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.

If you're going to be snarky, at least read all the OP's posts first (if you can't be bothered to read the thread).

DD was diagnosed with PCOS at 13, they tested because I have it, she had period issues and bad acne. She went on the pill straight away, got treatment for the acne and i extolled the virtues of low carb low sugar which helped immensely with mine; when she watches carbs and sugar Ur definitely helps her weight and mood.

I have done, and as a GP with an interest in women's health I'd be happy to try and advise, but 'hormonal imbalance' just isn't a diagnosis we give to teenagers. Nor is PCOS, which shouldt be diagnosed within 8 years of the menarche.

Well that's all they told us. I genuinely want the test results to understand where "the imbalance is" and to get a better answer. I think unfortunately we got unlucky with the GP (no surprise there).

Why were the tests done ?

Does sound like PCOS. I had wide ranging and horrific symptoms in my teens that increased into my twenties - all of which were like a woman going through a particularly awful menopause. I paid privately and saw a specialist. 1000% worth the money. Gps often act like it’s ‘just’ a fertility issue but it can make you extremely unwell.

If she does have PCOS ensure you speak to her about contraception. My friend who is a midwife tells me she has at least 2 new mums a month with PCOS, who often think they can’t conceive!!!

To know what’s really going on she would need repeated blood tests throughout her cycle and an internal ultrasound of her ovaries. One blood test probably won’t tell you that much.

@Chattenoire you get the app with your details then add your DD as dependent. That way you have access. It's in the 'manage health services for others' once you're set up

Oh and just to warn you “the pill” comes in many forms which vary hugely in terms of hormonal profile. If she is high in one hormone and takes a pill that is high in that hormone then it will make her symptoms worse.

It was a slightly snarky manner that you delivered your previous post with. I understand you may have been trying to offer help but it came across as snappy.

PCOS SHOULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED WITHIN 8 YEARS OF STARTING PERIODS

doing so leads to massive overdiagnosis

A lot of good advice already particularly about the pill not inducing a real period (and I believe there might be an increased risk for migraine sufferers but check with an expert) but also that you don't want the lining to build up too much. I believe the appearance of polycystic ovaries is common in teenagers so not in itself a diagnosis so the blood test results are important. One piece of advice I came across is that women with hormonal imbalances should only consume full fat dairy not low fat, something to do with female hormones in the milk being filtered out when the fat gets reduced which apparently can make imbalances worse as the male hormones in the dairy remain. But I am no expert and of course it depends on the imbalance.

I think the weight loss could have something to do with it op.

My issue was similar but opposite. I had erratic periods when young and especially early twenties when my bmi was around the very bottom of the “ healthy” range. A gp told me to gain a few kilos and it improved enormously. I understand your daughter was possibly needing to lose some rather than gain, but my point really is I do think the body takes it’s cue from body weight on this issue, and if the weight has been going in an ( for that age group!) unexpected direction, her body may just be “ taking stock” and reacting to the trigger of weight loss.

Because we consulted the GP about the extremely sporadic periods.

She lost weight due to taking up roller skating (being a complete couch potato before that) so that one has a reasonable explanation.

Her weight loss and her becoming more active could be the reason. Her body is likely still adjusting. Once it has, the hormonal imbalance may correct.

Can understand why GP is considering a watch and wait approach.

Her wacky periods have always been that way. I think she was regular for the first 4 and then they started going MIA (which was before starting roller skating).

i had PCOS diagnosed at a very young ages- i had periods far apart but really heavy.
At various times the doctor told me to eat steaks (i was veggie at the time and he thought it was leaving me short of iron) or be grateful for not having periods- i didn't mind that so much it was the heavy ones that bothered me

I would press for clarity- i'm not sure what they actually do for PCOS nowadays but at least you will know what it is and rule out anything else. Also when i was asking for fertility treatment they kept asking me to prove i had PCOS

The other spanner in the works is that my DD is not registered in my surgery. She at her dad's (long story) and the app asks we're both registered at the same one

I’d try acupuncture, can be amazing especially with hormones, menstrual cycles etc.

I have fibroids and a polyp, it’s taken my bleed from 6 days of heavy flooding to just 2 days of a normal bleed, just to show how effective it can work with these sort of things.

OK, so you need the results - at 14 she can register for the app herself and get them. Assuming that there's nothing which needs urgent action such as a very high prolactin, they are probably just talking about a high LH to FSH ratio, which is pretty meaningless at her age.

The pattern you describe isn't unusual in the first two years, so, whilst this can't be individual medical advice (waves at anyone from the GMC watching!) if I were seeing a patient such as this I'd advise doing absolutely nothing (bar gaining weight if actually underweight) and it will likely resolve over the next few years. There is no medical benefit to having a period every month at the moment.

Acupuncture or anything herbal etc is an effective wallet-lightener but has no other benefits in this situation.

I’m going to go against the grain here and suggest the pill. Likely my DD has PCOS as like your DD her hormones were wildly unbalanced at that age and it has been suggested many times. She was the opposite end of the spectrum to your DD in that she was having constant periods which was affecting her heath. Doctors tried a few drugs and then eventually the pill which worked a dream for her until more recently she got a coil fitted. My DD has visited dietitians with this, tried umpteen diet changes as recommended and she has always been a total exercise bunny so all of the lifestyle changes did nothing and she was a 15 year old not well in herself.

There is no easy answer with hormone imbalances at that age. You could spend all of your time and energy trying to see what will work or you can mask the symptoms and let her live her life. After exhausting the first we still resorted to the second of these options. If I had my time back I’d save her time, energy and health and take the second option.

Take a look at Elizabeth Bright on Youtube. She argues that low fat-high carb diets mess with hormone balance and production and that women, because of their hormone needs, should eat high fat low carb. Some female hormones are produced in the body from dietary fat, so a low fat diet leads to hormonal imbalances. Take a look, or read her book, and see if it might help.

Those were my original thoughts about this situation. I knew that before she was 15/16 irregular periods were not really a big deal especially if no other symptoms are present.

I've always been super regular and for the past 7/8 years on the lighter side. Never had any real issues, and as much I have hypothyroidism it only got triggered once I became a mum.

It's 100% better to find out what is actually going on first before taking the pill and 'masking' symptoms