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A very late bloomer
An_246498 posted:
I have a 19 year old who never had her period...plus she never grew bbreasts...
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:A very late bloomerI have a 19 year old who never had her period...plus she never grew bbreasts...
FCL responded:
I'd say it's high time she saw a doc about this ...
Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear An: FCL is correct (as usual), but I want to add some additional information. A woman her age who has never had a period has "primary amenorrhea". If she has had breast development we start to be concerned after about age 16, If there has been no breast development along with no period an evaluation is begun after age 14. So she really needs to be seen by a GYN or reproductive endocrinologist.
There can be a number of reasons for her lack of periods and breast development. There might be a problem with the pituitary gland. Certain chromosome conditions ( eg 46 xx or 46 xy) can give those symptoms. An issue with the adrenal glands which creates increased male hormones can be the culprit (but usually there is unwanted hair growth and severe acne as well).
PLEASE get her seen. If you have no health insurance you can contact your local county family planning clinic.
Yours,
Jane
There can be a number of reasons for her lack of periods and breast development. There might be a problem with the pituitary gland. Certain chromosome conditions ( eg 46 xx or 46 xy) can give those symptoms. An issue with the adrenal glands which creates increased male hormones can be the culprit (but usually there is unwanted hair growth and severe acne as well).
PLEASE get her seen. If you have no health insurance you can contact your local county family planning clinic.
Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:A very late bloomerDear An: FCL is correct (as usual), but I want to add some additional information. A woman her age who has never had a period has "primary amenorrhea". If she has had breast development we start to be concerned after about age 16, If there has been no breast development along with no period an evaluation is begun after age 14. So she really needs to be seen by a GYN or reproductive endocrinologist. <br /><br />There can be a number of reasons for her lack of periods and breast development. There might be a problem with the pituitary gland. Certain chromosome conditions ( eg 46 xx or 46 xy) can give those symptoms. An issue with the adrenal glands which creates increased male hormones can be the culprit (but usually there is unwanted hair growth and severe acne as well).<br /><br />PLEASE get her seen. If you have no health insurance you can contact your local county family planning clinic.<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
An_246680 responded:
My daughter was the same way until at 20, she decided to use birth control pills. The Dr prescribed the lowest dose possible. Bam! She developed monster breasts and actually started her first period. She was also out of high school and had quit running track and eating sporadically. She was so uncomfortable with these monster breasts (seriously) that she quit taking the birth control. The breast calmed down a little and her periods are about 3-4 times a year depending on her activity and eating level (a prolific walker and bicycler who forgets to eat). Must be nice. I've told her she is very fortunate not to have painfull monster periods that drag on for days like the general population does.
Report This| Share this:A very late bloomerMy daughter was the same way until at 20, she decided to use birth control pills. The Dr prescribed the lowest dose possible. Bam! She developed monster breasts and actually started her first period. She was also out of high school and had quit running track and eating sporadically. She was so uncomfortable with these monster breasts (seriously) that she quit taking the birth control. The breast calmed down a little and her periods are about 3-4 times a year depending on her activity and eating level (a prolific walker and bicycler who forgets to eat). Must be nice. I've told her she is very fortunate not to have painfull monster periods that drag on for days like the general population does.
Christi0725 responded:
This isn't something to take lightly. I was that same 19 year old (I'm turning 22 this week), I saw a regular OBGYN and then ended up finding a Fertility Clinic that keeps my levels and such regular and testing me annually to make sure I'm ok and no new problems. It's not the most acceptable answer to be given but it could be Premature Ovarian Failure. Since females only have so many eggs when born, you may want to strongly consider seeing a specialist and in a hurry. Hope that helps.
Report This| Share this:A very late bloomerThis isn't something to take lightly. I was that same 19 year old (I'm turning 22 this week), I saw a regular OBGYN and then ended up finding a Fertility Clinic that keeps my levels and such regular and testing me annually to make sure I'm ok and no new problems. It's not the most acceptable answer to be given but it could be Premature Ovarian Failure. Since females only have so many eggs when born, you may want to strongly consider seeing a specialist and in a hurry. Hope that helps.
Dear Christi:Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience. Yes, a very early premature ovarian failure is one of the things we worry about when no secondary sexual characteristics have developed. Such women will not have hot flashes or the other signs of menopause until they are exposed to estrogen. There are a number of concerning chromosomal conditions which can prompt the absence of breast development, too.
An_246680, it sounds like your daughter got a good work up for her symptoms before starting treatment. As you may have been told, young women who are very thin, are not eating enough calories to sustain their physical training, and/or are competitive athletes/ballet dancers/gymnasts are more susceptible to amenorrhea and low estrogen levels. The good news with this condition ("hypothalamic amenorrhea") is that rest, more calories, less stress can often restart menstrual periods.
Thus, it is very important for a young woman to get an accurate diagnosis. This can give her both the right treatment options, but also some long term prognosis for her fertility.
Yours,
Jane
An_246680, it sounds like your daughter got a good work up for her symptoms before starting treatment. As you may have been told, young women who are very thin, are not eating enough calories to sustain their physical training, and/or are competitive athletes/ballet dancers/gymnasts are more susceptible to amenorrhea and low estrogen levels. The good news with this condition ("hypothalamic amenorrhea") is that rest, more calories, less stress can often restart menstrual periods.
Thus, it is very important for a young woman to get an accurate diagnosis. This can give her both the right treatment options, but also some long term prognosis for her fertility.
Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:A very late bloomerDear Christi:Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience. Yes, a very early premature ovarian failure is one of the things we worry about when no secondary sexual characteristics have developed. Such women will not have hot flashes or the other signs of menopause until they are exposed to estrogen. There are a number of concerning chromosomal conditions which can prompt the absence of breast development, too.<br /><br />An_246680, it sounds like your daughter got a good work up for her symptoms before starting treatment. As you may have been told, young women who are very thin, are not eating enough calories to sustain their physical training, and/or are competitive athletes/ballet dancers/gymnasts are more susceptible to amenorrhea and low estrogen levels. The good news with this condition ("hypothalamic amenorrhea") is that rest, more calories, less stress can often restart menstrual periods. <br /><br />Thus, it is very important for a young woman to get an accurate diagnosis. This can give her both the right treatment options, but also some long term prognosis for her fertility.<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
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