AIBU to ask for a referral?

[Rhinojump0]

This is my first time posting so I hope this is the right forum. I apologise for this being so long.

I'm a 22 year old female who hasn't had any periods for 2 years, aisde from the artificial periods induced by the pill. In mid-late 2016, I went vegeterian and decided to lose a bit of weight so cut my calories down to 1800 a day. I exercise a fair amount so lost weight but it was very slow. I have gone from 127 lbs to 109 lbs (my current weight, I'm 5 ft 6 inches). My periods stopped about 2 months after starting this so in early 2017, I had blood tests (normal) and an ultrasound. My doctor said I had PCOS which makes sense as I have excess hair etc. But no periods at all was unlike me, I used to get terribly heavy periods, lots of pain, blood clots - sometimes 2 periods a month!

I then went on the pill for 6 months. When I stoppes for 5 months, I had no periods. I went on it again for another 2 packets and stopped again until March this year, during which time I had no periods. I was then in the pill until last month.

Last month I went to the doctor to ask about my lack of periods as my partner and I were considering having kids within the next 4-5 years. She did a blood test but forgot I was on the pill so the results (which showed very low FSH etc) were unreliable. I've now stopped the pill and have to wait another 3 months for another blood test.

Am I wrong to ask again for a referral for this? I wasn't referred when I last asked because my doctor said I was too young to worry about fertility. But I haven't had periods in 2 years and am absolutely convinced I won't ever get pregnant. I cry everyday. I don't know if this is all because of the PCOS or if it's because I'm now underweight (but my last doctor told me to lose weight to control PCOS. I was 9 stone at the time).

I'm so so lost and worried for my health and don't know what to do.

Any help would be really appreciated

You are quite underweight, OP, which can prevent menstruation. You were not overweight when you were nine stone, so I find it difficult to accept this is what the GP meant - perhaps they meant that you need to keep your weight down (in the 'normal' range) in order to control the PCOS.

What are you doing to increase your weight? Are you having support with it?

Thanks for your reply HugAndRoll.

I spoke to my GP about it when I saw her last month and gave her a food diary which she was happy with. Since January I've been eating more. It varies a lot, sometimes 2000, other times 1700, then maybe 2500 if I have a takeaway. I struggle to eat more and am so worried about making the pcos worse. I can't tell if I'm being irrational.

Your periods have almost certainly stopped because of your weight. There is no point being referred until your weight has been normal for a few months as this is the most likely cause and there is nothing that a consultant can do about it. If your periods don't return at that point then bloods and a possible referral to gynae or endocrinology will be appropriate.

I do think you are right, or that my weight at least explains why my periods haven't returned as they first stopped when I was 9 stone which I always thought was fine.

I am finding it hard to gain weight, I admit.

Thanks for your response yikesanotherbooboo.

I weigh about the same as you, but I’m short so I’m in a normal range for my height. I think you may be underweight too. I totally resonate with how hard it is to overeat and gain weight though - it’s very difficult, (especially if you’re both vegetarian and an active person, so will naturally burn a lot of calories and stay at a deficit!). However this is something that you need to focus on for your general health.

You can definitely ask for a referral, but you may need to wait for the blood test results first as there is probably certain criteria at primary care level that needs to be checked first before a referral is accepted. It could be possible that the pill is still causing your lack of periods - your body needs time to adjust back to normal. Which pill were you taking? Also what were the results of your ultrasound- was everything normal?

I think your next step is going back to your GP and really speaking about this in depth. Your wires seem to have been crossed regarding your weight for example. It seems like multiple aspects could be causing your lack of periods such as your weight, pcos, the pill etc. It definitely seems like your gp isn’t too concerned about this, but I think 2 years without a period is a bit strange. Best to go back and have a chat. I’m not a medical professional, but the fact that you used to have standard periods suggests that you aren’t infertile, but maybe a hormonal imbalance perhaps

Also putting on weight will definitely assist in having a healthy pregnancy/baby in the future something to absolutely focus on.

Agree with other posters that low weight and excessive exercise can stop menstruaton. I would increase your calories and get more healthy fat in your diet, specifically cholesterol as this is what female hormones are synthesised from. As you’re not in a hurry to conceive I would try this for a few months before you go for a referral. Please don’t worry about conceiving, many, many women with PCOS get pregnant, especially with ovulation induction.

I had this problem, I was exercising a lot and eating around 1400 cals a day. I came off the pill and no periods.

They came back when I relaxed the regime a bit. You may have to accept you need to be a bit less strict about diet and exercise.

Hi Namechangeuni

I've been taking Gedarel which I like as it has no side effects. My ultrasound showed cysts on my ovaries, I'm not sure how extensive it was as this was never explained to me and regrettably I didn't probe this much as I wasn't very worried at the time. This was a year and a half ago.

I feel that it is multiple factors and i simply don't know where or how to start.

Thank you for your advice, I think seeing the GP again to talk is a good idea.

I think 22 is too young to be concerned about fertility and at any rate use the 3-month waiting period to focus on gaining weight.

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it. I will try to focus a bit more on my weight, I realise that it's a very basic thing. I've never had to think about it before all this.

My DD has PCOS and doesn't have periods. She didn't used to ovulate regularly, which is what counts, ovulation/hormone levels, not periods.

She had the Coil fitted to protect her from Female Cancers, the coil moved and the hormones from it, meant that she got pregnant. She had a Baby.

She then didn't have periods again and because i had, had secondary infertility, she (they) decided that they wanted to try again and then hopefully stick with two children.

Luckily she was ovulating enough to get pregnant, her DP has a high sperm count, which helped.

She now has a second Baby.

She met lots of omen who didn't have periods, but it didn't mean that they were infertile, some needed some help, but not anything drastic.

Of Course others will need more intervention, but util you know for sure, don't assume the worse.

Just to add, she went from horrendous bleeds to no periods, when she was around 16. It was like a tap being turned off, which was frustrating because she had suffered so much during her school years.

That was when investigations really started because the protection from Cancers is important if your hormones aren't working as they should (in simple terms).

22 isn't too early to be thinking about fertility. Under 30's have a much better chance of less intensive intervention than older Women.

For your own sake, wait the three months, you don't want unnecessary intervention, prodding etc.

You are young enough for there to be answers for you, to get this sorted out.

Thank you for telling me that Birdsgottafly, I found that very reassuring. I'm so glad things worked out for your daughter, it gives me some hope. That's why I want to try and explore this earlier rather than wait 5 or more years and be unprepared for difficulties.