women/ladies - is this serious?
i've been hesitant to post about this, but this is really a last resort..
ok, so i haven't had my period in quite a while, maybe like 6 months.
i went to the gyno and she put me on 10 days of pills to get my period back, but that was about two months ago and i still haven't had one. I'm really really scared and worried that i won't be able to have children.. which is something i've always looked forward to in my life. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or explanation about this.. My doctor even did blood work and everything came back completely normal, i'm full of energy, thick hair, etc. etc.
-i do not have an eating disorder, i eat a really varied diet with tons of different fruits, vegs, and lean protein(beans and nuts mostly)
-i'm a runner, but not excessive, maybe 15 miles a week on average
-i'm not underweight. i'm 5'3 110-112 lbs. and my weight is stable
I feel like i'm running out of options. One thing in the back of my mind is soy consumption. I don't go all out or anything, but i do use about a gallon of soymilk a week. Maybe I should cut back? Does soy even affect periods?
did any of your doctors say anything about it causing any fertility problems in the future?
i just found it strange that the pills i was taking to induce a period didn't work.
Hi, rachlove2.
Did your doctor mention any thing like Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome? It can have an effect on your period, but regular doctors usually don't test for it because it is an endocrine problem. You might not fit all the criteria of a person who has this condition, but it is still worth checking out and discussing with your doctor.
Issues with your thyroid can have similar effects on your period, but go unnoticed because they aren't regularly tested for, especially in seemingly healthy young people.
If you're under alot of stress, mental or physical, your period may be delayed.
Everybody is different, and reacts to stress differently. What exactly did your gyno say when she gave you the pills? Did she mention what she thought was wrong?
Yes, calm down. Stress makes your body freak out. My period disappeared for about 6 months a while back. I don't really know why. I waited it out (fear of docs), and it came back on its own. I had 2 normal cycles, then ended up preggers. And Hubby and I were *relatively* careful. So don't stress about your future fertility just yet. And if you keep worrying, see another doctor. Hugs!
stress.. i didn't really think about that.. it could definitely be that, my family just moved to georgia for my senior year of high school and now i'm about to move away again for college. so that could definitely be it. i wasn't prescribec birth control. it was progesterone or something like that i think.
danucal, my gyno guessed it could be my vegan diet, but as was mentioned in another recent thread, that is the go-to excuse for doctors when dealing with vegans. she did check my thyroid, and it was normal also. my mom's a nurse and thought it was poly-cystic ovarian syndrome.
thanks for easing my mind, guys
I had the opposite happen to me a few years ago (I had it for 3 weeks!) and thought soy was the culprit because it contains estrogen. When I mentioned this to my doctor she said excessive soy would make it go away. So you could be on to something...
Do you eat a lot of raw foods? I noticed after going vegan that my cramps basically disappeared and everything just got better (shorter, lighter) so I researched if that was perhaps linked to veganism. I found that it likely is related, and I also found that some vegans lost their periods, and lots of raw foodists lost it as well. From what I read this did not have any impact on their ability to have children so hopefully that is the same for you. :)
I had a similar issue when I was around 25, my period just disappeared... I honestly DIDNT think I was under any stress..but I guess I really was, and looking back now, wow..I was dealing with ALOT!! I went on a week long vacation by myself to the beach with not a care in the world..and on my drive home, guess what..it showed up..just like that.
Before my vacation I had tons of tests done, PCOS test, intra-vaginal ultra sound, blood work etc. They even put me back on the pill and like you it did nothng. My closest friend was pregnant at the time and my Dr. chalked it up to a "sympathy" pregnancy (we were very close, together every day). My Dr. was at a total loss.
Its' been completely normal ever since. I don't know if It's had any effect on my fertility as we've chosen not to have children.
I could be wrong, but it sounds like Secondary Amenorrhea which could be caused by a number of factors including contraceptives, low body fat, excessive exercise, diet changes, anxiety, stress and depressoin.
Read on ... the article I pasted below is from http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_amenor_crs.htm
Missed Menstrual Periods (Amenorrhea)
What is amenorrhea?
The absence of periods or menstrual flow is called amenorrhea. Amenorrhea may be either primary or secondary. Primary amenorrhea is not having menstrual periods by the age of 16. Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of 3 or more periods in a row in a woman who has had regular menstrual periods.
How does it occur?
Menstruation requires that the uterus, cervix (opening to the uterus), vagina, and ovaries be normal and healthy. The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, both located in the brain, must also be functioning properly. A problem with any of these parts of the body may keep you from having a period.
Secondary amenorrhea
The most common cause of secondary amenorrhea is pregnancy. Sometimes a breast-feeding mother may not have menstrual periods. Periods may also take 3 months or longer to resume after a woman stops taking birth control pills or stops nursing.
Secondary amenorrhea may also result from:
an ovary that stops working before menopause
emotional stress
brain injury
tumor in the brain (pituitary gland), ovary, or adrenal gland, or a cyst in the ovary
pseudocyesis (when a woman is convinced she is pregnant, but is not)
depression
thyroid problems, such as on underactive or overactive thyroid gland
malnutrition
polycystic ovary
vigorous exercise, such as daily or long-distance running
increased production of the hormone prolactin by the pituitary gland
drugs, such as tranquilizers and antidepressants
rapid weight gain or loss
chemotherapy
chronic illness (for example, kidney failure, cystic fibrosis, and colitis)
radiation therapy (especially in the pelvic area)
Asherman's syndrome, which is scarring of the lining resulting from an infection or surgery such as a D&C (dilation and curettage)
heavy smoking, in some cases.
Long lapses between periods, lasting 6 months or longer, are common with ongoing physical stress. This is particularly the case if you have lost a lot of weight, as with anorexia. It may also happen if you have little or no body fat, as is true for some women athletes.
Permanent secondary amenorrhea occurs after menopause. Most women go through menopause between ages 45 and 55. Sometimes menopause occurs earlier, even before the age of 40. Periods also stop after a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).
What are the symptoms?
Not having menstrual periods is a symptom, not a disease. Other symptoms depend on what is causing the amenorrhea. For example, if you have a hormone imbalance, you may have a lot of body and facial hair, acne, breast milk secretions, a change in voice or sex drive, weight gain, or weight loss.
How is it diagnosed?
Though rarely due to a life-threatening cause, amenorrhea can be a fairly complicated problem. It takes time and working closely with your health care provider to diagnose the cause and to treat it.
Your provider will ask about your medical history and give you a thorough physical exam, including a pelvic exam. Your provider may order blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound scans, CT scans, or chromosome studies.
How is it treated?
The treatment depends on the cause. If you have no other symptoms or signs besides the absence of periods, you may not need treatment. If you are overweight, a diet and exercise program may restore your menstrual periods. Learning to manage stress at school or work and decreasing excessive physical exercise may also help.
In some cases your provider may prescribe birth control pills or other forms of hormones to restore hormone balance.
Surgery may be necessary if you have tumors or cysts in your ovaries or uterus. You may also need surgery if your vagina is shaped abnormally or has no opening.
How long will the effects last?
Amenorrhea after a hysterectomy or menopause is permanent.
Amenorrhea after you stop taking birth control pills usually lasts for 6 to 8 weeks, but it may last a year or longer.
If unusual stress or an illness has temporarily interrupted the hormone cycle, your periods should start again naturally, although how long you will go without periods cannot be predicted.
Untreated amenorrhea can result in decreased bone mineral density or osteoporosis, infertility, and other health problems.
How can I take care of myself?
If you miss more than 2 periods in a row, see your health care provider. Tell your provider about any medicine you are taking, both prescription and nonprescription.
If your periods are irregular, keep a record of the dates that they start, how long they last, the amount of menstrual flow, and any symptoms.
If you have no periods at all, try to remember and record when your last period occurred, how long it lasted, and the amount of menstrual flow.
Try to find out if there is any family history of a problem similar to yours.
Follow your provider's recommendations closely.
What can be done to help prevent amenorrhea?
To prevent amenorrhea from recurring, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle:
Make changes in your diet or activities to maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid excessive use of alcohol and mood-altering stimulants or sedative drugs.
Don't smoke.
Think about the areas of emotional stress and conflict in your life. If you feel that you cannot resolve these conflicts on your own, ask for help from family, friends, or health professionals.
Be moderate in all your activities. Try to balance your work, recreation, and rest.
Maintain a positive outlook. This problem can often be corrected.
Developed by McKesson Provider Technologies.
Published by McKesson Provider Technologies.
Last modified: 2005-10-06
Last reviewed: 2005-02-21
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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Yeah, this happens to a lot of women from time to time - often stress related - both from physical stress (running, calorie restriction, malnutrition) and mental stress (exams at school, moving, etc).
Most military women experience this in basic training - and 15 miles of running a week is about the same level that they train at (depending on branch - some do much more). I don't think they have any higher infertility than other women in subsequent years - but then, the situation usually only lasts 2-3 cycles - not for years.
Take care of yourself - rest, eat, don't exercise too much. If my body acts this way, I take it as a message that I am overstressing it, and I back off.
I don't think there is any need to worry, but I would also take it as a kindly hint from my body to baby it a little more. :)
I was going to post a similar thread a while back, but chickened out. Rachlove2, sorry, I'm not trying to hijack your thread, but you gave me a good chance to post my situation.
I was on the depo shot since last January (2006) because it was part of the treatment for my surgery for Endo in December (2005). I was on it for 9 months as suggested by my doc (to give my insides time to heel without a cycle). My last shot was in October (2006).
I had a normal cycle before the shot (although very painful because of the Endo).The shot completely stopped it (except for some spotting here and there). And I became Vegan in August (2006). Here it is, middle of April, and my cycle hasn't returned.
Do you gals think it's a combo of my body still being out of wack from the shot, and my diet?
hey rachlove2, if you've been to your dr. and she says everything is fine, it probably is. in any case, i doubt your missing period is related to your diet: both of my 2 closest girlfriends will sometimes lose their periods for months at a time (one didn't have one for over a year, once), and NEITHER of them is a vegan. they both think it's stress that does it, although they aren't sure because it will sometimes happen when they don't feel unusually stressed... anyway, you shouldn't freak out because this happens to a lot of women and i've never heard of it having anything to do with fertility! just try to relax and your period will probably come back in its own good time.
KarateKid, my twin was on the Depo shot for a while. When she got off it she didn't have her period again for over a year still. So I wouldn't worry yourself about it. It'll come back. The more you worry about it the more stress you're causing yourself and throwing it off. ;)
depo can cause a lot of changes in your body. be sure to get a bone density check as depo has been linked with low bone density recently.
I had the same problem about 6 months ago. I didn't have a period for almost 3 months, my doctor prescribed the med to cause me to have my period - it worked but the next month I had no period again. It did come back on it's own but my cycles are very long - usually 40-45 days. I was on Depo Provera for almost 4 years and it took my body around a year to get back to semi-normal.
I have heard a few anecdotal accounts of veganism being a near-cure for endometriosis (symptoms reducing from 3 weeks out of 4 to one week out of 4)- I'm very hopeful, KK, that you might see a substantial improvement in symptoms since you went vegan during treatment - that's wonderful! :)
do not fret.... at least not yet.
i had a similar situation for quite a few years (alas no longer).
I was on a birth control pill & started skipping the "blanks" & my period just dissapeared! Not really funny when you're the one missing it i suppose...
So i went to 3 different OBGYN'S that asked me "do you miss it"? Had all sorts of blood work, tests, etc etc done...
Fast forward to now & I have been pill free & everything is somewhat back to normal.
You must look into your stress levels... Sounds like you eat right & are generally healthy. If your OBGYN thinks you're OK, I'd go with it for a bit. If your gut tells you something different- go for a 2nd opinion.
xxm
your case is different. your ob/gyns shouldn't have been puzzled by this. (maybe they figured they could make a few extra bucks with all of the blood tests they ordered you to have) you had no physical problem that was making you not have periods, you were in a state of "pharmaceutical-induced amenorhea". if you skip the blanks (or sugar pills, usually white or red) you will not get your period that time. it kind of staves off your period by keeping the hormones a-flowin', which means you will never get to the next step in your cycle, which is your actual period. so, that is why your period disappeared until you stopped taking the pill. a lot of women use this strategy to "reschedule" their periods if it will fall on their honeymoon or vacation, etc. it is generally considered harmless. most doctors will tell you that it won't hurt you to do that every once in a while.
missing your period when there are no pharmaceuticals involved is never normal. there is always some cause, but it can be hard to find. also, there are birth control pills which are progesterone-only, so that is probably what your doctor gave you. they are prescribed to women who are breastfeeding, among other reasons.
fiona
I have heard a few anecdotal accounts of veganism being a near-cure for endometriosis (symptoms reducing from 3 weeks out of 4 to one week out of 4)- I'm very hopeful, KK, that you might see a substantial improvement in symptoms since you went vegan during treatment - that's wonderful! :)
Thanks Anna. I heard the same thing a while back about veganism and Endo. I can't tell if it helped or not yet, because I haven't had a period. But, hopefully my diet will help (or it has and I don't know it yet LOL).
hey must runners dont have periods from excersing bought their eggs are able to be fertilized by a sperm so if your normal don't fret be grateful as many women shall say
That is SO NOT true gotskates. A lot of runners DO lose their periods, but that does NOT mean that it's ok!!! It may seem convenient not to get a period, but it isn't healthy....in most cases, it means that you aren't making enough estrogen, and therefore, you risk losing bone density.
They used to say that vegetarian diets contributed to amenhorrea in female athletes. Most professionals no longer believe that this is the case; they now say that low energy consumption--too few calories--is the culprit. A fair number of women with eating disorders describe themselves as vegetarians (it's convenient--it explains why they refuse to eat so many foods)--and unintentionally confound research results.
I run 60-75 miles per week when I'm in full training mode (not tapering for an important race), and I get my period naturally. So I definitely don't think that sheer mileage is the culprit in your case, especially since your mileage is pretty low.
Make sure that you're eating enough fat---I feel like it's really easy to load up on carbs and protein and neglect fat sources without realizing that anything is amiss nutritionally.
and btw, usually a 3-month cycle of birth control pills (NOT just 10 days) is recommended to kick-start a period. it worked for me when I was missing mine.
Also, maybe you should get your estrogen levels checked?
Well I suppose I really need a vacation then... I have not had a period in nearly a year. I am not on birth control, or any other medications. I am a healthy weight, but I do exercise a lot... When I saw my OB a few weeks ago, she wanted to pump me full of all kinds of hormones, which I told her I was refusing to take... She basically rolled her eyes, called me non-compliant, and needless to say I won't be returning there... When I saw my primary care physician last week since I was not feeling well he seemed quite alarmed that I have not had a period in so long. I know I do not have PCOS... I have done research on this and I am studying medicine (nursing school), and from what I have learned its most likely stress related, be it either physical or emotional... I am not going to worry yet... Although I will consider seeing a naturopathic doctor in the next couple of months if things stay this way...
110 is not super low but is pretty low for 5'3... depending on your frame and build, of course. I'm am 5'3 with a medium/large frame, lots of muscle - 110 would be way too low for me. I am just right at about 130-135 - though I am over that now by about 20 pounds, yuck yuck yuck. 5'3 with a slight frame, not so much muscle, would be another story. So just giving us the number you weigh and your height isn't the whole story.
The running is not *too* excessive, but often a woman in fertility treatment will be told not to run more than 10 miles a week, so 15 miles could be a factor.
Have you had your body fat tested? Low body fat levels could be the culprit - even with "normal" weight your body fat can be too low.
rachlove2: Okay, I'm glad your doctor did the thyroid tests on you. That rules out a significant factor. And your mom's a nurse, which is great. Hopefully you can rule out the PCOS too.
I guess I'm one of the few posters who thinks this could potentially be more serious than stress. Six months is a long time. I was diagnosed with both PCOS and a thyroid disorder when I was 11, so maybe that's why I'm more worried. I also lost my period for a long time. Finally my mom took me to the doctor. They didn't find anything until they were finally convinced to do specific endocrine tests. I was put on birth control, which didn't work. But I also had other body issues, so to this day my periods are scattered..
Yinzermama may be on to something with the body fat issue, though..
I'm sorry I can't be of more help to you, but I don't want to give you medical misinformation either. If you are healthy, at a proper weight, eat well, and have had all the tests done, then this shouldn't be happening. Stress shouldn't be bad enough to stop your body from functioning normally either; although it can get that bad, and as was mentioned before, every body is different.
Keep searching, asking questions, and challenging your doctors until you get an answer and a plan of action that satisfies you.
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