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Last Updated:
Sep 10th, 2007 - 18:59:21
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Question
I am 43 years old and for the past 15 years my hormonal balance has been increasingly off. I have been diagnosed by 2 doctors to have PCOS and now a 3rd doctor states that my testorone levels are normal so it's probably not full-blown PCOS but I do show all of the other symptoms including insulin resistance. I'm currently taking Metformin (2000mg daily) to counteract the effects of the IR- this is being treated by a very uncooperative, unfeeling Endocronoligist that specializes in Infertility. Since I'm single and not trying to get pregnant - she's all but dismissed me.
My blood work shows that I'm also estrogen dominant and that my progesterone levels are 65% lower than they should be. I'm obese and having the most difficult time regulating my menses and weight loss. For the past 2 years my OB-GYN has been treating me for cancer of the uterus due to prolonged unchecked hormonal deficiences and I'm assuming the PCOS. I've had 3 hysteroscopies in the past 2 years, and a leep every 3 months to check the status of the cancer cell growth/regrowth and so far no regrowth has appeared in the past 8 months. I've also been taking 80mg of Megace (progesterone) for the first 14 months, then my OB-GYN put me on 10mg of Provera 2 weeks per month about 5 months ago.
This is when my problems seemed to have increased. My hormone levels have never been checked by my OB-Gyn and I know that the Provera is not strong enough as I'm suffering from all of the same symptoms I've had over the last 15 years.
The Endocrinologist tested my hormone levels in January this year but stated she couldn't get a true reading due to my taking the Megace.
I need some help - should I drop both of these doctors and try to find one that will really help me balance my hormones so that I can live a somewhat normal life, lose weight, and stop this merry-go-round?
Please help me I'm desperate!
Mitri
Answer
Dear Mitri,
Your condition certainly sounds suspicious for the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Treating it is not only important for fertility, it is also important for cardiovascular heath.
You would do best if you had a thorough NaProTechnology evaluation. You would start by using the Creighton Model of Fertility Care to map your cycles. Then, a physician or mid-level medical practitioner would order blood tests and perhaps another ultrasound. Treatment might include metformin, clomiphene and progesterone as well as surgical ovarian wedge resection.
In health,
George Delgado, MD
George Delgado, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. is a Fertility Care Medical Consultant, a physician with Pregnancy and Family Care Centers of San Diego and
Escondido, and a Voluntary Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego.
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