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Irregular Periods Linked to Brain Tumor
5 Feb
Summary
- Irregular periods for 13 years were traced to a brain tumor.
- The tumor was on the pituitary gland affecting hormone levels.
- Medication is shrinking the tumor and normalizing periods.
Livia McNee, a 27-year-old civil servant from London, experienced irregular periods for over a decade, initially attributed to endometriosis. However, even after surgery for endometriosis, her menstrual cycle remained unpredictable.
In November 2024, a private blood test revealed abnormally high hormone levels, including prolactin, prompting further investigation. Several months later, McNee received the diagnosis: a brain tumor located on her pituitary gland.
This non-cancerous tumor was overproducing prolactin, disrupting her menstrual cycle and fertility. While many pituitary tumors are asymptomatic, McNee's case highlights a potential link between irregular periods and these growths.
Fortunately, treatment with medication, specifically cabergoline, has proven effective. This medication is shrinking the tumor and has helped restore her periods to a normal pattern. McNee also notes experiencing common side effects like nausea from the medication.
