Premature Ovarian Failure - this is menopause, isn't it?

[ZiggyForever]

Went for IVF years ago with ExH as we had difficulty conceiving. AMH was less than one and I don't think they found any follicles when they did a follow-up ultrasound. The IVF cycle was cancelled because of course there would be no eggs produced.

Fast forward ten years - I'm 37 now - and my periods can be sixty days apart, forty days, maybe a normal 28-day cycle, then two periods within three weeks, I'm now on day 39 of my cycle with no sign of AF . . . and I had about three months of crazy hot flushes every twenty minutes or so; night sweats etc. They've pretty much gone now but it was November through to January this year.

I'm menopausal, aren't I? I'm getting married this year and we want to try IVF with donor eggs shortly afterwards. Should I be doing anything in the meantime? Should I be on HRT?

Have you had your fsh measured? Could give you a good indication of where you're up to.

Do you have children already?

Hi Chatty - no kids, FSH measured years ago, over several weeks. It was high, but they told me not to worry about it at the time. This was early days of TTC though. Maybe I should go to the docs and have it checked again . . . but then I keep thinking there's no point, when we'll be going private for IVF soon anyway.

It's just depressing. Every time my period disappears I think "oooooo I could be pregnant" but I know deep down I'm not, it's the POF/menopause. Bah.

. Am so sorry. That's pretty early for menopause though right? Did your mum go through it early?

There might not be a point for ttc getting the fsh checked- but you might need something to help bones/health reasons if you are having an early menopause.

Btw it's not impossible to conceive in Peri menopause.

I think it's worth seeing a doctor to see if you need HRT. In terms of age, you could go for donor eggs for many years yet but in your position, I would check about the current symptoms with a doctor asap so that there aren't nasty surprises when you want to do the ivf. Good luck x

Yes, my mum had a relatively early menopause, she was about 42 I think. But she also had 3 kids.

I take a multivit plus calcium and iron, but I should maybe get some doctors advice.

Thanks for the sympathy/empathy, Chatty. I'm guessing if you're in here you've had issues and difficulties of your own?

Thank you JoJo - as dismayed as I am about the prospect of menopause at this age, doctors it is!

I did have issues yes- low amh/low ovarian reserve. Am no longer ttc but I lurk on here in case I can help anyone.

That's lovely, Chatty - you're a wee guardian angel

Hardly I just remember how awful it was having problems ttc/needing ivf etc.