When my symptoms first started it was easy to consider what was happening as something to be expected. My wonderful sister’s-in-law, long-time-friends, and any woman just slightly older suggested what was happening me–might be “The Change!” After all they had all been told by their gynecologists that they needed hormone replacements and were going through early stages of menopause when they were my age. Some were even younger!
So for a long time, I just thought this was what early menopause was like. Never knowing when that time of the month might be. Feeling cramps and horrible discomfort with little reminders of my femininity showing up between the normal times of the month. The pain was actually the most awful part of the situation. For all of the years I had been a woman, given birth and lived I didn’t have this kind of pain before. Not only that but, at the age of 43 it would be considered unlikely my symptoms were really related to menopause. I should have had a good 7 or 8 years before that was the case.
Then things started to get worse, and the pain more intense. I suffered spotting nearly every day during November 2006. Finally a good friend scared me half to death and I made my long over due appointment with my gynecologist. I couldn’t help but fear I had waited too long and found the days to my December appointment nearly unbearable. I could not stop thinking…
- How could I have put off my annual exam for 5 years!
- What happens if I waited too long and I am about to die…Oh my gosh that would be terrible….
- …I hope it is just early menopause…
- What if it is cancer?
Finally, I had the appointment and my doctor noticed several things. My uterus was enlarged and hardened. Tilted out of normal position and another test should be scheduled to find out if there were fibroids or polyps. In the mean time, all the routine annual gynecological tests were done.
My test results came in a few days later and everything came out normal as far as the PAP smear, there were no sign of abnormality at all. My hormones were GREAT and there isn’t a reason to think I am anyplace near menopause. So, what caused my symptoms? And what is the answer?
In January I had more tests. My next Guest Blog will write about the Test and the results.
Other Blogs In This Series Adenomyosis My Story:
- Pelvic Ultrasound and Endometrial Biopsy
- Surgical Options: Hysterectomy
- Advance Planning Before Mom Has Surgery: Home and Family
Related Blogs:
Anna Glendenning is a Families.com Insurance and Guest Blogger. Read her Blogs at: http://members.families.com/happymomanna/blog