So, I turn 31 tomorrow, and it appears that I’m going through menopause.
I haven’t been officially diagnosed with premature ovarian failure (sometimes known as early menopause), but both of my sisters and my mother had/have it, though I’m significantly younger than any of them. I have many classic symptoms of menopause – increasingly wonky periods, low libido, discomfort during intercourse, and, most recently, hot flashes and night sweats (can I just say, WTF?). I don’t want kids, so luckily I don’t have to deal with that whole kettle of fish.
The reason I haven’t been diagnosed is because the women’s health people at the student health center (I’m a grad student) are over their heads on this one, but I do have a referral to get a transvaginal ultrasound to check out the old uterus and ovaries, and I’m hoping that doctor can point me to someone competent in this field.
And I have to say, ever since I got my first period, I kinda hoped/prayed that I would get early menopause because menstruation is such a pain, but it’s ending up not being the wonderland I hoped for. So I’m looking for some insight from women I’m not related to, and I suppose some support from people going through the same thing. All my friends are around my age, and they can’t really relate.
I have a few questions, some of which are about menopause more general:
Are there any resources on premature ovarian failure (and, I suppose, menopause more broadly) that you would recommend? Books, websites, etc?
Have you done hormone replacement therapy? How did that work out for you? If not, why not?
Is there any hot flash remediation that has worked for you?
That’s all I can think of right now, but I reserve the right to add more if I think of more.
Thank you!