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39, irregular periods and a lot of stress
I am 39 and would very much like to start a family in the next year. I am very nervous that I may have left it too late. I have always had irregular periods, although for the past few years I have been pretty regular at 5 weeks and then the past year I have been much closer to one month. I had regular periods when on the pill for a few years during my twenties.
I have an anxiety disorder, which is one reason why I delayed having a family and am quite often stressed. Could I have caused permanent damage to my system, or could more regular periods be achieved and conception possible? Also, could irregular periods, stress and sometimes poorer diet caused my ovarian reserve to deplete quicker?
I understand that you cannot answer my situation without tests, but I just want to know the likelihood of permanent damage. I am worried as it my age is already a worry, and the idea that I may have made things worse is really worrying me.
I have eaten much healthier during the past few years and have always had a physical job so on my feet, climbing and such, so although I don't do aerobic exercise I am quite active in that wayl, although the last year i have been sitting much more as a student. I also have started taking vitamins, lowering caffeine and I have never smoked and hardly ever drink alcohol. I am increasing my exercise. Can it do any harm to start taking pre-conception vitamins even if I am not sure when we are going to start trying, or can this deplete the ovarian reserve more by using up more eggs?
I am sorry that my questions are so varied and I understand that you can just advise me of what action I should take. But I would like to know if there is a great chance that I could have decreased my chances even compared to someone my age.
I don't know if it helps to know that my nan was able to conceive easily at the ages of 39 and 40, with no pregnancy issues, my mother had me at 36 and a cousin who is related to me from both my maternal and paternal side had her first baby at 43 without fertility treatment.
Thank you for your patience with my questions.
I have an anxiety disorder, which is one reason why I delayed having a family and am quite often stressed. Could I have caused permanent damage to my system, or could more regular periods be achieved and conception possible? Also, could irregular periods, stress and sometimes poorer diet caused my ovarian reserve to deplete quicker?
I understand that you cannot answer my situation without tests, but I just want to know the likelihood of permanent damage. I am worried as it my age is already a worry, and the idea that I may have made things worse is really worrying me.
I have eaten much healthier during the past few years and have always had a physical job so on my feet, climbing and such, so although I don't do aerobic exercise I am quite active in that wayl, although the last year i have been sitting much more as a student. I also have started taking vitamins, lowering caffeine and I have never smoked and hardly ever drink alcohol. I am increasing my exercise. Can it do any harm to start taking pre-conception vitamins even if I am not sure when we are going to start trying, or can this deplete the ovarian reserve more by using up more eggs?
I am sorry that my questions are so varied and I understand that you can just advise me of what action I should take. But I would like to know if there is a great chance that I could have decreased my chances even compared to someone my age.
I don't know if it helps to know that my nan was able to conceive easily at the ages of 39 and 40, with no pregnancy issues, my mother had me at 36 and a cousin who is related to me from both my maternal and paternal side had her first baby at 43 without fertility treatment.
Thank you for your patience with my questions.
It is just that in all my years they have never been this short, always at least five weeks, which I know is only 3 days longer than right now, but it just seems strange. Also, I get burning sensations on my skin when I lean against a surface which started after I had stayed in for weeks because of studying, and my parent's keep the heat on really high. As soon as I lean forward the heat goes, so it is more of a sensitivity to trapped heat againstmy body that just feels hotter than it is, but I know that people who are peri/M can have similar (but I think it is more spontaneoous). I have also heard of other people having similar and these were people who had anxiety which I do, so I am just hoping that it is all stress, which I suppose can cause hormonal imbalance in itself and could cause similar.
As I am only in the UK for another 6 weeks, I am just not in a good position to start the medical route, and am just looking for a little reassurance. I have also been feeling a little warm the last few days, but my Mum also said the house has been feeling warm.
I think I have just started on this worry streak (which I know is not healthy at all) and the fact that I am reading about shorter cycles just put me over the edge. I am so stressed, I would expect my cycles to be longer.
Thank you all for putting up with me.
As I am only in the UK for another 6 weeks, I am just not in a good position to start the medical route, and am just looking for a little reassurance. I have also been feeling a little warm the last few days, but my Mum also said the house has been feeling warm.
I think I have just started on this worry streak (which I know is not healthy at all) and the fact that I am reading about shorter cycles just put me over the edge. I am so stressed, I would expect my cycles to be longer.
Thank you all for putting up with me.
I don't think you have anything to worry about. My cycles are typically 29 days, but have gone as short as 25 and long as 32 on occasion. I don't think some variability is anything to worry about. Stress or sickness can also cause variability in your cycles. If you simply cannot overcome your worries, see a doctor for reassurance.
One more question only. Sorry.
I was thinking that the fact that my periods are a lot more regular now, at about 31 days was a good thing, as they have never been so short before, but now I fear that this could be an early sign of perimenopause, especially as I had a cycle of about 25 days, but for just one month. I thought that any symptoms of menopause could cause less, not more periods. My periods are still heavy however and just like they have always been.
My Mum and sister didn't go through menopause until 52-54. My other sister is 47 and is yet to go through it. If anyone has any insight with this. Now I am just assuming this and worried about when I get my FSH levels checked when I get back home. :(
I was thinking that the fact that my periods are a lot more regular now, at about 31 days was a good thing, as they have never been so short before, but now I fear that this could be an early sign of perimenopause, especially as I had a cycle of about 25 days, but for just one month. I thought that any symptoms of menopause could cause less, not more periods. My periods are still heavy however and just like they have always been.
My Mum and sister didn't go through menopause until 52-54. My other sister is 47 and is yet to go through it. If anyone has any insight with this. Now I am just assuming this and worried about when I get my FSH levels checked when I get back home. :(
Thank you for the congrats... as for could you have PCOS, it sounds possible to me. If you do any research on it at all, you will find that it casues irregular periods, facial hair (I have it) weight gain. But with exercise and healthy diet you can loss the weight and it will cause your periods to become more regular.
Please research it and talk to your doctor when you get back.
Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Please research it and talk to your doctor when you get back.
Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Also, congratulations. I am sorry that I forgot to say that. It is wonderful news and I will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you for your comment. As mentioned above I have always had irregular periods, and also have some extra hairs around my naval and some on my chin (don't worry I pluck them out). I had never really worried about this as my Mum always had irregular periods also, and even the hair on the naval until she had her first child. Her irregular periods were not fixed until she went on the pill, even after having her first child, so as I have not had a child and only been on the pill intermittently I just assumed that this is due to genetics and never worried about it. My Mum also never had a problem getting pregnant.
Could it be genetics and also stress, or could I also have PCOS? When I say my periods are irregular, I go through stages where they are regular in intervals, like perhaps around 6 weeks, or 5 weeks, in the last 6 months I have been about a calendar month (off maybe by a day or two either way). I also think my brain has a lot to do with it, as back in March, I had been exactly a month and so worked out that if this happened in the following months I would start my period right after a field trip and it was fine. The next month my body came on after 24 days. Which would then put me right at the trip. As it happened my cycle the next month was about 32 days and so I came on the last day which was fine (I spotted at the beginning of the week, but it was such a stressful and exhausting trip with excessive hiking I think the stress on my body may have prolonged it a little).
My periods are also very heavy from day 2-4, although not as bad when my periods are closer together and last about 5-6 days. I also tend to have small clots, with occasional bigger (but not like golf balls, but more flat and long, like pieces of flesh).
The longest cycle I had would be 8 weeks and that was back when I was 20, during a bad time. I have never gone longer than that. 6 weeks was pretty normal for me although I had never actually tracked the dates formally. 5 weeks in the past few years. I also had high cholesterol, but this was when I used to eat pretty unhealthily and I corrected it naturally with flax seed and oatmeal etc. I also put on weight easily and lately I am having a hard time losing it, however I had not been exercising and in the past if I put my mind to losing weight I can.
I plan on going to an OB/GYN when I return to the states at the end of October, but in the mean time, you opinion would be greatly appreciated. Also, if I have had PCOS all these years without knowing about it, could it affect fertility even more (ie does it cause eggs to become even less quality, or negatively affect the ovaries?). I have always had physicals and smears done by a regular doctor and it was never really discussed, and due to my Mum and also levels of stress (which definitely affects my regularity and prolongs my cycle more), I never really worried about it. I feel so naive right now. Usually I am on top of knowledge and now feel that I have completely neglected what really counts.
:(
Could it be genetics and also stress, or could I also have PCOS? When I say my periods are irregular, I go through stages where they are regular in intervals, like perhaps around 6 weeks, or 5 weeks, in the last 6 months I have been about a calendar month (off maybe by a day or two either way). I also think my brain has a lot to do with it, as back in March, I had been exactly a month and so worked out that if this happened in the following months I would start my period right after a field trip and it was fine. The next month my body came on after 24 days. Which would then put me right at the trip. As it happened my cycle the next month was about 32 days and so I came on the last day which was fine (I spotted at the beginning of the week, but it was such a stressful and exhausting trip with excessive hiking I think the stress on my body may have prolonged it a little).
My periods are also very heavy from day 2-4, although not as bad when my periods are closer together and last about 5-6 days. I also tend to have small clots, with occasional bigger (but not like golf balls, but more flat and long, like pieces of flesh).
The longest cycle I had would be 8 weeks and that was back when I was 20, during a bad time. I have never gone longer than that. 6 weeks was pretty normal for me although I had never actually tracked the dates formally. 5 weeks in the past few years. I also had high cholesterol, but this was when I used to eat pretty unhealthily and I corrected it naturally with flax seed and oatmeal etc. I also put on weight easily and lately I am having a hard time losing it, however I had not been exercising and in the past if I put my mind to losing weight I can.
I plan on going to an OB/GYN when I return to the states at the end of October, but in the mean time, you opinion would be greatly appreciated. Also, if I have had PCOS all these years without knowing about it, could it affect fertility even more (ie does it cause eggs to become even less quality, or negatively affect the ovaries?). I have always had physicals and smears done by a regular doctor and it was never really discussed, and due to my Mum and also levels of stress (which definitely affects my regularity and prolongs my cycle more), I never really worried about it. I feel so naive right now. Usually I am on top of knowledge and now feel that I have completely neglected what really counts.
:(
Rachel,
I too am 39 years old. I have PCOS which in itself can make concieving hard. Add age to it and well... However, after trying for many years without sucess, I discussed our desires with my ObGYN. She sent me to a fertility specialist in November. This last month, we completed out first round of injectables and an IUI. This week we found out that I am pregnant. I had blood work on Tuesday which confirmed it.
It is possible to get pregnatnt at this age. I agree with Trusting77 that if after 3 months you have not suceeded on you own, please go see a specialist.
Good Luck!
I too am 39 years old. I have PCOS which in itself can make concieving hard. Add age to it and well... However, after trying for many years without sucess, I discussed our desires with my ObGYN. She sent me to a fertility specialist in November. This last month, we completed out first round of injectables and an IUI. This week we found out that I am pregnant. I had blood work on Tuesday which confirmed it.
It is possible to get pregnatnt at this age. I agree with Trusting77 that if after 3 months you have not suceeded on you own, please go see a specialist.
Good Luck!
Thank you both.
I actually decided to have a long chat with my boyfriend yesterday over the phone as I just couldn't wait until I got back next month. He was very supportive and quite positive in his outlook which helped a lot. I am hoping that when I get back and show him what I am capable of he will then realise that we just cannot keep waiting, so hopefully maybe by the spring he would be willing and in the mean time I will try to get fit in mind and body.
Sherri, I was looking into the wheat grass, and also red clover(?). I had also been reading about royal jelly and also the algae's chlorella and spirulina. I also read that brewer's yeast and baby aspirin encourage blood flow to the ovaries. I don't want to go overboard so need to figure out a good plan and stick to it. Any good, and reliable resources would be very helpful.
In my 20s and early 30s I didn't always eat right (lots of snacks and chocolate instead of real food), but in the past few years I have eaten much better, although never regular meals due to a hectic work schedule and often not stopping for lunch). I suppose I did not think about the health of my egg reserve, and just hope that good recent health and additional nutrition may somehow be able to compensate a little.
Thank you for your encouraging words. I know that there is no guarantee but the statistics look so dismal and I was just so disheartened, especially as I don't always feel that I have given my body what it needs. I tend to dwell on the past and the what ifs. I know I need to look forward and just do the best that I can do.
Thank you again.
Rachel
I actually decided to have a long chat with my boyfriend yesterday over the phone as I just couldn't wait until I got back next month. He was very supportive and quite positive in his outlook which helped a lot. I am hoping that when I get back and show him what I am capable of he will then realise that we just cannot keep waiting, so hopefully maybe by the spring he would be willing and in the mean time I will try to get fit in mind and body.
Sherri, I was looking into the wheat grass, and also red clover(?). I had also been reading about royal jelly and also the algae's chlorella and spirulina. I also read that brewer's yeast and baby aspirin encourage blood flow to the ovaries. I don't want to go overboard so need to figure out a good plan and stick to it. Any good, and reliable resources would be very helpful.
In my 20s and early 30s I didn't always eat right (lots of snacks and chocolate instead of real food), but in the past few years I have eaten much better, although never regular meals due to a hectic work schedule and often not stopping for lunch). I suppose I did not think about the health of my egg reserve, and just hope that good recent health and additional nutrition may somehow be able to compensate a little.
Thank you for your encouraging words. I know that there is no guarantee but the statistics look so dismal and I was just so disheartened, especially as I don't always feel that I have given my body what it needs. I tend to dwell on the past and the what ifs. I know I need to look forward and just do the best that I can do.
Thank you again.
Rachel
It's good for you to be thinking now about starting to try to conceive soon. I waited until I was 40 and have had alot of problems. (My situation involves several autoimmune-type health problems, so hopefully you won't have as much trouble.) Sounds like you're doing alot of good things so far. The stress is a killer, though! Try to make lowering your stress level a high priority. I know it's not easy, but it will make a difference in how easy or difficult the process could go. You're still young enough that you should be able to conceive without great difficulty. But until you try, sometimes there just isn't a way to know for sure.
Definitely get on the prenatal right away. There are some other good supplements out there for trying to conceive. (wheatgrass, royal jelly, vit E, fish oil, vit B6, etc.) And diet changes can make a huge difference. Ideally cutting out refined sugar and caffeine is a good start. I also gave up gluten and dairy, which wasn't easy, but I feel alot better being off of both of those.
It's really about taking good care of yourself and your body. Your body is going to be the baby's home for 9 months, so you want to try to detox and get rid of as much stress as possible. This is a great site for TTC support! Good luck! :)
Definitely get on the prenatal right away. There are some other good supplements out there for trying to conceive. (wheatgrass, royal jelly, vit E, fish oil, vit B6, etc.) And diet changes can make a huge difference. Ideally cutting out refined sugar and caffeine is a good start. I also gave up gluten and dairy, which wasn't easy, but I feel alot better being off of both of those.
It's really about taking good care of yourself and your body. Your body is going to be the baby's home for 9 months, so you want to try to detox and get rid of as much stress as possible. This is a great site for TTC support! Good luck! :)
OCD can be a tough third party in a relationship, but isn't that what love and commitment is all about? Accepting one another's strengths and weaknesses? Perhaps you could start therapy now instead of waiting until a child is in the picture. Maybe that will help your partner to see you are serious about getting better. Cognitive-behavioral therapy would be my recommendation (I'm a psychologist-not a clinical psychologist, but I know a little about treatment for this). It may need to be ongoing, depending on the severity of your difficulties. A serious discussion with your partner sounds like an excellent idea. Find out what his hesitations are and maybe an offer on your end to seek treatment now would show him your willingness to commit to improving your mental health. Good for you for finding the internal motivation to address your difficulties on your own...meds do help, so don't let yourself feel they are a crutch in any way. I understand not wanting to take them, however. If you can get it under control via therapy alone, then that's the way to go. Best wishes. I do hope you conquer your fears and are able to welcome a baby into your home someday. God bless.
Thank you. My partner has been hesitant to make a true commitment to me due to my OCD, but we have also been together 11 years and we do love each other. I am currently in the UK studying and visiting family but will be home next month. I have already mentioned recently about how I am nervous that time is running out, but I don't think he realises it, so I will be making sure that we sit down and really talk about it and the future. I really DO know that I would make a good mother, and would never let my anxiety and fears affect my child, but I will also make sure that I go into behavioural therapy to ensure this (I have always been able to get well myself, or with meds, but I don't want to take anything at this time)
I just wanted to make sure that I am doing everything in my power to make things right in terms of my body and mind, and hopefully everything else will be fine too. He loves babies and my sister is currently fostering a 7 week-old so if he visits in the next month I think a little gentle persuasion may also be in order. Let him see what he is missing. :)
I just wanted to make sure that I am doing everything in my power to make things right in terms of my body and mind, and hopefully everything else will be fine too. He loves babies and my sister is currently fostering a 7 week-old so if he visits in the next month I think a little gentle persuasion may also be in order. Let him see what he is missing. :)
Hi there. Too much stress is never a good thing, but I don't believe in and of itself it can cause you to be infertile. Think of all the women in highly stressful jobs you know. Have they had children when they chose to? I've also have read that this isn't the case, so strike that from your list of concerns.
As for per-conception vitamins, I'm assuming you are talking about prenatal vitamins? They don't make you release more eggs, so I'm not sure how that would impact your reserve. It sounds like you might be starting to improve your diet, so that shouldn't be a concern either.
Lowing caffeine, taking vitamins, never smoking, rarely drinking, and increasing your exercise are like excellent factors for success.
Your age is something that I wouldn't mess around with. I would see a fertility specialist probably after 3 mos of trying if you don't conceive. There is no need to delay. They can actually do an ovarian reserve check. It would also be helpful to have your partner's semen checked to make sure all is well there.
Good luck.
As for per-conception vitamins, I'm assuming you are talking about prenatal vitamins? They don't make you release more eggs, so I'm not sure how that would impact your reserve. It sounds like you might be starting to improve your diet, so that shouldn't be a concern either.
Lowing caffeine, taking vitamins, never smoking, rarely drinking, and increasing your exercise are like excellent factors for success.
Your age is something that I wouldn't mess around with. I would see a fertility specialist probably after 3 mos of trying if you don't conceive. There is no need to delay. They can actually do an ovarian reserve check. It would also be helpful to have your partner's semen checked to make sure all is well there.
Good luck.
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