No periods

[pamcvndr]

I am 38 years old. I have never had a regular period. Maybe one or two cycles a year. I was able to have a baby about 8 years ago with the help of provera and clomid. We tried again 2 years ago but no luck. I'm not to worried about having another child, but I am worried about the fact I don't have a reg. cycle. I have all the symptoms of a period but with no blood. The older I get the more this concerns me. Both of my sisters had to have hysterectomies before the age of 30. Precancer and Endometriosis were their problems. My Doctor has checked my levels per blood test, but is there anything else I can ask him or need to be on the look out for.  HELP!!!!!

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

First, any woman with an absent period should have a pregnancy test first and foremost.  Other causes of absent or infrequent menstruation are thyroid abnormalities and increased prolactin levels.  Also, excessive weight loss or physical stress can result in absent or infrequent menstruation.

The most common reason women have infrequent menstruation, or anovulation, is due to the Polycystic ovarian syndrome.  This syndrome is notable for infrequent menstruation (oligomenorrhea), hyperandrogenism (this may be evidenced by excess hair growth in a male distribution) and slightly enlarged ovaries with multiple small follicles.  2 of these 3 elements are all that is needed to make the diagnosis.  Commonly, women who meet this diagnosis are obese and have evidence of insulin resistance.  This is important because it puts a woman's endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) at greater risk of being exposed to unopposed estrogen, which can result in the overgrowth and/or abnormal growth of endometrial tissue (i.e., endometrial hyperplasia or endometrial cancer).  

This can easily be managed by taking the birth control pill (which has estrogen and progesterone). The pill will protect your endometrium and regulate your menstrual cycle.  Alternatively, a progesterone only form of contraception will provide endometrial protection, although most will not regulate your bleeding.  Examples are Depo Provera (an every 3 month injection), the mini-pill (a progesterone only birth control pill), Implanon (a single rod implant placed under the arm with a 3 year life span), a Mirena IUD (a progesterone impregnated IUD which can stay in place for 5 years) or the intermittent use of Provera to cause a monthly or every 3-4 month withdrawal bleed.  

Your physician should be able to help determine the underlying cause of your infrequent menstruation and discuss the many possible ways to approach resolving or managing it.

Best regards,

Dr. Downing  

[expectant]

I normally have my regular periods, however I was supposed to start on the 1st of November today is the 9th of November I still havent seen it however I feel the symptoms of my menses starting and I feel pains on my nipples I have taken the pregnancy test and its negative. Can anyone suggest if am pregnant, am seriously trying to conceive, any help or suggestion please?

[ttatina2007]

i am 37 years old and i didnt have a period for 2 years,i didnt think i could get pregnant again,my youngest was 13 yrs old,i ended up getting pregnant ,my baby is now 9 months old and he was diagnosed with a thyroid problem at birth and now has to take medication daily,i dont know if thats why he came out with a thyroid problem or not but it seems like it ,i had my thyroid checked after the birth and it came back normal.

[mumma53]

The pregnancy test I took when I was first pregnant with my almost 3 yr old daughter also was negative.  Wait a couple days. Drink lots of water before bed then take a test first thing in the morning.  My boobies never hurt unless I'm pregnant, I'm just sayin... ;)