DD (14) has a hormonal imbalance.

[Chattenoire]

Posting here for traffic...but a bit of a sensitive matter. My daughter (14) has been diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance. We only took her to the doctor because in 2 years since she's started having periods she's had 4, and probably none this year.

The GP suggested to wait and see or putting her on the pill with no particular inclination for either (so helpful!)

Any words of advice? I think I'd rather we'd wait and see if it sorted itself out, but I've never been on the pill so really don't know what's best.

I would want to push for further investigation as it sounds like it could be PCOS.

What exactly is the imbalance? That'll surely help you decide what would be the best option. Could the imbalance point to polycystic ovaries?

Yeah I’d ask for more details of ‘hormone imbalance’. High androgen? Low oestrogen? Makes a big difference. Most likely is PCOS you could ask for a referral for USS but can be diagnosed from symptoms and bloods although would expect an actual PCOS label rather than hormone imbalance. If PCOS I’d get her to start COCP with regular pill free break to stimulate a period type cycle.

They didn't actually say, and we can't get the test results, because they only release them via the app, and she can't get the app because she's 14!

In the meantime (while I file a complaint)I'm still looking for better guidance than "either option is as good"

Id be asking for blood tests.
Pituitary tumor? Have a google.

Teenagers often have a hormone imbalance. Being under weight or over weight can cause an imbalance. Sometimes another year and it will sort it's self and sometimes as @Ohyay says there is a Pituitary issue.

The pill can help or the pill can mask.

Take two steps back and ask if she has any other health issues.

No, no other health issues apart from migraines, but they've never been too bad and he hasn't had any for a few years.

She's overweight, but has lost weight in the past year by becoming more active.

Apart from the missing period, she has no other symptoms. Her skin has got better, and has no abnormal amount of facial hair.

I have PCOS and the only symptom I have is longer periods than normal - if she's barely having any periods then something is wrong and I would be pushing for an ultrasound.

I recommend “the period repair manual” by Lara Briden. Don’t let them put her on the pill, it just masks the cause, it can’t cure anything . I wouldn’t expect much help from GP either, they don’t care you’ll just get told it’s PCOS . Better she understands her body now rather than having to learn when she goes to have a baby in years to come should she want to. Speaking from experience!

Do not go down the pill route until after investigating the cause. Tests for the likes of PCOS can't be carried out whilst taking the pill.

Thanks ladies, I think I get what you're saying. The pill will make her have her period, but we won't know what caused it in the first place.

They didn't actually say, and we can't get the test results, because they only release them via the app, and she can't get the app because she's 14!

Try putting in a Freedom of Information requestt*. You might have to be careful about the details of what you are asking for, and of the dates it relates to.

My GP surgery once actually told me to do this to get my own blood test results, before they got the online system up and running.

Please don't put her on the pill! I was on the pill for 16 years before finding out I had PCOS. It's much better to investigate further and find the cause and try to treat with lifestyle choices. They use the pill to plaster over the problem as it does relieve symptoms such as acne, but the 'period' you experience is not a true period and not reflective of your actual cycle. Push for a blood test and ultrasound. Good luck!

I'd be polite but firm, and insist on referral to consultant.

The pill doesn’t give you a period, it’s a “pill free week bleed” rather than a natural period, so wouldn’t take it for that reason.

I would wait it out personally. I know when I was a teenager my period stopped for a year and I didn’t even think to mention it/be concerned. They returned to normal and remained normal and I have three DC now. It’s probably just her body finding its rhythm and maturing at its own rate.

Pill isn’t bad but it’s just annoying that it’s always the band aid they slap on. Your best bet is to find out what hormone imbalance she has exactly and then consider your options.

Is it the NHS app OP? If so, you can request proxy access from your GP

NHS proxy access info

Suggest you look up PCOS in teenagers on NICE. You don't need an ultrasound to diagnose. The combined pill is not the only treatment but it's not healthy to let the uterus lining to build up.
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/diagnosis/diagnosis/#:~:text=In%20adolescent%20girls%2C%20both%20hyperandrogenism,hyperandrogenism)%20without%20irregular%20menstrual%20cycles.

You may be able to request a print of the test results at your surgery.

Yes it is! Thanks for this. I'll go to the surgery and ask for this. Thank you so much !

I had a very similar diagnosis at a very similar age - turned out to be PCOS. I hope you and your daughter manage to get to the bottom of this soon, OP.

Did you have any other symptoms? No one in the family has it (both sides) so we're hoping it's something else.

@Chattenoire none whatsoever! At least not visible symptoms. I was average weight, no excess body hair etc etc. My only symptom was having one very heavy period per year. I had a cystectomy in my mid-twenties which made periods more regular, but they've only truly become regular after having my baby (oh the irony).

Speaking to my mum in recent years, she's just twigged that she might have PCOS as it took her and my dad a number of years to get pregnant with me. So for me, there might well have been a family trend.

I hope your daughter finds out soon, and I'm happy to answer questions any time.

Impossible to give any advice if you're going to stick to 'a hormone imbalance' which isn't a diagnosis.......