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Could fainting in perimenopause be hormonal?

by KD
(MI)

I’m 52 and nearing (I think!) menopause, but not there yet.

Relevant history: hysterectomy at age 49 due to chocolate cyst on right ovary. Kept left ovary. Also learned I have severe endometriosis (yes, I told doctors for 25 years how much pain I was in every month). They cleaned out as much endo as they could, but some was too close to bowel and bladder.

6 months post surgery, I get vaginal spotting. And then again a month later. Finally got examined on a day when it was occurring and they determined that a small amount of endometrial tissue was accidentally included in the stitches of my vaginal cuff. So, get this, although I have no uterus, I get spotting at my period time. I’ve come to appreciate this error as a gift because even post surgery I’m able to tell how often I am cycling. These days it’s about every 3-4 months that I see this spotting.

In the past 8 months (age 51), I have had 2 unexplained loss of consciousness incidents. One in December, one in August. Both were a couple of hours after lunch while working at my desk. It happens quick. I feel off for about two seconds and then I’m out. I come back quickly but then am shaky and exhausted for hours. Both times I’ve gone to the ER, they do all the tests and proclaim me the picture of perfect health. Neurologists have tried to induce seizures and nothing. I’ve had two echos of my heart and functionally it looks beautiful. My blood sugar is also great, and after the most recent incident, I immediately tested my blood sugar and it was 102, so that rules out it being a low blood sugar event.

I am wondering if hormones could be at play. In December, I had (very atypical for me) panicky feelings for several days before the incident. 14 days after the incident, I had the spotting I mentioned (after not having it for 5 months prior). I did see the spotting again in March. Then everything was fine/great (and no more cycles) until August. 5 days before the incident I was crazy PMS irrational, 2 days before the incident I had the spotting.

Every doctor seems to think I’m crazy to suggest that hormones might be a factor? But there don’t seem to be other explanations either. I will be seeing a cardiologist to look for a possible arrhythmia.

I did start getting hot flashes (mainly night sweats) in November. Started nightly vitamin E in January and those completely stopped within 2 days and have not returned. But I was still having occasional panicky for no reason feelings (like a sudden adrenaline rush but with no cause), so then I started on 100 mg of Prometrium at bedtime and that went away completely. Since starting Prometrium I have felt great, until August when I fainted at my desk again.

If anyone has any ideas, I would love to hear them. I have seen my doctor, will see my OBGYN, and will see cardiologist but I know that none of them are going to look at me as a whole system, so I have to do that for myself. I appreciate anyone who has read this far!

Comments for Could fainting in perimenopause be hormonal?

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Aug 07, 2023
 Could fainting in perimenopause be hormonal?
by: Joy

Hi KD

You went into Menopause the moment you had your hysterectomy, whether it be a partial one or a full one. Hot Flushes are part and parcel of menopause unfortunately. I am surprised the vitamin E helped but be prepared for them to return.

I am not sure how severe it was for you. Did it actually warrant a hysterectomy? Chocolate Cysts, sometimes called endometrial cysts, are found in women who have Endometriosis. Endo is caused by oxidative stress, often a lack of Vitamin D3 and other antioxidants is behind it. It is stimulated by estrogen, a pro-inflammatory hormone, there is always a low level of progesterone. You need to deal with your Inflammation which you still have. Eat lots of fermented foods. The correct use of progesterone would have helped you greatly. Unfortunately you were not advised correctly on the use of progesterone. Please read How to use Progesterone Cream.

You should not be bleeding at all at least from your uterus as you had that removed! Often when in menopause a woman will experience a bled to two on the onset, but not as you are experiencing. May I suggest that you get a second or third option on this, this is not normal.

My immediate thought regarding your fainting episodes was blood sugar and possible epilepsy/seizures. Did they test for catamenial epilepsy? However you have ruled both out according to tests done. Excess estrogen in relation to progesterone can cause issues see here which could explain your fainting episodes. So I disagree with what the doctors advised.

Please read the Anxiety page and consider taking some of the calming nutrients mentioned. I suspect that the Prometrium prescribed was oral which is not the best Delivery Method as around 96% gets destroyed by the gut and liver see here. This now aggravates estrogen receptors making Estrogen Dominance symptoms worse. Not what any woman needs and is making your situation worse. Progesterone must also be used no less than twice a day otherwise levels spike, again refer to the How to use Progesterone Cream page. Please consider using a good organic progesterone cream such as Natpro. Usually between 100-200mg per day is needed, more if symptoms are severe. Use half the amount in the morning and the other half at night.

Please make sure that your Vitamin D3 level is optimal. I suspect your level is low. A deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone and is connected to every single function cell in our bodies making it vital. Cofactors are equally important.

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