“Hormone Levels?”
I am 45 years old. Not pregnant. I haven't had a menstrual cycle in 3 months. This is the first time I have missed my period and they have always been regular. No history of irregular pelvic exams. My hormone levels came back as FSH 2.3, LH 3, and estradiol 139. These appear to be in the normal range from what I've read online. Any suggestions on what could be causing my missed period? Should I ask for further testing?
Female | 45 years old
Medications: none
Conditions: None
4 Answers
Hi, thank you for your question. Right, since you have missed your period, you are in your perimenopausal age. Sometimes, period stop for some months again, start again much later. There is no worry about this, I would not worry about going for further tests. Just see how it goes. It takes 2 years without a period to be labelled menopause.
Yes- more testing is needed- like a thyroid test and a prolactin.
Anovulation (ovary not releasing an egg) due to excess estrogen could cause no period. Since hormones are normal (except estradiol, which is high) and pregnancy test is negative, you can ask for a prescription for provera for 10 days. You should have a period. Also, get a pelvic ultrasound. You need to follow up with your OBGYN.
Stay Healthy!
Stay Healthy!
Dr. Victoria Mondloch
OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist) | Gynecology
You are not alone; and you are likely anywhere from 1-5 years or so from going into menopause. Your female hormone levels yo-yo from 5% to 66th% in the 5 years leading up to your menopause and your Estradiol usually doesn’t track at the same percentiles as your Progesterone. FSH is actually not a helpful test because you will also yo-yo your FSH levels so it’s not helpful at all. Working with your Estradiol and Progesterone levels by taking bio-identical hormones and following your blood levels is your best option. Remember, Estradiol and Progesterone are prescription meds and are covered by your insurance, so just ask your healthcare provider to draw your blood levels so you can balance your levels. Check out what other hormone levels you should know about by reading my book: Full Bloom: Perimenopause, Menopause, Post-menopause and Beyond which is available on Amazon. This book walks you through the myths and tells you the truths about what women go through as they approach their ‘change of life’. It also walks you through the research and helps patients understand that hormone replacement is much safer than they are led to believe. And there’s a section in the book that walks you through how to talk to your doctor about the bloodwork that you’d like to have done.
Dr. Victoria J. Mondloch
Dr. Victoria J. Mondloch
