Question 59
Dear Dr N,
I am a 50 year old woman still menstruating regular like clock work every 28 days. I have never had any children. I have been on Premarin every day of the month and Provera 10 days in the cycle I am very active, quite athletic and move so well for my age people think I am in my late 30's. I am, not sexually active. I have a history of benign fibroadnemonas in one breast which was surgically removed (the tumor) and the other two tumors are small and are being watched. I watch an elevated cholesterol problem and take blood pressure medications for a borderline condition. The hormone's were started at age 46 when the tissue in the upper vagina wall began to painfully thin. The hormones have alleviated that problem for years.
My question is: The nurse in my GYN office insists that I come off the hormones to "force" my body to stop having periods. She asks: Why have them when you don't need to?" My dosage in both hormones is and continues to be the smallest amount. I say no because I don't want the symptoms that accompany no hormones. And, I am probably confused but having a period doesn't bother me and never has. Please, what advise to you offer?
Thank you
Reply:
I think that the best thing you could do is smile and ignore her suggestions. I am sure that she means well, but her suggestion as you already have indicated is not in your best interests. I think that if she would like to handle her menopause in this way, that is great, but you don't have to.
Some people are on a mission and want everyone to do things the way that they do. It has nothing to do with whether it is good, or bad for you, it just makes them more comfortable.
Dr N