13 y/o Daughter with CP and started monthly cycle - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

angie123456 · 10-29-2007, 08:30 AM

My daughter is 13 years old, and has CP. She is able to walk and all on her own. Gets around very well. She is developmentally at about a preschool age though. She JUST started her period this past weekend. Something I have been worried/scared about for a long time. I tried to explain it to her the best I could. She isn't able to take care of it herself, so of course I helped her. (Putting the pad in her panties, etc) Her teachers are awesome and will take care of her while she is in school.
My question is. Are there options out there for her? As far as to not have the periods. She won't be able to care for a child, so wouldn't want her to worry about ever getting pregnant. BUT, if there is a way to lessen, or stop all the periods. I've heard numerous times about parents getting their child a partial hysterectomy. Is that an option, and do very many doctors do that?
We talked about this some with her Developmental Specialist, and they told us that once she finally DOES have her period, they will send us to the Adolescent Specialist. Well, of course, no appts for a few months at least. But just like an idea of what our options might be, just to make things easier for her. Thanks.

Steffers2318 · 11-01-2007, 12:30 PM

Well, let me say that I logically understand what you are saying and why you are saying it. But "forcing" someone to have a hysterectomy seems kind of barbaric to me...not to mention that there are a lot of problems that come with losing your hormone production.

I know that there is the birth control shot, that you get every three months, that stops periods...but there are problems with that as well, like it decreases bone density.

Good luck with whatever advice you get from the doctors.

KarimsMUM · 11-02-2007, 04:37 AM

I'm sorry i have no advice to give you but just thought i'd make mention of the injection. The Depopravera does not always stop periods, mine stopped for about a year then started again. It is the same with implanon, they stopped for about 6 months then started again much more strongly. I have to say you are brave to consider the hysterectomy. I competely understand where you are coming from and and if I was in your position as a mother I would probably consider it too.
Good luck with your decision. This must be such an overwheming time for both you and your daughter.

angie123456 · 11-05-2007, 08:57 AM

In regards to the comment about:
"not to mention that there are a lot of problems that come with losing your hormone production."
That is why I mentioned partial hysterectomy. I myself had a partial hysterectomy, so I still have my ovaries. So I do not require hormone pills, and my hormone production is not changed at all. I just had my uterus and cervix removed, and the periods have completely stopped.
I don't see this as being mean or extreme. The way that my daughter is affect from the CP, she wouldn't be able to handle having a child, raising a child, etc. I am just trying to make her life a little less hectic/stressful without having to deal with something that she doesn't even understand.
I had looked into certain birth control pills and the shot as well, but when I used those forms, I had a lot of the negative side effects.
We just got a call today that our Pediatrician is sending us to a Pediatric Gynocologist, so that will sure help.

Robin4007 · 11-05-2007, 08:21 PM

Hi There!

My name is Robin and I have spastic/right sided hemi CP. In the past my mencies have been horrid for me to the point of me almost fainting from me losing so much blood.

I'm 47 years old and about 2 years ago I had a procedure done called the Uterine Balloon Therapy. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post websites here so I'll just explain it. It's an out patient procedure and is done under antistesia (sp) and takes about 20 minutes. They take a balloon and blow it up inside your uterus and then they put real warm water up there then they scrape the uterine wall, and from that for most women it takes thier periods away FOREVER, its awesome!!!

Anyway, I sit in a wheelchair all day and I'm not able to walk so periods were really unpleasant for me and so obvious beings I sat all the time and people could tell I had something on and it was really embarrassing. I tell ya if I had to do all over again I'd do it in a heartbeat. So that could be an option for your daughter. Now with her being so young and just starting with it I'm not sure if the doc would consider it but its worth a try. Just google "Uterine Balloon Therapy and see what comes up. Good Luck.

Robin