Good day to you allA mom contacted me today while being very distressed about her situation. I searched in the archives but the situation is different, that is why I'm posting today.She gave me permission to postShe has a history of endometriosis and fertility problems. Also important to note that is is a young mom of about 30 years of age.She saw her Fertility/ Endometriosis specialist in this week , as she has been starting to get terrible pains again and also started experiencing hot flushes and night sweats. He did a scan as well as some blood tests. He told her that her body is in a state of menopause as she is hypo-estrogenic due to hyperprolactinaemia. She says that he is a strong advocate for breastfeeding and encourages it where possible but he said to her that for her, it is time to wean her baby, as he is taking more from her body than what her body can absorb through food. She has also lost a lot of weight. Her son is 10 months old and is also feeding often through the night.He has prescribed some supplements to take in the mean time but wants her to fully wean him within the next 2 weeks so she can start on hormone therapy.He said that she is at risk for secondary osteoporosis due to the estrogen deficiency.I had some questions and after speaking with her again she has said that he did not test prolactin levels as it was not necessary as the scan revealed that her ovaries and uterus were very small and that he also did a internal scan, vaginal swabbing and a pap smear. Apparently she has atrophic vaginitis due to estrogen deficiency.Before her pregnancy she was estrogen dominant with levels 4 times higher than normal. Now it is the complete opposite and she has less estrogen which is why she is having menopausal symptoms. He said that they could test the prolactin levels but in his experience he is very familiar with this scenario especially with infertility patients who have a low AMH (Anti Mullerian Hormone) He said he doesn't feel it is necessary to test prolactin levels because whether high levels are confirmed or not, they still have to treat the estrogen deficiency. He  speculated that the estrogen deficiency is due to hyperprolactinemia because of her previous pregnancy and current breastfeeding. It is the only thing that has changed.
This causes a lot of stress to this mom as the breast is her son's "only comfort and the only way he will go to sleep and stay asleep" (her words)She is worried that this will be very traumatic for both her and her baby. Do you perhaps have any thoughts on this? Is weaning the only solution? Or do you perhaps have any suggestions how she can manage weaning in such a short time to be not so traumatic?
Any thoughts will be appreciated. Warm regards

Ingrid Groenewald  Private Midwife: Sister Ingrid- care with a gentle touchIBCLC International Board Certified Lactation ConsultantWHYkids editor
GROEN ORGANIES: eet groen-drink groen- leef groen
C 082 789 3021www.sisteringrid.co.zawww.groenorganies.co.za  

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