Delayed Period for 10 months now...

[Missing Period]

Since I was 11 yrs old, I have been having problems with my period. When it first began, I would have my period every other month. Then it would be every two months, sometimes three... sometimes even 6 months, and people would say..."When you turn 17 that'll go away and you'll have your period every month." I am 23 now and all its done is get worse. My mother and sisters never had this problem. I don't even think anyone else in my extended family has this problem. In 1999 or 2000 I went 8 months without my period... no, I wasn't pregnant... I haven't had relations in 6 yrs... but during those 8 months, I did spot... and some pale looking blood clots would come out, but no actual blood. Then in the 9th month I had my period for about a month. Then it went away again for 2 months. It was the same as always again. Then in Sept of 2002, was the last time I had my period and now it's July 4th 2003... Where did my period go?? Ten months without my period and I ain't even pregnant... what's going on? What is wrong with me? I don't have insurance to see a gyn, and I am scared to find out some bad news... so can someone give me an answer as to what is going on with my body? In 1998, I saw a gyn for the first time and she prescribed me some birth control pills called Orthotrycylin. That didn't work... all it did was make me fatter, so I quit that. Haven't seen another gyn since. So I don't know what's going on inside of me. Most women I know say that I am lucky to not have my period cause I don't have to suffer like they do, but I don't feel like a woman if I don't have my period... and I don't want to have problems with my reproductive system. I want to eventually have kids... and this worries me. I especially don't want to develop cancer. Can someone out there please give me some wisdom or words of advise?

[LindaF]

Get checked for polycystic ovarian disease. No big deal, I have it, but it will definitely mess with your cycle! I used to get my period twice per year when I was your age into my 30s. Two things to remember. One, if you get your period every three months, then you are at no greater risk of cancer then anyone else. They can kick off your period every three months with a course of Provera. Two, I had three children so don't worry about infertility. They know now that PCOS is caused by faulty insulin release and uptake and it can be fixed.

Not all doctors understand the process. Some gynos are better than others. Ask around at your local hospital and find out who is.

[Lauren32589]

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