with POF to work out what I should or shouldn't be eating. Hot flushes do punish me if I drink alcohol or caffeine, I have one coffee a day now and virtually no alcohol. But the rest is arguable depending on how much oestrogen I need to replace, whether I'm following Western and/or Chinese nutrition guidelines (Zita West's book shows how to combine both), treating specific menopausal symptoms, and the other lifestyle changes I'm making. What's good for one thing is not necessarily good for another. Soya products, which I previously regularly ate and drank when I wasn't eating meat for 10 years, are or aren't effective as they contain phyto-oestrogens, can reduce cholesterol, ward off osteoporosis and some cancers. The jury is still out now though as they also increase the risks of other cancers, don't always stave off menopausal symptoms and may not be the wonder food they were first made out to be after all. And that's not the only food where there's a conflict.
After driving myself crazy obsessing over what is and isn't good for me, I've decided to cut out the processed stodge and too many sweet things, and just ensure that whatever food I eat is varied and good quality, and I aim to eat at regular intervals during the day. So meat is organic and bought from a farm shop or local butcher, fish is wild and not farmed (my other half needs to do more sea fishing from his boat which he loves!), I drink lots of water during the day now and I try to eat breakfast every morning (ok I had my porridge at 11.55am today!).
Probably the most important thing though is not to stress about what I'm eating as that negates why I'm changing my food choices in the first place! Zita West promotes combining Western and Eastern medicine and nutrition but not going on a "diet" per se or worrying about eating cakes and drinking wine if it happens occasionally - now where's that lovely hot chocolate?
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Feeling hot, hot, hot flushes
Thinking about all of this, I think for me the one symptom that sums up POF and encapsulates its emotional and physical impact is the dreaded hot flush (known as hot flash in the US). Hot flushes are so synonymous with ladies in their late 40s/early 50s, and as you look around an average office, the fans and windows open are generally near these ladies (I say this with my fan on!). So when anyone mentions that I've got a fan on and they say "hot flush?" jokingly, I say yes and then explain it to them as those of us with POF aren't a common breed!
Any woman with hot flushes knows how wretched they make you feel, robbing you of sleep overnight in the form of night sweats, and very draining in general. I'm not belittling the experience of menopause for women of any age but when I had my first dose of hot flushes aged 33, I felt like a hot, sweaty, dried up old woman, like a fruit that's been left on the shelf too long, all wizened and no longer pleasing to look at either. Grey hair was also proliferating at my roots and I remember staring at the bathroom mirror one day seeing a much older me 15-20 years early - in floods of hot tears.
Since I've come off Yasmin the flushes are back with a vengeance and I realise that I judge my oestrogen levels within myself by this one symptom. I did start taking black cohosh this week but I'm already off it as recent research says that it only works as a placebo. I'm drinking soya milk again as there is conflicting evidence that soya can help, I've also started deep abdominal breathing as that cuts them down by 50%, and I've happily discovered I can make them end more quickly and reduce their effects by deep breathing when I feel one coming on. I'm also going to start swimming again as that's the one exercise where I'm always in a cool environment.
The one thing I've noticed this time that I didn't before though is how I can bring one on with emotions, literally making me "hotheaded" i.e. if I'm angry or sad or happy or just generally expressing a strong emotional reaction to something. I think this in itself adds to the argument that stress can cause this, as emotions and stress have always had a physical effect on me. Conversely, a hot flush can also upset and frustrate me, reminding me in those few minutes once an hour or so that my body's not functioning properly.
Any woman with hot flushes knows how wretched they make you feel, robbing you of sleep overnight in the form of night sweats, and very draining in general. I'm not belittling the experience of menopause for women of any age but when I had my first dose of hot flushes aged 33, I felt like a hot, sweaty, dried up old woman, like a fruit that's been left on the shelf too long, all wizened and no longer pleasing to look at either. Grey hair was also proliferating at my roots and I remember staring at the bathroom mirror one day seeing a much older me 15-20 years early - in floods of hot tears.
Since I've come off Yasmin the flushes are back with a vengeance and I realise that I judge my oestrogen levels within myself by this one symptom. I did start taking black cohosh this week but I'm already off it as recent research says that it only works as a placebo. I'm drinking soya milk again as there is conflicting evidence that soya can help, I've also started deep abdominal breathing as that cuts them down by 50%, and I've happily discovered I can make them end more quickly and reduce their effects by deep breathing when I feel one coming on. I'm also going to start swimming again as that's the one exercise where I'm always in a cool environment.
The one thing I've noticed this time that I didn't before though is how I can bring one on with emotions, literally making me "hotheaded" i.e. if I'm angry or sad or happy or just generally expressing a strong emotional reaction to something. I think this in itself adds to the argument that stress can cause this, as emotions and stress have always had a physical effect on me. Conversely, a hot flush can also upset and frustrate me, reminding me in those few minutes once an hour or so that my body's not functioning properly.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
My story so far, part 3 - could DHEA be the key?
After the appointment with the gynaecologist, I carried on with Yasmin for the rest of 2010. Then in January 2011 I was doing some more internet research, when I stumbled over something I'd come across before but not really paid much attention to: DHEA.
I pieced together from various searches and sites how a lack of DHEA in my system could possibly hold the key to why I'm menopausal and how I can possibly...maybe...reverse it all!! Woohoo!! Some research by the Neogenesis clinic in Greece and by the Center for Human Reproduction in the US have had some recent excellent results in supposedly post menopausal women like me.
I don't claim to be an expert or adviser on anything that I try and explain here so please look this up for yourself on Google and you'll soon find the information (I'll add links to the blog too). Basically, DHEA is a type of "master/mother" hormone which links the body's adrenal stress system (cortisol, adrenalin) with the hormonal system (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone). When the body is under acute and then chronic long term stress, then DHEA levels can apparently reduce to permanently low levels as they are overwhelmed by our adrenal system, which then put the body in permanent "fight or flight" syndrome. This in turn shuts down the reproductive system, as our bodies cleverly decide that "now" is not a good time to be pregnant. This is fine when stress is short term as it would have been for our ancient ancestors who needed "fight or flight", but in today's modern lifestyles where chronic stress is very prevalent in young women's lives, this process is our reproductive enemy.
The thinking is from some sources, that DHEA supplements could effectively restart the reproductive system by helping protect the reproductive hormones from the damaging effects of the adrenal system, which would then allow hormones to rise back to normal levels, effectively "reversing" the menopause. Most studies and forum entries suggest that 75mg per day for 4 months is the optimum amount and time for the the DHEA to do its job most successfully - alongside acupuncture and a healthier lifestyle. I must add there are also reports of side effects including hair loss, acne, increased body hair and many more unwanted effects, plus little or no knowledge of the long term effects which may or may not be reversible once coming off the DHEA. I wouldn't recommend anyone does what I'm doing without medical consultation - this is just a decision I've made for me, and it may well be the wrong one.
Needless to say, I've come off the pill now, started on 25mg on DHEA for 10 days now upped to 50mg a day, started acupuncture, plus multivitamins, soy isoflavones, Co-Enzyme Q10 and Black Cohosh (for hot flushes - aarrggh!!), am making better diet choices including very little alcohol or caffeine (sooo hard!) and more exercise as my BMI has crept up to around 27.
Wish me luck and I'll report the results as they happen..
I pieced together from various searches and sites how a lack of DHEA in my system could possibly hold the key to why I'm menopausal and how I can possibly...maybe...reverse it all!! Woohoo!! Some research by the Neogenesis clinic in Greece and by the Center for Human Reproduction in the US have had some recent excellent results in supposedly post menopausal women like me.
I don't claim to be an expert or adviser on anything that I try and explain here so please look this up for yourself on Google and you'll soon find the information (I'll add links to the blog too). Basically, DHEA is a type of "master/mother" hormone which links the body's adrenal stress system (cortisol, adrenalin) with the hormonal system (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone). When the body is under acute and then chronic long term stress, then DHEA levels can apparently reduce to permanently low levels as they are overwhelmed by our adrenal system, which then put the body in permanent "fight or flight" syndrome. This in turn shuts down the reproductive system, as our bodies cleverly decide that "now" is not a good time to be pregnant. This is fine when stress is short term as it would have been for our ancient ancestors who needed "fight or flight", but in today's modern lifestyles where chronic stress is very prevalent in young women's lives, this process is our reproductive enemy.
The thinking is from some sources, that DHEA supplements could effectively restart the reproductive system by helping protect the reproductive hormones from the damaging effects of the adrenal system, which would then allow hormones to rise back to normal levels, effectively "reversing" the menopause. Most studies and forum entries suggest that 75mg per day for 4 months is the optimum amount and time for the the DHEA to do its job most successfully - alongside acupuncture and a healthier lifestyle. I must add there are also reports of side effects including hair loss, acne, increased body hair and many more unwanted effects, plus little or no knowledge of the long term effects which may or may not be reversible once coming off the DHEA. I wouldn't recommend anyone does what I'm doing without medical consultation - this is just a decision I've made for me, and it may well be the wrong one.
Needless to say, I've come off the pill now, started on 25mg on DHEA for 10 days now upped to 50mg a day, started acupuncture, plus multivitamins, soy isoflavones, Co-Enzyme Q10 and Black Cohosh (for hot flushes - aarrggh!!), am making better diet choices including very little alcohol or caffeine (sooo hard!) and more exercise as my BMI has crept up to around 27.
Wish me luck and I'll report the results as they happen..
Friday, 25 February 2011
Acupuncture and Craniosacral therapy first appointment
Today I had my first experience with acupuncture and craniosacral therapy at The Plumb Blossom Clinic whom I'd read a recommendation for on one of the in/fertility forums that I lurk on.
The appointment was earlier than I'd have preferred at 8.30am but it worked out to be a good choice of time as I've been floating and sleepy for the rest of the day! I'm impressed so far, as one of the main reasons to choose therapies from traditional chinese medicine is that it looks at the causes of health problems rather than the effects of them. Alison took a full medical history and we talked about stress and its effects on the body. This was the first time that I felt that I am being treated by investigating the whole picture of what's happened, not just instant fixing my missing oestrogen supply with Yasmin or HRT.
In case you're wondering, I could feel the needles going in but they just felt like pin pricks. I've had my ears pierced 3 and 4 times each, and my nose pierced before so wasn't worried about pain at all anyway. She started with my lower legs and toes, plus my hands where the I felt the needles more. They were left in for around 15-20 minutes and after a while I was so relaxed the needles felt like they warm and glowing or buzzing almost. Alison cradled my head and applied pressure there and above and below my pelvic bone.
As I'd read already in "The Infertility Cure" by Randine Lewis already, I have a Yin deficiency causing my body to have too much dryness and heat, hence the hot flushes and amenorrhoea. I need to restore the Yin which will replace the lost moisture in my body, and this is one of the main areas to be worked on. I have booked a further 5 sessions with Alison over the coming weeks and am looking forward to working with her again.
The appointment was earlier than I'd have preferred at 8.30am but it worked out to be a good choice of time as I've been floating and sleepy for the rest of the day! I'm impressed so far, as one of the main reasons to choose therapies from traditional chinese medicine is that it looks at the causes of health problems rather than the effects of them. Alison took a full medical history and we talked about stress and its effects on the body. This was the first time that I felt that I am being treated by investigating the whole picture of what's happened, not just instant fixing my missing oestrogen supply with Yasmin or HRT.
In case you're wondering, I could feel the needles going in but they just felt like pin pricks. I've had my ears pierced 3 and 4 times each, and my nose pierced before so wasn't worried about pain at all anyway. She started with my lower legs and toes, plus my hands where the I felt the needles more. They were left in for around 15-20 minutes and after a while I was so relaxed the needles felt like they warm and glowing or buzzing almost. Alison cradled my head and applied pressure there and above and below my pelvic bone.
As I'd read already in "The Infertility Cure" by Randine Lewis already, I have a Yin deficiency causing my body to have too much dryness and heat, hence the hot flushes and amenorrhoea. I need to restore the Yin which will replace the lost moisture in my body, and this is one of the main areas to be worked on. I have booked a further 5 sessions with Alison over the coming weeks and am looking forward to working with her again.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
My story so far, part 2
Fast forward one marriage breakup, a new relationship, two house moves and three years later to early 2010. Life is calmer than it was and a visit to a different (newly qualified) GP sparks his interest in why I'm on Yasmin when I've over 35 with high blood pressure and would I like to try the progestogen only mini-pill Cerazette instead? (I'd also been back to GP and off Yasmin for one month in summer 2009 for headaches which didn't go away when I came off)
I thought to myself that this was always going to need checking at some stage so why not now? Yes please, I'll switch to Cerazette. Not immediately but around 2-3 weeks later, back came the hot flushes with a vengeance, and back I went to the surgery to have another FSH blood test done. This time it was 82! So even worse than the 63 back in 2007. This time it dawned on me that there's something very wrong that could be permanently irreversible - and that realisation hit me hard.
I immediately bought myself another private gynaecologist appointment as I wanted answers. She confirmed I was in premature menopause/premature ovarian failure (interchangeable terms it seems - that's another discussion in itself), did an internal exam then asked about children as clearly I would need egg donation, and I could be referred to a clinic who could send me on a fertility tourism "holiday" to get "An Egg". She was obviously trying to help me as quickly and cheaply as possible but to me:
(a) I want further tests to see exactly what is wrong with my body
(b) no-one has looked at possible causes?? ...and
(c) if I wish to have children (this diagnosis is not just about having children!) then I may not necessarily want to "buy" a cheap, unidentified egg off some poor woman in Eastern Europe like I'm buying a pair of shoes???
I was offered and then unoffered an ultrasound, as she realised I had paid for the appointment directly, and didn't have health insurance to cover the cost. She then recommended I stay on Yasmin and not HRT, as that would prepare my body better for future egg donation pregnancy (didn't explain why?), and I was to come back once my partner and I had decided we wished to go ahead with egg donation. Great. So until that time then, it doesn't matter that my body has gone through menopause too early with all the possible long term problems that brings, all the concerns about me staying on Yasmin have gone out the window, and I'll just stay on pause then in the middle of medical nowhereville for an undetermined length of time......
I thought to myself that this was always going to need checking at some stage so why not now? Yes please, I'll switch to Cerazette. Not immediately but around 2-3 weeks later, back came the hot flushes with a vengeance, and back I went to the surgery to have another FSH blood test done. This time it was 82! So even worse than the 63 back in 2007. This time it dawned on me that there's something very wrong that could be permanently irreversible - and that realisation hit me hard.
I immediately bought myself another private gynaecologist appointment as I wanted answers. She confirmed I was in premature menopause/premature ovarian failure (interchangeable terms it seems - that's another discussion in itself), did an internal exam then asked about children as clearly I would need egg donation, and I could be referred to a clinic who could send me on a fertility tourism "holiday" to get "An Egg". She was obviously trying to help me as quickly and cheaply as possible but to me:
(a) I want further tests to see exactly what is wrong with my body
(b) no-one has looked at possible causes?? ...and
(c) if I wish to have children (this diagnosis is not just about having children!) then I may not necessarily want to "buy" a cheap, unidentified egg off some poor woman in Eastern Europe like I'm buying a pair of shoes???
I was offered and then unoffered an ultrasound, as she realised I had paid for the appointment directly, and didn't have health insurance to cover the cost. She then recommended I stay on Yasmin and not HRT, as that would prepare my body better for future egg donation pregnancy (didn't explain why?), and I was to come back once my partner and I had decided we wished to go ahead with egg donation. Great. So until that time then, it doesn't matter that my body has gone through menopause too early with all the possible long term problems that brings, all the concerns about me staying on Yasmin have gone out the window, and I'll just stay on pause then in the middle of medical nowhereville for an undetermined length of time......
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
My story so far, part 1
My story dates back to 2006 when I decided it was time to give my body a break from pretty much non stop use of the pill, namely Dianette and Yasmin, since I was a teenager.
My periods were very light and started skipping and I began to get hot flushes and night sweats more commonly associated with a much later time of life. I remember naturally assuming that coming off the pill would mean my body would take time to reset itself and get back to normal. During that year, the threat of redundancies at work also came to light adding to the stress, hence not worrying overly about it.
In early 2007, things were still not right so I saw my GP who recommended a blood test in which my FSH levels were tested. FSH is Follicle Stimulating Hormone which is the hormone responsible for sparking up the menstrual cycle each month, sending a signal from your pituitary gland in the brain to the follicles in your ovaries to release an egg. A normal level for a woman before menopause would be approx from 0 to 10 (depending on who you talk to!), as a normally menstruating woman would not need much FSH to release an egg. From 10 - 20 indicates means you've got problems and anything over 25, we're talking menopausal ranges as it means that your brain is sending more and more of the FSH signal to get the egg released but your ovaries are not interested anymore.
My level came back as 63. Not just I've got a problem or I'm pre-menopausal even, but straight through to the other side. There it was on paper. I was post-menopausal at just 33 years old.
I made an appointment to see a gynaecologist though there were problems with when he could see me, so I decided not to see him. I was going through a hellish time with all the flushes every hour, no sleep, night sweats all sorts, plus I also had other stressful problems going on in my life too so what did I do next? I lied to the GP, said my periods were back, must be stress and I was happily back on Yasmin pretending none of that ever happened. Yes it was denial, but I thought that I needed to sort out all my other stresses first, then when my life had calmed down and I was more settled again, I'd come off the pill again and then everything would be back to normal, right?
My periods were very light and started skipping and I began to get hot flushes and night sweats more commonly associated with a much later time of life. I remember naturally assuming that coming off the pill would mean my body would take time to reset itself and get back to normal. During that year, the threat of redundancies at work also came to light adding to the stress, hence not worrying overly about it.
In early 2007, things were still not right so I saw my GP who recommended a blood test in which my FSH levels were tested. FSH is Follicle Stimulating Hormone which is the hormone responsible for sparking up the menstrual cycle each month, sending a signal from your pituitary gland in the brain to the follicles in your ovaries to release an egg. A normal level for a woman before menopause would be approx from 0 to 10 (depending on who you talk to!), as a normally menstruating woman would not need much FSH to release an egg. From 10 - 20 indicates means you've got problems and anything over 25, we're talking menopausal ranges as it means that your brain is sending more and more of the FSH signal to get the egg released but your ovaries are not interested anymore.
My level came back as 63. Not just I've got a problem or I'm pre-menopausal even, but straight through to the other side. There it was on paper. I was post-menopausal at just 33 years old.
I made an appointment to see a gynaecologist though there were problems with when he could see me, so I decided not to see him. I was going through a hellish time with all the flushes every hour, no sleep, night sweats all sorts, plus I also had other stressful problems going on in my life too so what did I do next? I lied to the GP, said my periods were back, must be stress and I was happily back on Yasmin pretending none of that ever happened. Yes it was denial, but I thought that I needed to sort out all my other stresses first, then when my life had calmed down and I was more settled again, I'd come off the pill again and then everything would be back to normal, right?
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