QuestionI am very worried about my 37 year-old mother. She has been experiencing early and late pregnancy symptoms with out a positive test. She has not had her period for over 2 moths, her breast are large, very tender and leaking what looks like colostrum, morning sickness, moodiness and cravings. She has a history of cervical cancer (19 years-old) she was at stage 5 when the cancer was removed. She has also had cyst in the past on her ovaries. We do have a high female related cancer family history. She is a smoker, not much of a drinker and is at a healthy weight. What could this be?
Please help!
Sincerely
Highly concerned daughter
Victoria H
AnswerDear Victoria,
It is quite possible that your mother's irregular periods and hormonal symptoms are related to peri-menopause, which can start as early as the mid- to late-thirties. However, if she has engaged in unprotected sex in the last cycle or two, pregnancy must be considered as a possibility. Otherwise, there are many various causes for amenorrhea (absence of periods) - pregnancy being just one. Others can be:
-Hormonal imbalances, which cause fluctuating levels of the hormones needed to
support menstruation
-Emotional or physical stress / Depression
-Rapid weight loss or gain
-Change in diet
-Low body weight
-Obesity
-Frequent or strenuous exercise
-Cysts or tumors in the ovaries
-Thyroid or Pituitary dysfunction
-Certain medications or drug use
-Menopause OR Premature ovarian failure (menopause before age 40)
-Occasionally stopping birth control pills
The general recommendation is that if you miss three consecutive periods and pregnancy is not the reason, you should see your doctor so that a cause can be determined. More than likely your doctor will do a quantitative blood pregnancy test (serum beta hCG), which is more conclusive than a urine test, to make sure that pregnancy is ruled out as an option.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you and your mom well.
Brenda
