Does DOR and early menopause go together? A nurse at my specialists office told me that although I may not go into menopause straight away, I may start experiencing symptoms at any time, even in the next year and I'm 34! I know that IF doesn't take age into consideration at the best of times, but this is just another blow and it sucks!

I already have no sex drive, but I put that down to the fact that sex for us has always revolved around my cycle and therefore clinical. I'm not experiencing any other symptoms, but I'm terrified. Any advice?

TTC for 3.5 yrs from age 27
4 rounds on clomifene
2 MC
About to start IVF when...
DD OE 3.5yrs old now
TTC 2.5 yrs for #2
2 rounds of clomifene
1 MC
Dx with DOR Jan 2012
Using DE from sister possibly

Emily,
You are going through a lot in your life right now. I know for me if I am stressed or megga tired then sex drive goes out the window.
Forget meno as you are way young. Its probably stress.
I am 48 and my sex drive (eh whats that again) has gone too. But I"m tired and I"m stressed.
It doesnt matter if you were going through meno anyway (as you know).
take care best, THK

Stress comes hand in hand with a toddler and a shift working husband, especially one that snores! Here I am thinking insomnia is another symptom and it's probably just his snoring!!

She may be going by your BW, but my impression is that in younger women, hormone levels fluctuate a lot. If you're still having AF, I wouldn't worry about it; the nurse probably just wants you to be mentally prepared if it happens. My mid-thirties were pretty much the nadir of my sex drive, and you have a toddler. And, as THK points out, from a DE perspective, it won't make a difference to your being able to have a child. Maggie (in VA)

I began this perimenopausal stage at 36...my fsh was in the 20s and then by 38 in the 40s. I had awful hot flashes at age 38 (oh and insomnia) and then they went away (im now 40 -- wonder if when theyll return)Ive asked my reg obgyn if im official, and she says it doesnt really matter...i just need to protect my bones, heart health. I will do hrt when my de life is over.

I have noticed a sex drive spike when i take estodiol for a week...its like i was 30 again. So, im hoping hrt will help in the future.

A change of thinking ive had since my devastating pof/dor/perimeno diagnosis: i know a lot of attractive, successful, put together women in or done with menopause. I am still somewhat bitter about my 10 yr early foray into this hormone decline, but im getting better about it (3 yrs later!). Focus instead on your physicalhealth -- keep your body looking fit, get a flattering haircut. Your natural, early hormone decline doesnt make you less sexy or less of a woman. We are so lucky to be alive in this era of medical technology. Take advantage of it.

My two cents.

It's called perimenopause, and MANY women are going through it in their 30s. Your colleague is sort of blowing things out of proportion.

I stopped ovulating (due to DOR and also hypothyroidism) when I was 34, but I started ovulating again when I got my health in order. When I was 40, my RE said I would be in menopause in a year, but not only did I keep having regular periods, but I did an OE at that time and got decent embies.

I DO have symptoms - low sex drive, night sweats.

Read the book: "It's my ovaries, stupid" but Dr. Vliet, it will help you. There are things you can do to help with all of these things, and they can be addressed.

Don't feel bad about this -- just think that you are going to be way ahead of the game in being prepared. I actually felt empowered by the knowledge I gained once I got over the IF part.

You will be OK. You will probably want to be on estrogen and have your thyroid checked, and make sure to get calcium and adequate B vitamins. Primrose oil helps too (1200 mcg a day).

Don't think ahead. If you're still getting AF, you're not in early menopause (which is total cessation of ovulation). In DOR, you very well could have meno symptoms for years. Sucks, I know.

I skipped DOR went right to sudden premature ovarian failure at 22 y/o.

I went right to POF, too. Did your doctors ever find a reason?? We never found a reason for my POF.

We assumed it was due to scar tissue that formed as a result of my many surgeries for removing endo. Can't be proved for certain, but either way, it sucks eh?

and maybe in a year and half later the POF. the last two years I was looking or doing DE cycles. It sucks and sometimes I feel sorry for myself since I didn't enjoy my wedding and my first year of marriage b/c of it. I did a lot of blood work before the marriage and the fsh test was added into my blood. It came back 10. And the story started from there.Actually, after learning fsh 10 and DOR. I used to get my period regularly and on time, every 27 days. Just since last year, period became to come every 1.5 month. I don't care that much if it doesn't affect the DE cycles. Which I read it won't from the board. Still no success with the DE too.

is defined as the absence of AF for a year. I think any time before 40. Premature is before 35...
DOR is just Diminished Ovarian Reserve; so you have fewer eggs than most women your age (but you knew that). It doesn't mean your ovaries are empty, just that the eggs that are there are either very few and/or of diminished quality.
HTH.

I was dx wih DOR at age 34.....and at 44 still having regular cycles