Periods Come and Go whenever---HELP!

Hi C., I would ask my ob-gyn or medical doctor about looking into you having PCOS, which is polycystic ovarian syndrome. This condition causes weight gain irregular periods, tierdness and less likely to lose weight among other things, this might help you.

You need to find a doctor who takes you seriously. I had some break though bleeding or spotting for a couple of months and my doctor took it very seriously. They did an ultrasound to see what was going on. I am not a skin and bone either - 50 lb overweight. Please try someone else - a woman.

S.

It would be interesting to take a poll on overweight women to see if his theory pans out! I have heard this theory said before but I think you have to be REALLY - REALLY obese for that to happen. I was once 300 pounds. I never had spotty periods. Two of my sisters are heavy, and I've known many heavy women. None of them had irregular bleeding, with the exception of 1. She had fibroid tumors (which cause extra bleeding).

Let's look at this logically. If your doctor's reasoning was correct then wouldn't most, if not all overweight women have abnormal periods? Conversly, all those slim ladies wouldn't have a problem with spotty periods either, right?

It's a shame that your doctor, with the plethora of medical tests that he has at his fingertips, could so quickly blow this off as a weight issue without ruling out some other things first. Abnormal vaginal bleeding SHOULD ALWAYS be further evaluated. In fact, I don't know how old you are, but the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends an edometrial evaluation on any woman 35 + who has abnormal uterine bleeding.

Health issues that can cause irregular bleeding:

pelvic infection, endometriosis, fibroid tumors, ovarian cysts, uterine polyps, steriod therapy, cervical or uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, adrenal tumor,hepatic disease, leukemia, pituitary adenoma, Hormone imbalance, indoctrine issues, malfunctioning adrenal glands; adrenal hyperplasia, Hypothyroidism, renal disease, failure to ovulate, perimenopause, diabetes, and medication side effects.

Since your doctor is not willing to take an active role in your health, I would get another doctor. I'm not trying to be an alarmist, but the number one symptom of 'female' cancer is abnormal bleeding - usually heavy bleeding. Why not double check everything just to be on the safe side. Ask them to give you an ultrasound as well.

I would second the motion to get in touch with your body and start charting your ovulation cycles.(book:taking charge of your fertility.) Sometimes we can miss ovulation, that's true, but that much.... seems excessive. Second, I would go online and invest some time in medical research. I like the site wrongdiagnosis.com. Also, search out sites on abnormal bleeding, candidas albicans and thyroid malfunction. Eating the wrong foods can cause a candidas overgrowth that can cause thyroid/hormonal problems. Candidas causes cancer. Large amounts of Soy can affect hormones. Vitamins that are in the foods we eat assist in hormone formation, so foods that lack adequate vitamins can whack your hormones. Adjusting your diet would be a smart thing. take Vit. b complex (sugar destroys vit b) vit c and cod liver oil. Try to reduce carbs. Low carb diets help to keep candidas in check.

Please have a blood test to check your thyroid and pituatary. Both are glands that can affect your periods.
Best Wishes

Reading through the other advice quickly, I don't think anyone has mentioned this possibility... You don't say your age, but having teenagers tells me you may be old enough to be experiencing early menopause or pre-menopause symptoms. I agree that the Dr. has a point about the weight, and that certainly may be your problem, but it wouldn't hurt, as others have said, to get another opinion.. and don't settle for a Dr. just dismissing this lightly. I went through menopause starting at about age 42.. and was finished with it by age 44, so know that early menopause is possible. If that turns out to be your problem, don't be afraid of it, or sad. I can tell you I don't miss that time of the month at all, and feel healthier now than I did when I was in my thirties.

I have a VERY similar life, (4 kids, 100lbs over weight,ect.) My irregular bleeding was caused by cysts. Do you have any other symptoms??

What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?
Many women have ovarian cysts without having any symptoms. Sometimes, though, a cyst will cause these problems:

pressure, fullness, or pain in the abdomen
dull ache in the lower back and thighs
problems passing urine completely
pain during sexual intercourse
weight gain
painful menstrual periods and abnormal bleeding
nausea or vomiting
breast tenderness

I don't know how old you are but I know that I have this same problem. I am not overweight, just overwhelmed! I noticed that with increased stress and responsibilities is when my periods seem to disappear. Kind of like God telling me I don't need one more problem. When things are running smoothly my periods are regular

Please have yourself checked out for PCO -- polycystic ovarian disease. If your doctor doesn't know what this is, find one who does. Good luck.

Dear C.,

After eliminating organic disorders of the reproductive system, you should consider acupuncture and herbs for any functional uterine bleeding due to ovarian dysfunction.

As an acupuncturist, there would be a series of questions I would like to ask you regarding your condition to get to the root cause of it all. For example any accompaning symptoms, color, pulse and tongue etc.

What acupuncture can do is help balance your hormones again!
Hope this helps.

In Love and Light,
T. Shen, L.Ac, D.O.M, B.A.
Doctor of Chinese Medicine, China

Eastern Medical Center
3510 Old Santa Rita Rd. Ste D
Pleasanton, CA 94588
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www.easternmedicalcenter.com
http://drshen.nutrametrix.com
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/6/9b6/663

"Empower yourself. Be Healthy & Pain Free Again.
Find out about Acupuncture and Acupressure: Cosmetic
Acupuncture, Mind and
Body Mastery, Optimal Sports and Health, Pain Free
Living."

I know exactly what your talking about...and it is ANNOYING!!!!! Im about 60 pounds overweight, but even when it was less this was a problem. I have no medical insurance right now, so I can't find out what's wrong. (ugh) Let me know what you find out!!!

Hi. It sounds like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I have it too, and it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Good news is treatment can be simply adhering to a diabetic style diet (No refined sugars/ flours etc...the white stuff) - eating healthy fats, protein (lean), veggies& fruits. Exercise also is essential. If you have this health issue, check out soulcysters.com it is a very helpful and informative website.
Good Luck!!

C., you need to get a second oppinion! I too am over weight so I know how hard it is to get a doctor to listen/care but this could be nothing or it could be something very serious. You have four children to think about....what would happen to them if something happened to you? There are other reasons for periods to be unusual besides weight. I don't know how old you are but maybe you are going through the "change". You sound like you could be under an enormous amount of stress, which can also be a reason. It could also be a tumor or some other serious health problem. The point is, until you know, you can't do anything about it. Go back to your OB/GYN and insist on a thorough examination. When I had just one strange period, my doctor did a vaginal ultra-sound and found I had a non-cancerous tumor/cyst in the lining. What a relief it was to know it wasn't something life-threatening! Good luck!

Hi C., I have had horrible periods most of my life and started them in the 5th grade. My mother and grand mother too. A few suggestions... not sure if you are on them or not but birth control helped me alot for a long time but I was about 50lbs over weight and my blood pressure was way high so I had to stop. I started working out at Curves and my weight dropped a little and my blood pressure is awesome. I stopped the pill in Nov. 2004 and in Jan 2005 is when the real trouble started. I kept a monthly track of my period until July 2006 of how long, heavy or light, painful or not. I did have alot of pain and spotting all the time. Sometimes it would be 3 days them other times 14 days. With this, my doctor had on paper what I was saying and we did a Endometrial Ablation which helped out tremendously. It's a removal of the lining of the uterus (endometrium). It's a simple, outpatient procedure. Not meaning to be totally gross but it's like pressure washing the inside and it gets all stuff out that could be causing your problem. My mom had this and she almost never has a period anymore. I have one but it is on time every month and I feel good. Now, this doesn't always work for everyone but it's worth talking to your doctor. I hope this has helped.

Hi C. -

Weight gain is one reason for irregular periods -- another reason is, um, age. :)

I started having irregular periods when I was about 42. And then got pregnant, go figure. After I had my daughter, the periods got more irregular, sometimes spotting, sometimes a major one, and then just stopped.

Menopause symptoms can start as earlier as 35, and irregular periods, spotting, skipping, is one of the key signs...

J.

Hi C.,

I would highly recommend reading, Take charge of your fertility..
the reason is.. it will help you learn how to chart your periods. By reading this book, you can get a better idea of what is really going on within your body and for example, IF you aren't ovulating each month, then the blood you are experiencing isn't really considered menstruation but is rather what is considered anovulatory bleeding. Many women tend to think that every time they bleed each month, it's because they have ovulated, when in fact they may not have. Now, while you aren't trying to get pregnant, what's important here is to find out for starters what kind of true cycles you are having and the only way to truly do that is to track yoru cycle each month. Also, by doing this, it gives you a change to take charge of your health and not turn it over to the medical establishment. In terms of your being overweight, yes that can play a big role not just in relation to your cycle but of course , your overall health.
With regard to fat and estrogen equaling CANCER, yes and no.. it's a little more complex than that..
Cancer will grow in a body that is too acidic (as oppose to alkaline) but let's not even touch on cancer at the moment.

Something you can do right away that will help you begin to heal your body is to start adding more raw foods into your diet, begin small like say a big salad for lunch. These small changes can begin to make the difference. Additionally, start by adding more healthy (non-processed foods) to your diet and as you begin to add healthy good food, slowly you will begin to want less of the junk foods.. cooked, processed, etc etc.

These small changes of adding more raw , green , fruits and veggies into your diet will begin to help your system renew itself. Start small though because like anything, IF you crash right into it, you'll only do it a for a short while.

Additionally, there is soooooooo much literature on the net to read with regard to regular cycles... if you type in irregular cycles alone, much data will come up.. I would as mentioned start with that book.... you will truly be amazed at how much you can learn about your cycle.

good luck to you!!

Hi!
I have had alot of trouble with my periods also- and currently am! Mine dont come and go. But I am just not having them. I have had every test with the doctor and everything is normal. I am a normal weight, and they basically dont know what it is. They wanted to put me on hormones and I was determined to find a different method. So I started doing acupuncture. I love it so far. Im in the middle of my series, but She says when its over I will recieve my period. She also put me on Natural Herbs that work well with the treatments. Im a believer that Acupuncture can do alot for womens health.I already feel a difference from other side effects I was having from unbalenced hormones. So I would recommend trying it! They also can give you treatments for weight loss. Good Luck!
J.

Hi C..

First, I like your attitude. The Lord WILL work everything out. I'm also a single overweight mom. I've been overweight my whole life and had odd periods my whole life, going 9 months without a period at times. I've been irregular since I started periods at 12. Throudh high school I never weighed more than 150, so though I was overweight, I wasn't that much over as compared to adult life when I got closer to 100 lb. over. My biggest problem came with fertility. I know you have 4, so unless you want more, I don't think it will cause problems for you healthwise. My doctors all said I was completely healthy and the missed periods weren't hurting me.

I lost 6 babies, but had 2. After my second one at age 40, my periods came like clockwork every 27 days and it has been that way for 8 years now. I'm still overweight, so something about that delivery changed my cycle. Who knows what? One thing we did find though is that because I had a C-section, when they opened me up we found that I have a ton of fibroids in my uterus. They cause me no pain and are very small, so they opted not to remove them.

All this to say, I have no idea why for 30 years of my life my periods were so irregular. I don't think my weight really has anything to do with it since I am so regular now. I agree about getting a second opinion. Some doctors are too busy to deal with you. I can recommend mine if you are at Kaiser Santa Teresa, see Dr. Thomas Lin. He has been wonderful and orders every test possible to help me feel at ease when I have concerns.

I pray that God will bless you in your family, financially, emotionally, and physically. Keep trusting Him to give you wisdom in this situation, and though I know it is hard, do what you can to eat right, exercise, and loose some weight. I've lost 50 in the last couple years. Slowly, but any weight loss is good and will help keep you around for your kids.

God bless you.

Hi C. R,

I read your request for help regarding your period.
I wanted to respond to you and let you know that my best friend of 18 yrs. has the same type of periods you are describing. She has had irreglar periods before I even knew her. Her doctor told her the same thing, because she was overweight her periods would not be regular. A lot of the time she would only get one period a year.
I have heard from other people and read about woman who are overweight having irregular menstral cycles.
As far as I know it's normal and you have nothing to worry about as far as the periods go.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or ask for my info. I'll do my best to help you feel better about what is going on in addition to telling you more about my friend. She has quite a story. A good one!
Good luck to you, just relax, and if you are really worried get a second opinion, speak to another obgyn or look up some information on the net.

I'll be thinking about you.
Misha

What bothers me about his response is that doctors blame EVERYTHING on being overweight, and it's not true. I would go to another doctor and demand assistance. Other than that, what is your age? Is it possible you're starting the menopause process? If it were me, I'd definitely look into it further. Sorry to not be of more help, I hope everything works out! C.

Hi C.,

Well you said a lot of really important stuff here... 1 your weight does have a impact on your cycling, and can cause hormonal changes as the body fat stores hormones longer which can cause you to not ministrant as much,so work on weight. 2nd is stress... Stress being the number #1 cause of cycle changes.

You also said over a year ago, and so that tells me it's been more than a year since you have revisited this. It may e a good time to go back for another check up and reassess this contiditon and it may be a good time to find a second openion?

Another thing to look at is if you are taking birth control or an IUD? or maybe birthcontrol if you're not taking them will better regulate you?

Struggling and worry, trying to work, money problems, and children being combative and worrying about your weight all affect our bodies’ response system.

Try walking early in the morning take the kids with you and adventure walk, or call a friend and start walking with them in the morning or evenings...

Call a friend and have someone you can let out some of your emotions and express your fears with, find people who make you feel more supported in this world with what you are going through.... and work on better nutrition.

I have a weight problem my self and it effects my health! Eating habits, and exercise help!

Also I have some very good weight management products that are good to eat and help control apatite from Melaleuca along with a program where you can go on line and imput your daily food intake and it will help you plan out your meals to help you... it is $6.00 a month for the web program.. and it's great!

And if you need a friend to be a support call me!

Blessings Sister I am praying for you!

Sincerely,
J.
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I had this problem on and off for years, starting in my late teens and all the way up into my early 30's when I had my first child. I was even told that I would probably not be able to have children, but 2 healthy children later proved that theory wrong. Get a thorough check up and just make sure nothing else is going on with the acception of you being irregular. You may even want to consult a specialist if you have coverage since money is tight. It might just be that you won't have "normal" periods but you want to make sure. I was told that if you want to have children, you would want your cycles regulated but not sure how scientific that is. I got pregnant without regularity.

I too am overweight but I have 2 friends that have never been overweight who have experienced this problem also. For some reason, after I had my first son, it righted itself.

One causion, they put me on estrogen to regulate me at an early age, and this is when I gained the excess weight, so I was not overweight when this started. Just make sure when they suggest a remedy that you research it. If you are irregular, it may also lead to low iron in your blood, so be careful of that also.

Keep in mind that stress can do really strange things to your body also, so you may want to find a way to get some sanity time for yourself, and see if that starts to help.

Have you tried taking low dose birth control to regulate your periods? Talk to your ob about it. I was overweight with an I.U.C. and my periods were so speratic I thought I had serious health problems. Turns out low dose helped! Try it! Good Luck!

I'm with the gals who said to revisit this problem. I think you should find a doc that takes you and your problem seriously rather than putting you off as just being over weight. You deserve better service than that. Some doctors seem to forget that they are being PAID to provide services and that you are the customer who is paying for the service. They aren't doing you a "favor" by seeing you.

hey hun,
i just wanted to say that i've also struggled with my weight my whole life (i'm currently in the act of working on losing around 80 pounds, which i've done twice before in my life) -
my health care person (a highly qualified accupuncturist, women's health and fertility specialist) has told me that uneven blood sugar levels (which those of us with unhealthy eating patterns have) contribute to dysfunction of our reproductive organs and can even shut them down altogether (though me with my three kids and you with your brood clearly were able to reproduce no problem, eh?) - anyhow, healthy eating (lower carb/processed/sugared foods, more protein and fresh veggies) would stabilize your blood sugars and help with your cycles -
that said, i'm in somewhat the same struggle as you and would love to chat more personally!
smiles,
S.

Find another OBGYN or at least get a second opinion!! I struggled with my periods for way too many years,although I had the exact opposite problem, and you wouldn't believe how many explanations I got, about half of them used my weight as an excuse, some of those were so far out there that Dr's I told later were stunned . While I am sure my weight did not make things easier, it was not the major sourse of my problems, even after I lost over 100 lbs, I was still plagued with problems. I wound up having to have a Hysterectomy this past year & my Dr. states it could have been avoided if I had gotten the proper treatment earlier. Don't just accept "Oh it's your wieght", ask exactly how being over weight is causing these problems. Good Luck!

Have your thyroid hormone levels checked.