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Maternal (Expert Forum)
Amenorreah and Anovulation
Patient medical question and answer from The Maternal and Child Health Forum. Health topic area and articles about newborn care
Amenorreah and Anovulation
by Angie__0, May 23, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Angie on May 23, 1999 at 20:48:01
I quit having my period while on birth control pills. My doctor gave me extra estrogen to take during my cycle but this failed to start my period. I decided to quit taking the pill all together with the permission of my doctor in hopes of my body naturally correcting itself. I am still having irregular periods six months later. I also have mild pain in my right side during intercourse and when coughing, laughing, and some strenuous activity. My doctor ordered an internal ultrasound that revealed many small cysts on both ovaries. My doctor then suspected Polysystic Ovarian Syndrome but blood tests (LH, FSH, Progesterone)were reported to be normal. I have also been tested for a hyperthyroid gland. I am 25, not overweight, active and have no other health problems. No one can seem to figure out what is wrong with me. My doctor now says that my period is irregular (40 -60 day cycles) because of stopping the pill. I am worried that I will not be able to get pregnant. I just want an explanation of what is wrong. I could live with the explanation of having irregular periods, but I still have not had a satisfactory explaination about the cysts. I understand that a few small cysts are normal. But even my doctor admitts that I have more than the normal amount. Please help me define my problem!
Posted by hfhs.md.rcs on May 24, 1999 at 21:53:33
Dear Angie:
Birth control pills do not cause irregular menses: your cycle changed while you were on the pills. This is an association; this is not cause and effect.
Menstrual cycles become irregular without explanation in most patients. Explanations include exercise programs, low or high weight, weight change, thyroid, prolactin, androgen disorders, chronic illness, and stress.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common explantion. Only 70% of patients have an altered LH/FSH ratio and these patients do have ovulation in some cycles. If the ultrasound appearance of the ovary suggests this diagnosis, total and free testosterone levels and DHEAS are the hormones that are most likely to be abnormal. Patients with adrenal hyperplasia can have this ovarian appearance: the 17-hydroxyprogesterone level is most helpful for diagnosis.
Keywords: irregular menstrual periods
This information is provided for education purposes and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please speak with your healthcare provider.
