My periods have stopped - anyone else ever had this?

[periodshavestoppedwhy]

I’m 30 and a half, zero chance of pregnancy .

I’ve not had a proper bleed since January, just occasional streaks of blood in discharge and sometimes spotting - no longer need pads or tampons at all . I used to flood through maternity pads and be on the floor in agony .

I did see a GP in August who did an internal - said no concerns, but I might need ‘endometrial protection’ and a scan if it carried on. I did get diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago on basis of some hormone being out of whack - though they said ovaries were normal on scans . Do have adhesions between ovaries and bowels seen on scan a few years ago - I’ve had several - one ovary had a ‘functional cyst’ and other is usually not visible - but they’ve never said why .

I had 2 days of spotting in October, nothing else .

I’ve made an appointment again with GP but has anyone else had this - what’s likely to be the cause? Presumably all the scarring and PCOS and stuff? How do they treat it ?

Acupuncture will help you. Expensive, but works.

Have a look at your diet. Are you getting enough protein and minerals?

Make sure your lower abdomen is well-protected in cold weather - this is very important.

Don't underestimate the role stress has had on our bodies for the past 2 years. Our bodies mirror what's going on emotionally for us quite often.

My diet’s terrible yes, and been very depressed/anxious for a while (I’m very overweight) so that could be the cause . But I’ve been very overweight for a long time and I’ve always had periods, so it seems strange that they’ve just stopped like they have .

I’ll look into acupuncture 😊, thanks

It’s happened to me twice - once when I came off the pill after years on it (no period for nine months) and once during the lockdowns last year (no period for six months). The latter was really odd, I was alone in lockdown and it was as though my body just decided to shut down. I thought it might be the beginning of peri-menopause (39) but they resumed as normal after the lockdowns were lifted. I agree with a pp that stress can have a massive effect on your menstrual cycle.

When I was very depressed/stressed a few years ago I went 16 wks without a period and I was usually regular as clockwork. Day 27 on the dot of every cycle. I did check with the GP after about 12 wks, so around the third missed period.
He ruled out any physical causes but told me that with the stress I was under, it wasn't unheard of for this to happen.

@AmIdoingthisright. What do you mean by the weather comment? Utter nonsense.

Are you double jabbed? I have been like clockwork for many many years, after my first jab I skipped a period and since my second I can go 8 weeks between, bleed for 2 weeks, have a little pink spotting instead, have a heavy black period, I'm all over the place and I don't believe it's a coincidence

@BurnedToast - how rude you are. I was giving some advice my acupuncturist gave me when I was in the same situation. If it's not for you, fine, but there's no need to be so dismissive.
@periodshavestoppedwhy - good luck to you. I hope you find something that helps.

@greyspottedgoose

Are you double jabbed? I have been like clockwork for many many years, after my first jab I skipped a period and since my second I can go 8 weeks between, bleed for 2 weeks, have a little pink spotting instead, have a heavy black period, I'm all over the place and I don't believe it's a coincidence

I am yes, at the point of the second jab I’d gone 100 days no bleeding, had spotting the next day and just occasional spotting since . When I saw GP in August it was the first question she asked funnily enough, so it must be happening to others too .

There have been several threads on here about Covid vax and disruption of menstrual cycle. It seems there are lots of women affected.
My periods stopped altogether after 2nd vax. I'm 52, so it's not surprising they've stopped, but it was very sudden, not petering out.

Perhaps the vaccinations compounded an existing separate problem for you, OP?

Mine stopped, I was diagnosed with graves disease and apparently no periods is common at the beginning.

Any thyroid issues?

Thyroid was what I was going to say. Overactive.

Thyroid runs in my family yes, my gran’s had hers removed years ago and my dad has whichever one makes you overweight (under active I think) . Will ask GP if she can check for that .

Make sure your lower abdomen is well-protected in cold weather - this is very important

I’m also intrigued by this comment!
Luckily my lower abdomen comes with its own substantial insulation.

OP sorry, not to make light of what you’re facing, I don’t have any experience of it I’m afraid beyond that changes to weight can affect periods a lot. I hope the GP is helpful and refers you on.

Yes, i have PCOS and my periods once stopped for a whole year. Then came back so i had only 2 or 3 a year. For me, triggers are weight gain and stress. If i get my weight back down, then they usually come back. My GP referred me to endocrinology dept at hospital as apparently less than 2 periods a year can cause longer term problems. Before i had my DD, he prescribed metformin, which brought them back. Planning on going back onto it in Jan when i stop breastfeeding to help bring them back.

I had this when I lost a lot of weight really fast.

I had covid and covid vaccines and have barely had one since.

@GuidingSpirit

Yes, i have PCOS and my periods once stopped for a whole year. Then came back so i had only 2 or 3 a year. For me, triggers are weight gain and stress. If i get my weight back down, then they usually come back. My GP referred me to endocrinology dept at hospital as apparently less than 2 periods a year can cause longer term problems. Before i had my DD, he prescribed metformin, which brought them back. Planning on going back onto it in Jan when i stop breastfeeding to help bring them back.

That sounds like what I was told in August, that it can eventually lead to endometrial cancer . It must be two or three years - definitely at least two, I think the last time was about August 2018 - since I’ve had an ultrasound so maybe worth asking them to check.

I’ve got all the symptoms of being due a month, grumpy, spotty, tired and heavy discharge and a bit crampy but nothing like an actual period .

I did ask for metformin before but told they won’t prescribe anything for PCOS unless actively trying to conceive . My BMI is over 40 so it’s maybe all just because I’m fat .

That's quite serious! I don't think a GP is capable to deal with these situations, I would book an appointment with your OBGYN, asap. They can test better, scan you internally, do a smear test and bloods. I respect GPs, and adore mine, but some things are better to be looked at by specialists

Sounds like the jabs to me, but I doubt that being morbidly obese is going to help your overall health either.