When I was 8 my bone age was 13 and I was destined to be very tall. In the 60's being over six feet tall was considered freakish and might get in the way of "getting a husband" which of course was the goal. Ugh. Nevertheless, the doctors projected I could be as tall as 6'3" but at the very least 6' 1", which was a big concern to everyone but me.
I threw the pills out, tried to not take them but was FORCED to take them for at least 3 years. The goal was to induce puberty so my bone would grow together earlier than my natural growth, thus eliminating the worry of being over 6' tall. I ended up at 5' 10" and am curious to know if anyone else out there took Premarin for the same reason when they were young. Any long term effects? Any feedback?
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I too was given Estrogen and Premarin from age 10-13 and was also guesstimated to be approximately 6'3". Now at 46 and 5'10", I am very happy with my height but so worried about the long term effects. They chose not to study us which is unfortunate. My brother did the same hormone treatment with Testosterone and was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 40 and passed at 44. With no family history, it really makes me wonder. Breast cancer runs in my family (all women have been digagnosed but me) so I feel like my parents may have signed my death sentence.
April 9, 2015 - 8:48pmThis Comment
Martagirl--Like you, I was forced to take the Premarin by my 6' tall mother who was way more concerned about my height than I ever was! I have to believe my mother had good intentions--hated being tall and didn't want me to face any difficult aspects of that--but it ended up making me different in another way. taking hormones at a young age had short term side effects (embarrassment, depression, weight gain, feeling not good enough for my mother the way I was) and long term side effects (infertility, breast cancer). All of this just to be shorter! Stupid! Unbelievable to me that a mother would do this to her child and that a doctor would prescribe this for a child!
January 21, 2015 - 10:09amThis Comment
I have very tall parents, father 6'7" and mother 6'. When I was younger I went each year to get a bone age x-ray. Finally at 15 years old and in 10th grade, 5'10" and no menstual cycle, the doctor prescribed Premarin. I took it for two years and am presently 6'1" and 49 years old.
May 2, 2014 - 1:16pmI have 2 daughters. Their father is 6'3" and I was concerned they too would be extremely tall. My oldest daughter also had her bone growth charted, but we decided not to intervene. She is 21 years and 6' tall. Her younger sister is 19 and 5'9".
I have no choice but to be okay with my height now, but hated the lack of tall men. And the comments... I find shopping for pants difficult and the proportions of certain styles frustrating. Would love to have a pair of fun chunky platforms but am resigned to flats and kitten heels. Happy I am not taller, not sure how much the Premarin had to do with stunting my growth.
I am more concerned about the long term effects of taking estrogen at such an early age. I am going in next week for CT scan to follow the ultrasound of possible ovarian cancer. CA 125 test should be given to all of those prescribed Premarin to start menstrual cycles to inhibit growth. I asked at my yearly exam for the test and the OB said it was usually only for those who have a family history of ovarian cancer. I have no family history of that. She agreed to request the blood test CA 125 and my when she received the results, my levels were above the normal range. Wondering if there is a link between the use of Premarin and the potential of ovarian cancer?
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I have read this treatment is linked to breast cancer and it makes sense it would be linked to ovarian cancer, too, although I don't know of any studies/research on that. It's a great idea for those of us who took high doses of estrogen to get the CA 125 test--had never thought of that--thanks for posting! How did your test results turn out? I had fertility issues and stage 2 breast cancer--may never know how much was caused by taking Premarin as a pre-teen/teen.
January 21, 2015 - 10:01amThis Comment
Was prescribed the same thing when I was 12-14 , now 53. Was worried to be 6' or more and ended up at 5'10. Unsure of any side effects, and yes 6' then as a woman was made fun of, as it still is now unless you are beautiful or unbelievable at b ball or volleyball. I am not sorry I took it, just findimg clothes for 5,10" has always been a nightmare, BUT I am very glad being a tall girl over 5' 10 is now so much more acceptable. I have a daughter who is 5'9" and because of what I went through...shortage of tall guys to choose from, clothes, stares, comments, etc, I am glad she is 'only' 5'9"...some people find that tall, lol. The great thing is that she is not going thru any bad experiences for it like I did. Society has changed for the better. If she was 6' or more, she would have been fine about it. We are products of our time.
October 14, 2012 - 9:32pmThis Comment
Hello martagirl,
I found your story interesting. I look forward to any responses you will get from other women who have undergone the same use of Premarin.
Maryann
September 7, 2012 - 4:15pmThis Comment