I am going to visit my "female" doctor this week. I'm kind of young for menopause, but I am having something going on that sure seems like hot flashes. It has even become a little bit of a joke at my job because I am fanning myself when other people are shivering in their sweaters. I will be fine one minute and so hot the next that I break into a terrible sweat. I have been on the same bc pill for several years if that makes any difference. What do I need to ask or tell the doctor when I go? I don't want to walk out of there wishing I would have known more about the options available to take care of this problem. Also, my Aunt passed away a year ago after a very tough battle with ovarian cancer, and my grandmother had breast cancer. One of my coworkers said that she has a screening of some kind done for ovarian cancer each year. Anybody know anything about this, and should I be having these done?
Thanks in advance for any helpful advice. My mom isn't very confortable talking about these kinds of things, so while I know there is a family history, I don't really know much about what to do about it.
** Edit for clarity*** I don't think the symptoms I am having are related to either of the cancers I mentioned. I just wanted to know if I should ask about that while I am there to see if there are any preventative measures or screenings I should be aware of. :) Thanks!
I would have them do a routine thyroid blood test as well. I too have hot flashes and am NOT going through the big change. It was a good thought mentioned by Angie P.
I agree with what everyone else has said. What you describe doesn't sound too alarming to me. It could be your thyroid as this little organ can affect every other system in your body. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroid (Grave's Disease) when I was 35 which caused hot flash-like symptoms (I am usually cold), but I also had fluttery feelings in my chest and shortness of breath. Thyroid issues are usually very easy to manage if it is anything like that. Again, just be very open with your doctor. They have heard it all and are beyond getting embarrassed about female issues. Maybe suggest a complete bloodwork up or whatever your doctor thinks would be the best course of action to take. Good luck! You will be fine!
A.
I know this sounds easier than it actually is to do, but take a notebook and write down your symptoms and questioins.
Dr here is my history as i know it, what test should i have done and when do they start?
Dr I've kept a log and during this seven day period i had this many flashes lasting this long at these times of the day. What could cause this? if they don't bring it up ask specifically Should i try another birthcontrol, or What would the symptoms of perimenopause be?
that's what i would do. And it is hard to remember everythign and follow up with more questions, right there as you are absorbing what the dr has said, I'm assuming thought htat there is a nurse you could call and talk to if you had questions later.
Good luck!
I thought I was flashing early too a few years back (around 40) but turned out my sugar was out of whack and borderline diabetic. I would usually have it happen early to mid-afternoons, usually having had skipped breakfast and had a lot of carbs for lunch. Have them check your blood sugar and HA1c levels. Good luck, hope you feel better!
My Mother passed away from Ovarian Cancer a little over 10 years ago...and I don't remember her deal with hot flashes...of course she was 90 years old when she was diagnosed so she was long past menopause!! The main symptoms she dealt with for several years were misdiagnosed as stomach problems...gas...bloating...a feeling of fullness.
I think you should just lay your concerns out to your OB/GYN and trust him/her to address your concerns and answer any questions that come up. Be very forthright...tell your doctor that you don't KNOW what questions to ask. Tell him/her what you been experiencing...the temp. changes etc...also make sure they are aware that there is ovarian and breast cancer in your family so she can address those concerns.
I am not sure what the screening is that your co-working is talking about....I have a pap smear and mammogram every year ....I think there is some sort of blood test that can be run to see if the "cancer markers" are higher than usual...but I don't know if that is a test that they run on people that are not already diagnosed with cancer.
Don't obsess over this...just be relaxed and open with your doctor and don't let him/her leave the room until you have all of your questions answered!!!
They should know about your families cancer history, and as for any other issues, if you are wondering about it, ask it. There are no stupid questions!
You have to be honest with your doctor. Tell them exactly what your symptoms are, even if you're embarrassed (although you shouldn't be at all). Your GYN will know best what to do. They might want to do some blood tests to see if your hormones are off. I wouldn't expect any more testing than that, at least not right now.
Just be honest. Your doc should ask you about your family history. Share your symptoms with him/her.
Like the others have said just tell the doc everything you are concerned about. I don't know if this helps you at all but I used to get those too in my early 20's but I had no other symptoms, I would just get unbeliveable hot for a couple minutes then better. It went on for quite awhile. My doc wasnt too concerened, she actually thought that I was burning through carbs too fast, so I tried to cut down on those, and that helped and they eventually went away all together. I also have a history of breast cancer in my family, and it didnt seem to be anything to do with that.
Ask and share the symptoms. The doctor might be a major help. You will be surprised at what blood and hormone levels might show.
What type of birth control are you using? I went through the hot flash thing and no periods thing. It turned out to be related to the pill I was on. I always had issues with hormonal birth control. two months after stopping the pill and getting my iud things were normal. And in 2009, 9 years after making the switch I had a healthy baby.
Make sure you get a CA-125 blood test.
