Premature Menopause — Now What?

October17

Image by Pensiero via Flickr

I have suffered from premature/chemically-induced menopause since about the age of 15. Having Crohn’s Disease, I spent twenty years taking the synthetic hormonal steroid Prednisone.

Prednisone is produced naturally in the body’s adrenal gland under the name of Cortisone. It is closely related to Cortisol (known synthetically as hydrocortisone,) also produced in the adrenal gland. Cortisone is mostly inactive in the body until it is converted to Cortisol, the “stress hormone” that is released within the body when we feel stressed (and subsequently, adds those stubborn fat deposits around the waist.)

The function of natural Cortisone is to regulate actions in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, and proteins, as well as being an anti-inflammatory agent. It’s this last feature that makes Prednisone a drug of choice in the treatment not just for Crohn’s disease, but also for afflictions such as rheumatoid arthritis, slipped or herniated discs, and asthma.

I used to joke about it when I was younger. My mother and I experienced “hot flashes” at the same time. I gained hard-to-lose weight in my midsection, had rapid mood swings, extreme changes in body temperature, heart palpitations, spotty, often irregular menstrual cycles, hair loss, and after twenty years, a marked decrease in bone density.

If that ain’t menopause, I don’t know what is.

Since the age of 37, my doctor has proclaimed me to be in perimenopause. Because of my loss of bone density, I am no longer allowed (thank God!) to take Prednisone. However, now that I am “at that age” I can’t seem to escape the big M.

So if you’re not quite to the menopausal stage, but feel like you’re having many of the symptoms, examine your medicine cabinet. The symptoms could be from a drug prescribed by your doctor.

Ask your doctor about the side effects of any medication prescribed. Lucky for us, in the age of the Internet, it’s also easy to do the research ourselves. Only you can be the best medical advocate for your health.

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posted under Adventures In Aging

“Premature Menopause — Now What?”

1. October 18th, 2008 at 5:16 am RE Ausetkmt Says:

   all I can say is wooowwwwww.. it’s like reading my life story.

   I have crohns, also hypothyroidism; and I wonder if my crohns had been under control earlier in my life; like say in my teens, instead of getting first treated in my early thirties’; if I’d still have this horrible unloosable spare tire; and triple chin.

   what woman wants a gotee, or moustache ? and the stupid insurance company does not cover any of these sidebar issues which come with the illnesses and side effects from the steroids used to treat it.. pirates.

   it should be required for the doctor to tell you this will be irreversable, if you use steroids.

   as well they should be required to treat the side effects which are much more than cosmetic when you can’t get a date regardless of how “cute your face is”.

   screw that crap.

   I wonder if many people even know this is their real problem ?

   oooo how I hate doctors and their games and drug crimes.

   RE Ausetkmts last blog post..Premature Menopause — Now What?

   
   
2. October 18th, 2008 at 12:53 pm Goddess Says:

   I was diagnosed in my teens, and I still have the spare tire. My chin didn’t start growing until my early 40′s…lol.

   I was complaining to my one doc that every time I went on the steroids, it was getting harder and harder to take the weight off and he said that’s just the nature of the drug.

   And my guess is, not a lot of people realize it. I would hope by now they are better at giving side effect info, especially where prednisone is concerned.

   Thanks for stopping by and you might want to check out my ibd site, at http://ibd.overfortyandlovingit.com

   
   
3. October 22nd, 2008 at 2:47 am lotusflower Says:

   It’ true that we have a lot to be thankful for the INternet. I have done a lot research concerning health issues I faced and still continue to do so to the present time.

   I had the courage to defy taking my doctor prescribed drugs, an anti-cholesterol drug. To begin with, cost was outrageously expensive. Add to that, had loads of documented side effect cases.

   I thank the internet for information that would otherwise be unavailable. It is good to possess complete and unbiased research.

   But of course, a doctor or several doctor’s opinions will still matter regarding our health.

   It’s just that doctors’ diagnoses sometimes need validation.

   lotusflowers last blog post..Sunday Supper: Tex-Mex Casserole

   
   
4. October 22nd, 2008 at 1:28 pm Goddess Says:

   I think that’s a big lesson we all need to learn, lotus. We have to take some responsibility for our own health care. Doctors are not God, and we have a voice too in how we are treated.

   Good job on managing yours, and I hope things are well with you. Thanks for stopping by.