How Do You Know If You Are Experiencing Premature Menopause?

If you think you may have this condition, see your physician sooner rather than later. Many of the disorders that may cause these symptoms can be treated. If you do have premature menopause or POF (Premature Ovarian Failure), your treatment will be much more successful if begun early. For women who want to have children, the earlier they consult a reproductive endocrinologist, the more options they will have.

Take Dr. Donnica's Decisionnaire ™. Check off all the points that apply to you and take this list with you when you consult your physician.

___	You are a woman under 40.
___	Your periods have become less regular and less frequent.
___	Your periods have stopped for more than 3 months (and you are not pregnant).
___	You are having hot flashes.
___	You have night sweats that wake you from sleep.
___	You are suddenly moody and irritable without causes that make sense to you or you have frequent mood swings.
___	You have had chemotherapy or radiation.
___	You (or someone in your family) have an autoimmune disorder: hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, Graves' disease, diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, etc.
___	You have a history of pituitary problems.
___	You or someone in your family is deaf.
___	Your mom or sister(s) went through early menopause.
___	You have not been able to get pregnant despite having regular unprotected intercourse for more than a year.
___	Your periods have not resumed after childbirth and you are no longer nursing.
___	You stopped taking birth control pills and your periods have not resumed after 2 months.

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Created: 9/22/2000  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.