Hot Flashes at the age of 21

[lana99]

Hello, my daughter is 21. She first got her period when she was 11. Since then sometimes she has irregular priod - can skip a month or 2, or be late 2-3 weeks. About 2-3 moths ago she started getting hot flashes. i know that usually women who are in menopause age get it. I'm really worried - will she be able to get pregnant in future? Is it something serious? Please advise!!!!

[John Kim, M.D.]

Yes, I think you should. Although the pills will regulate your period, you will not find out what the reason for the symptoms are and the irregular periods.

[lana99]

Thank yo very much for the reply. We went to gynecologist. The doctor didn't do any blood work. He did ultrasound and papsmear. He offered her to take birthcontrol pills to have regular period and just laughed about hot flashes. I am still worried. Never heard about such doctor as reproductive endocrinologist. If we'll not find one is it ok to see just endocrinologist? When we'll go to the doctor should I just ask him to check her hormones or should I mention all theese FSH, LH etc.?

Thanks again for your answer!

[John Kim, M.D.]

I think that your daughter should see a doctor preferrably a gynecologist or Reproductive Endocrinologist.  They can do some blood test like FSH, LH, Estradiol, Prolactin and TSH, free T4 and initially and then other possible hormone tests depending on the history to find out why she is having irregular period and hot flashes. These tests can find out if she has premature ovarian failture, hypothalamic hypogonadism, a thyroid disorder, a pituitary tumor.  Other tests can determine if she has some other disorder like polycystic ovarian syndrome.