Any Words of Wisdom?

Ms2011

Hi Ladies,
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar to what's happening to me or not happening should I
Basically I haven't had my period since the end of November. Now before anyone tells me to go to the doctor I have. I've had blood work done for liver / kidneys function, calcium levels, vitamin levels, testoserone, prolactin, hormone balance etc. and all came back fine or to quote my doctor "you are one healthy woman"!!!
I'm not looking for any medical advice just maybe anyone who might have had the same happen to them and then their period started in x amount of time, I just feel abit alone with this problem. I'd almost prefer if the blood tests did turn up something because at least I could have options but instead I've basically been told I just have to be patient but I've missed 2 periods and it is starting to bother me now more than it did before.
My doctor said I could go on the pill for a few months to 'reset' my cycle but I don't really want to mask a symptom if there is indeed something wrong???
Life with out periods isn't as much fun as it might sound
Anyone else have any similar experiences?

coffee_cake

Are you very stressed? It can affect so much! Or eating differently / enough?

Ms2011

bluewolf wrote: »

Are you very stressed? It can affect so much! Or eating differently / enough?

Not particularly, I am a getting a little worried now but it's not constantly on my mind. I just thought I'd have the blood tests, they'd see what was wrong with me and then I would get it fixed but now I am probably more confused then ever, if I'm completely healthy then where the heck has my period gone
I have cut out junk food since Christmas so I have lost 7lbs but nothing drastic, a pound here and a pound there.
I've gone through everything I can think of but I just can't come up with a reason for it.

coffee_cake

I duno, these things do just happen. I'm the worst for keeping dates though having been on and off the pill means I think I'm regular enough with it. I'd say we've all missed months though!
The catch 22 is that if you worry about it even more, it's even less likely to happen!

Ms2011

bluewolf wrote: »

I duno, these things do just happen. I'm the worst for keeping dates though having been on and off the pill means I think I'm regular enough with it. I'd say we've all missed months though!
The catch 22 is that if you worry about it even more, it's even less likely to happen!

Yeah when I came off the pill 2 - 2.5 years ago I was without a period for 3 months but I knew that that was fine it was just due to me coming off the pill. While my cycle wouldn't be the most regular I can usually predict it within a week or so of it arriving, I've never gone this long without a period not even when I was a teenager, I don't even have the symptoms I usually have that it's on its way.
Gonna try not stress myself out too much about it as it is just conterproductive. I'd really like to hear from anyone that this has happened to though, it might help reassure me that it is normal in an abnormal kinda way

Malari

+1 on the stress! It's a weird thing, sometimes you don't even know it's happening to you. I haven't have a very long gap between periods (unless I was worried about it) but I did have a lot of stomach problems in my early 20s.

Like you, I went to the doc and got bloods done, which came back fine. The doc asked a load of questions then announced it was stress. I thought that was silly, because I was fine, but he did a little digging and discovered that I was basically up at 7am every morning to get a lift for college, my final exams were approaching, I was working a part-time waitressing job and I was doing fieldwork for my thesis almost every spare minute, not to mention obligatory class parties! I was enjoying myself, sure, but my body was like "wooah girl!"

As soon as I thought about it and realised I was stressing my body, the stomach pains eased. As bluewolf said, the more you worry about the period the longer it will take to come. The body is a funny thing, you have to learn what it's trying to tell you!

sunflower27

Hi OP

A friend of mine had a similar problem. She was healthy but would only get her period say 4 times a year. She was very worried she would not be able to have children but she has 2 little ones now...

Are you underweight? Or have you lost a lot of weight recently?

Could you not ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist if it is really worrying you.

Princess Peach

Yup! Used to have the same problem. Doctor tested me for polycystic ovaries. Nothing came back in my blood tests, but she said it is possible that I have it and its just not a big issue at the moment so didn't show up on the tests. She also said its normal for some women to have a few months gaps between periods. Sometimes I would have one every month or so and sometimes could have about 3/4 months without one. She said that was fine.

She said I could go on the pill but there really was no medical reason for it. I went on it when I started having sex anyway so now I can control my period.

If your doctor's not worried I don't see any reason you should worry either! I do like being on the pill because at least now I know when my period will come, because I was so irregular before it could come at any time without warning.

Ms2011

Malari wrote: »

As soon as I thought about it and realised I was stressing my body, the stomach pains eased. As bluewolf said, the more you worry about the period the longer it will take to come. The body is a funny thing, you have to learn what it's trying to tell you!

It's funny you should mention stomach trouble because my stomach can be a bit woozy first thing in the morning or if I don't eat regularly, maybe it's linked to the same thing?
Definately gonna try relax more, might even use it as a reason for the OH to book us a nice holiday

I used to get my periods anywhere between 1.5 months to 5 months apart. It would be so annoying, worrying about my health, pregnancy etc.

I went to the doctor, she took a blood test to see if I had PCOS. They came back fine. I totally understand what you mean by wishing they had found something. I felt so frustrated, and worried that there could be something wrong that they couldn't find.

I didn't want to just mask the symptoms using the pill, I wanted to be fixed. In the end I did go on the pill, as I wasn't just getting irregular periods, but also during my period I would get severe pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweats, etc. I'd be bed ridden for the first day, writhing around on the bed in pain, crawling to the bathroom every 10 minutes. What's worse is I was living at home and my mum would get really freaked out to see me like that. Even though I was against it at first, I'm so glad I went on the pill, because it's completely changed my life. I had been having the symptoms since I was 11, and at 19 I could finally live my life without having to put everything on hold every time I got my period. I didn't have to worry, or miss college, or cancel on friends, or freak out my mum. The pill was a life saver imo.

Malari

Ms2011 wrote: »

It's funny you should mention stomach trouble because my stomach can be a bit woozy first thing in the morning or if I don't eat regularly, maybe it's linked to the same thing?
Definately gonna try relax more, might even use it as a reason for the OH to book us a nice holiday

Same with me - I always eat breakfast, my favourite meal of the day! And I snack regularly. Small stuff often. If I don't know where my next meal is coming from I get worried

Ms2011

sunflower27 wrote: »

Hi OP

A friend of mine had a similar problem. She was healthy but would only get her period say 4 times a year. She was very worried she would not be able to have children but she has 2 little ones now...

Are you underweight? Or have you lost a lot of weight recently?

Could you not ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist if it is really worrying you.

I keep track of mine so I know I've had 8 periods from January last year to my last one in November, I don't have a 28 day cycle more like a 40 days, it's reassuring that you friend still had 2 children though, that was one of my fears.
I'm not underweight, my BMI would be 24, I've lost 7lbs since Christmas by cutting out junk food but I lost it a bit at a time not all at once.
I'm going to leave it another month or so and if there is still no joy I will be going back to the doctor then.

Ms2011

Princess Peach wrote: »

Yup! Used to have the same problem. Doctor tested me for polycystic ovaries. Nothing came back in my blood tests, but she said it is possible that I have it and its just not a big issue at the moment so didn't show up on the tests. She also said its normal for some women to have a few months gaps between periods. Sometimes I would have one every month or so and sometimes could have about 3/4 months without one. She said that was fine.

She said I could go on the pill but there really was no medical reason for it. I went on it when I started having sex anyway so now I can control my period.

If your doctor's not worried I don't see any reason you should worry either! I do like being on the pill because at least now I know when my period will come, because I was so irregular before it could come at any time without warning.

At what age were you diagnosed, if you don't mind me asking? The reason I ask is I am 30 and other than my periods being a bit irregular I haven't had any other problems up until now, would this still be consistant with PCOS?

Ms2011

true-or-false wrote: »

I used to get my periods anywhere between 1.5 months to 5 months apart. It would be so annoying, worrying about my health, pregnancy etc.

I went to the doctor, she took a blood test to see if I had PCOS. They came back fine. I totally understand what you mean by wishing they had found something. I felt so frustrated, and worried that there could be something wrong that they couldn't find.

I didn't want to just mask the symptoms using the pill, I wanted to be fixed. In the end I did go on the pill, as I wasn't just getting irregular periods, but also during my period I would get severe pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweats, etc. I'd be bed ridden for the first day, writhing around on the bed in pain, crawling to the bathroom every 10 minutes. What's worse is I was living at home and my mum would get really freaked out to see me like that. Even though I was against it at first, I'm so glad I went on the pill, because it's completely changed my life. I had been having the symptoms since I was 11, and at 19 I could finally live my life without having to put everything on hold every time I got my period. I didn't have to worry, or miss college, or cancel on friends, or freak out my mum. The pill was a life saver imo.

I might consider the pill as it might end up being the best option. If I had painful, heavy or unusual periods the lack of a period might sit better with me but I've always sailed through them. The only pain was on the week up to them my breasts would be extremely sore but that would stop as soon as my period started.
Glad you're feeling better now, the pill can be a lifesaver at times

Ms2011

Malari wrote: »

Same with me - I always eat breakfast, my favourite meal of the day! And I snack regularly. Small stuff often. If I don't know where my next meal is coming from I get worried

Yep that's me, I'm feeling more reassured with every reply

ismiseuisce

I missed two periods in the summer. I think it was due to stress though, and a messed up sleeping pattern (I was losing out on a lot of sleep due to worry). I got back into a better sleeping pattern and the reason for my worries ended and the periods came back. It's amazing how "mental" things can affect your physical well-being. Hope you find out what's wrong and it gets better soon.:)

Maple

Ask for doctor to refer you for an ultrasound.

I went without a period for 6-7 months before I was diagnosed with PCOS.

I had requested blood tests in the March the year before as my hormone levels just felt "funny". According to my doctor they were "normal".

Fast forward a year and my period disappears off the face of the earth. After three seperate doctors telling me that this was "normal", my sister asked me to go back and ask my doctor to test me again for PCOS and insist on an ultrasound. When the blood tests came back as well as the ultrasound, she rechecked my results from the year previous and the LH level wasn't so normal after all.

The issue with blood tests is that depending on where you are in your cycle, dips and lows in your hormone levels might not be so obvious.

And I was 30 when I was diagnosed.

Ms2011

maple wrote: »

Ask for doctor to refer you for an ultrasound.

I went without a period for 6-7 months before I was diagnosed with PCOS.

I had requested blood tests in the March the year before as my hormone levels just felt "funny". According to my doctor they were "normal".

Fast forward a year and my period disappears off the face of the earth. After three seperate doctors telling me that this was "normal", my sister asked me to go back and ask my doctor to test me again for PCOS and insist on an ultrasound. When the blood tests came back as well as the ultrasound, she rechecked my results from the year previous and the LH level wasn't so normal after all.

The issue with blood tests is that depending on where you are in your cycle, dips and lows in your hormone levels might not be so obvious.

And I was 30 when I was diagnosed.

Gosh that's v.interesting. I was considering just going private for an ultrasound (so I don't have to wait), had even been pricing them (€120) but after getting my blood work back I didn't see any reason but going by what happened with you I think it would be worth my while. Do you know if you can just go and pay for one yourself or do you need a referal???

Neyite

I have a prolactinoma, which didnt affect my periods except to shorten the cycle, but prolactin was tested several times and was sometimes marginally raised, then high, then one day totally normal. But prolactin levels as well as other hormones fluctuate wildly during your cycle, so its worth getting checked blood wise a couple more times. I was diagnosed through blood tests on day 3-7 of cycle and again past ovulation usually after day 21 or before your next period. this was repeated 3 times, then had a transvag ultrasound, HSG, and MRI before the diagnoisis was confimed.
Ironically the day they found the prolactinoma on the MRI, my prolactin bloods for that exact day came back 'normal'. Prolactins more obvious symptoms are lack of periods, milk production from boobs, sore swollen boobs but dont happen all the time. I had no symptoms.

Ms2011

Neyite wrote: »

I have a prolactinoma, which didnt affect my periods except to shorten the cycle, but prolactin was tested several times and was sometimes marginally raised, then high, then one day totally normal. But prolactin levels as well as other hormones fluctuate wildly during your cycle, so its worth getting checked blood wise a couple more times. I was diagnosed through blood tests on day 3-7 of cycle and again past ovulation usually after day 21 or before your next period. this was repeated 3 times, then had a transvag ultrasound, HSG, and MRI before the diagnoisis was confimed.
Ironically the day they found the prolactinoma on the MRI, my prolactin bloods for that exact day came back 'normal'. Prolactins more obvious symptoms are lack of periods, milk production from boobs, sore swollen boobs but dont happen all the time. I had no symptoms.

Thanks for the reply Neyite. How do you test on specific days off your cycle, without a period wouldn't it be hard to tell what day you are on???

Stheno

Ms2011 wrote: »

Do you know if you can just go and pay for one yourself or do you need a referal???

You need a referral from a GP. If you are anywhere near Dublin I thoroughly recommend St. James Private if you are going private, truly lovely professionals working there, I've never been in any other clinic where I have felt so looked after and treated very well.

Neyite

Ms2011 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Neyite. How do you test on specific days off your cycle, without a period wouldn't it be hard to tell what day you are on???

... Sorry, didnt think abou that. I went into the doc for "trying to concieve" bloods. I was getting periods so didnt know I had it at all.

With this, if you have no periods then the doctor will test a few times - I got about 7 blood tests in all before I got referred for the MRI, each time prolactin was high except the last bloods.

Princess Peach

Ms2011 wrote: »

At what age were you diagnosed, if you don't mind me asking? The reason I ask is I am 30 and other than my periods being a bit irregular I haven't had any other problems up until now, would this still be consistant with PCOS?

Well I wasn't actually diagnosed with anything. I've always had irregular periods and just got a bit worried about it so took the blood test. I was 21 at the time. I don't really know much about PCOS, I'm not sure how quickly it develops for symptoms to show up.

pow wow

Mine vanished totally and have been naturally absent for some time now. One pregnancy test later my GP said it was most likely my PCOS which I've had for years but hadn't caused cycle problems in ages. My consultant in hospital said it's healthier to menstruate every 3 months at least so now I take Primolut N 4 times a year to induce a bleed (sorry for being graphic!!).

Very often all they need is a kickstart to sort of reset themselves. At the same time if your doctor isn't worried I wouldn't get too worked up over it, especially if stress may be playing a part.

_Whimsical_

Ms2011 wrote: »

Hi Ladies,
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar to what's happening to me or not happening should I
Basically I haven't had my period since the end of November. Now before anyone tells me to go to the doctor I have. I've had blood work done for liver / kidneys function, calcium levels, vitamin levels, testoserone, prolactin, hormone balance etc. and all came back fine or to quote my doctor "you are one healthy woman"!!!
I'm not looking for any medical advice just maybe anyone who might have had the same happen to them and then their period started in x amount of time, I just feel abit alone with this problem. I'd almost prefer if the blood tests did turn up something because at least I could have options but instead I've basically been told I just have to be patient but I've missed 2 periods and it is starting to bother me now more than it did before.
My doctor said I could go on the pill for a few months to 'reset' my cycle but I don't really want to mask a symptom if there is indeed something wrong???
Life with out periods isn't as much fun as it might sound
Anyone else have any similar experiences?

Me!

It happened to me once for around 4 months when I was 20. I had blood tests etc like you and all came back fine. The Dr I saw told me it had happened once to her for 18 monthss and that it happened all the time to women for no discernible reason and that their periods almost always returned within 6 months to a year. I was really worried about it at the time too. In the end it just arrived as normal one day out of the blue and I've had a completely normal 28 day cycle for years since then.

My advice would be not to stress out over it and let nature take it's course.The Dr thinks youre healthy so let that be your cue to relax over it. Don't be trying to make an internet diagnosis on yourself. Make sure you aren't on any restrictive diet too as weight loss and being overly thin for your body can effect it too.

Ms2011

Thanks so much for all the replies, I really appreciate them, it's been really good to talk this through with people with similar experiences.

I've been having a think and I think I've 3 options:
1. Wait and see if my periods show up on their own.
2. Take a course of the pill to jump start things.
3. Get an ultrasound done to see if there is anything amiss going on in there.


I emailed an private ultrasound place in Blackrock for some information and they replied:
A pelvic ultrasound is always a good thing to have if you have never had one. It can tell us a lot about the uterus and ovaries. It may not reveal the reason your cycle is late but it does offer reassurance that everything is normal.
You don't have to have a doctor's request form but we would need your doctor's name to send the report to in case we need to. As a courtesy we suggest that you call your doctor to inform them that you are having a pelvic ultrasound and to expect a report.

The ultrasound is €145, it examines:
Bladder
Appendix when indicated
Endometrium
Uterine arteries and other fertility assessment requirements
Kidneys and Aorta
Gynaecological ( uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries)

It's quite an expense but if it shows up something or simply puts my mind at ease so I can relax, would it be worth it???

Ms2011

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

It happened to me once for around 4 months when I was 20. I had blood tests etc like you and all came back fine. The Dr I saw told me it had happened once to her for 18 monthss and that it happened all the time to women for no discernible reason and that their periods almost always returned within 6 months to a year. I was really worried about it at the time too. In the end it just arrived as normal one day out of the blue and I've had a completely normal 28 day cycle for years since then.

Thanks for the reply Whimsical, it is really reassuring to know that even after this blip in my cycle there is hope that things can go back to normal.

pow wow

Re. the ultrasound, it's really personal choice and if it's going to put your mind at rest then it may very well be worth every cent. All I would say is that if it were PCOS this doesn't always show up on pelvic ultrasounds as not everyone with PCOS actually has cysts on their ovaries (the term refers to an amalgamation of related symptoms which may or may not include cysts on the ovaries).

Ms2011

Well good news, I got my periods this morning
I'm so relieved, I was never so happy to see it in my life
Thanks everyone for all your replies and reassuring words, I can only think that they helped calm me down and as soon as I did along came my period
So once again, thank you!!!