Teen daughter, no periods, GP blaming weight?

[mumofteenss]

My 16 year old DD has had 5 periods since she started her periods 4.5 years ago. When she got her first period she was of normal weight and height. She gained some weight in the first few years of high school when she quit sports clubs she had done when younger, She was considered overweight a year after her first period and not having a second. Now her weight is at the upper end of normal and has been for around another year, but it has been 18 months since her last period. Her BMI, though not always an accurate determine healthy weight i know, is 24.2, she looks in proportion and doesnt appear overweight. I have taken her to the GP numerous times, she has had blood tests, and an ultrasound for PCOS, these came back normal, bar testosterone which was high. GP is refusing any further investigation, and blaming her weight. She has basically said my daughter needs to lose weight and her periods will "kick in".

AIBU to think there has to be a medical reason as to how a teenage girl can only have had 5 periods in 4.5 years and want her to have some answers regarding future fertility etc now?

When she started her periods she started a tracker, so we can see he had a period June 2020, Aug & Sept 2021, Feb & March 2022, March 2023. She has no spotting between. She also suffers quite badly with acne. Any suggestions would also be appreciated. We have seen the GP atleast 10+ times regarding this issue over the years.

She is aware i am posting here for advice and was happy for me to share this information.

I’m really pleased to hear this @mumofteenss 😊

Glad you’ve had a positive experience. My 15 year old was at the paediatrician and she’s refusing to refer further for PCOS as she said she didn’t tick enough boxes for a scan. She was ignoring some of the criteria . She wasn’t counting the fact she’s about 2 stone overweight, her bloods were done a while ago and didn’t show anything but not sure if testosterone were even checked. She has badly irregular heavy periods - often lasting well over a week and then with a 2 week break til the next one one month but 3+ weeks to the next one after that. She’s not massively hairy but does have really bad acne. Paediatrician basically said she was too young be diagnosed and if she was scanned on her belly these likely find cysts as often teens get them. Wasn’t very helpful. Suggested we went back to GP to back on the pill. She came off it at Xmas as she kept forgetting to take it so her periods were worse as she kept getting extra bleeds after forgetting a whole. Her skin improved but not massively. But she gained so much weight. She’s definitely in the obese category, even if using an adult BMI. She’s got DD/E chest or more - reluctant to get properly sized and wears a sports bra due to being autistic and not liking bras. Her weight had come down a couple of kilos in 6 months. She’s definitely suggested a different pill might not put weight on and might suit better but now my daughter is reluctant. I’m also concerned as being overweight and on the pill is a concern.

It seems different doctors have different info and follow guidelines differently. I was kissed with my PCOS due to not being overweight. I had all the other symptoms and was just ignored too I couldn’t get pregnant and the tests all came back as PCOS. Even at newly 50 my acne can get quite bad. I’m even still on the pill for this reason although the GP wants to wean me into HRT as I’m not paranoid about menopause.

My 20 yr old is very slim/athletic and periods were everywhere. Went on the pill for a few yrs to regulate her periods.

now a blood test has confirmed her prolactin is sky high. Didn’t have a period for year and it came the other day. Spent all day in bed with terrible pains.

get her to see another doctor

@Sheknowsaboutme I’m glad your daughter’s been checked, try not to worry. My prolactinoma was very large but was treated with a weekly medication in tablet form. I hope your daughter gets a treatment plan in place and gets the levels down very soon - it needn’t be a lifelong problem.

Glad to hear your referral went well..My DD (23) was referred to endo last year after rapid weight gain and just 10 periods in the last 4 years. She had bloods, vaginal ultrasound and was subsequently diagnosed with PCOS. She was put on Metformin (unpleasant on the tummy) and her periods righted themselves immediately. She also lost 4 stone. She's now waiting to go back to Endo for a followup.