Is Stoppage Of Menstrual Cycle In A Teenager Suggestive Of Premature Ovarian Failure?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jul 2015

Question: Very worried about my daughter. She is 16.5. Got her period at 14.5. She is an elite level swimmer who practices 6 days a week. Her bmi is 19.2. Four months ago she stopped getting her period. Dr just tested her hormones. I know her FSH was 5.7. Her LH was 3.1. Her testosterone was 21. Not sure of estradiol but in the normal range. She has has Hashimoto's thyroiditis as do I. Her ths has been elevated up to 6 but started on meds in November and down to 2.9. I was diagnosed at 22 years old with hashimotos while pregnant with my first daughter. I have been on medicine for 21 years. I am 47 with a normal period. I never had period issues. I was also never an athlete or that thin. She just finished the progesterone challenge. Took .5 for 10 days and finished three days ago. No bleeding yet. I am worried she had premature ovarian failure. Dr thinks it's hypothalamic. She will go for an ultrasound of ovaries this week. Anything else we can do. Dr is not worried but I am sick over this. What are her chances of POF with that FSH and Lh.

Answered by Dr. Vjollce Mbiarra (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't worry, there is no chance for POF

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear and thanks for trusting to us.

I understand your issue and I will try to help you to be calm.

As her FSH and LH levels (are within range)before four months were as you have reported, there are no chances that she will have POF.

Amenorrhea (missed periods in a row) may be caused from two known reasons :
1. she swim very time per week, it cause body exertion and hormonal imbalance
2. she has been treated for Hashimoto, hence she should contact with her endocrinologist to make thyroid hormones.

If her thyroid hormones are within levels, than the reason of missed periods (amenorrhea) will be from body exertion.
Body exertion cause usually missed periods, especially at her age.

Hence don't worry so much.

All the best

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T