This month's menstrual period was definitely different than my other months. I'm wondering if people who have a thyroid condition, like Hashimoto's, also have some strange menstrual cycles? I went to the doctor last week and they tested to make sure that I wasn't pregnant. I started bleeding around the time that I would normally get my cycle, but it was totally different than my normal cycles. I had no PMS, no cramping, etc. EVERY month I have really bad cramping and so it's definitely very strange for me to not have any of those symptoms.
So my question is for other people with thyroid issues, has your cycle been impacted by your thyroid issues? I'm 39 years old and so I wouldn't expect that my cycle would be changing from it's regular pattern. I doubt that I'm going through menopause yet.
I'm having my TSH levels tested tomorrow. They've been abnormal, but the doctors seem to be challenged with managing them with the right meds and dosage.
Would love to hear from other people who have thyroid issues and/or people who have had strange menstrual cycles.
Thanks!
You could be entering into perimenopause. The stages before menopause and you could be in this stage for a long time. I too had odd cycles. My friend who is 35 has the hot flashes, mental fog, no cycle for a year etc. Might also want to look into that direction as well.
Hello
In fact, at 39, you can most definitely begin the perimenopausal transition..
however, you are having your hormones tested, so they can let you know for sure.. If you are, it's NOT uncommon for you cycle to begin to change, one change is definitely the length of the cycle.. As you probably know, with the onset of one's period, estrogen levels drop and are at their lowest during the period, that said, with perimenopause, there is what I think of as a first initial big drop in estrogen, well... since estrogen drops, it could cause bleeding.. now, I am no doctor, but have been tracking my cycles from the age of about 39 up until now, I am 51.. I began to see PM changes around 39 and then by 42 I really began to feel the change because that is when my hormones began to get as I like to say, "shifty" :)
one minute I felt ok, the next... bam.. headache or mood swings..
same goes with my period.. started out at 5 days.. then shortened to about 3 and then back to 5 or 7... now, at 51.. while I longer ovulate, I do have anovulatory cycles that run for about 5 to 7 days with the overall cycles having shortened from 32 days to now 26...
when I first began to experience PM, I definitely thought it was my thyroid, turns out , it wasn't.. hormone fluctuations can definitely mimic thyroid conditions.. so it's good you are getting your hormones checked..
39 is prime time for peri menopause to start up and it can last 15 years before you hit full menopause.
Thyroid can affect your cycle but taking a thyroid med won't do anything for peri menopause symptoms - you'll still get hot flashes even if your thyroid is perfect.
I have a thyroid condition, I had a partial thyroidectomy a few years ago due to large nodules. After the surgery, my thyroid levels became slightly elevated (hypo) so I started a low dose of synthroid and they've been optimal since. I'm about your age and haven't noticed anything abnormal with my period. However, when I am under a great deal of stress I suffer from PMS like symptoms. I went back to working full time last year and there were a couple of awful weeks right around the time of my period, I even thought I was pregnant a couple of times. I've had virtually no stress the last few months and can't even tell that I'm about to get my period. So maybe it's stress related, just a thought!
Yes, thyroid level can affect your menstrual cycle, but not having cramping or PMS is not usually one of the symptoms. You will know soon what your TSH shows. I think no cramping or PMS is a good thing, and probably not an indication of anything bad.
sounds much more likely to be peri-M than your thyroid. but it sure can't hurt to get it checked.
khairete
S.
I've been hypothyroid for years. I've never had issues with it regarding my periods.
i have graves disease. it does not affect my menstrual cycle, but my endometriosis did. so could be something else.
That is how I found out I had a thyroid problem! I went to my OB thinking I was in menopause but found out it was my thyroid. Went on the medicine and started having periods again. Bastards! It took about a year to find the right dosage and medicine. I can't take the generic Synthroid. I have to take the name brand. The generic has a binder in it that doesn't allow my body to absorb the medicine I need. Keep that in mind when you take the meds. You could have an issue like that as well if they have difficulty regulating your levels.
That was 5 years ago, I am now in full menopause. Haven't had a period in over a year. Yay me! So yes, it can affect your cycle.
You could also be starting perimenopause. I was in my late 30s when that started. To me it really was just a change in my cycle. I didn't bleed as much but I was still pretty regular, not as emotional or crampy. It wasn't bad. I did have the occasional hot flash but nothing like what I have now. =)
Is your appointment with an Endocrinologist? If not, it might be a good idea to find one. Good luck!!
