Irregular periods (but not pcos)

[SMurphy91]

Bit of a long one, looking for advice please! I have recently been tested for pcos (blood test and pelvic ultrasound). My blood test showed that certain hormones are double what they should be but the doctor rushed through explaining so I don't know which ones or possible causes other than pcos. I was referred for an ultrasound which I thought would be internal but turned out to be pelvic. The sonographer told me everything looked fine, no pcos and "my irregular cycles may sort themselves out over time" (it's been 13 years of irregularity and recently getting worse. Add to that me and DH are starting ttc now so don't really have time to wait...). Rang my doctors this morning and they've had my results for a week but didn't make an appt with me because I don't have pcos! I've made an appt for next week anyway because I want to know what my options are while ttc with irregular periods (around 6 per year)
Does anyone have experience of ttc with irregular periods that aren't caused by pcos? Is there anything the doctor can do to help or would I have to try for 12 months first?

What is your weight? Sometimes this effect period and hormones. Diet and stress also effect. If I’m unhealthy my cycle is shorter. But if I eat healthy and normal (not so many sweets) period is 28 days cycle.

Ask your GP to check your prolactin levels. Mine said they checked as sometimes if you're stressed, prolactin can increase and suppress ovulation/periods.

My weight is normal, around 22 bmi. As a teenager I was naturally very thin but have been a healthy weight for around 8 years now so don't think this will be a factor for me. I've been irregular ever since starting my period at 14 so don't think it will be stress related either. It's so frustrating!

I've had ongoing problems with periods for the last five years or so, lasting 60-90 days, 5-14 days off then starting again. Full periods as well, not just spotting, with the occasional 3-5 days of very heavy bleeding. Had scans, blood tests, all normal. Saw a specialist for about 30 seconds who said all tests were normal and gave me a medication to stop the bleeding, which has worked but hasn't solved the underlying issue of what's causing it, which will cause further problems when we start to think about TTC. Feels like they couldn't be bothered so just gave me something to shut me up, but I'm so happy to not be bleeding constantly I haven't had the energy to go back yet.

I too have always been thin and healthy weight. My BMI is 21 after 2 dc and in high school 20. But still my diet always effect my periods. In high school I was always slim but ate loads of sweets and periods where irregular or quite short cycles. This carried on until early 20s when I took an interest in health and changed diet (just to be healthy and not to lose weight). Periods became like clockwork 28 day cycle. After 2 D.C. I started the habit of having wine a few nights a week (similar as sugars!). And periods became irregular. Now I’ve decided to be healthy again, as we want a third and I’m hoping to get a clockwork 28 day cycle again 😀

You don't need cysts in your ovaries to get a diagnosis of pcos. You need 2 out of 3 criteria. See link to NHS webpage below:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/diagnosis/

Yes I agree with mini mum. I don't have cysts and just a little too much testosterone so I was diagnosed as 'borderline' pcos. In reality as long as I keep my bmi in the healthy range it doesn't affect me apart from having extremely irregular periods (4-8 a year) and I have not had any difficulty conceiving. Although having less periods over a year can seem like s major issue for fertility, if you manage to catch your ovulation and everything else works well

I thought the same which is why I'm a little confused about the doctors deciding no further action or appts are needed. I obviously have something going on to cause such long cycles and my doctor knows I'm ttc
Diet-wise, I have SED (selective eating disorder) so it's not easy to change what I eat. I'm following slimming world though and eat plenty of fruit/veg and drink on very rare occasions - a couple every few months or so if that.
I'm just wondering if the doctor will suggest I try for a year before intervening or if there is anything they might be able to prescribe to encourage ovulation?

I also have other symptoms of pcos (hair on my face/stomach/fingers/toes etc.)

Many years ago I was told by a doctor that I 'don't look polycystic'. In the surgery. With no further examination. I was there for irregular periods. Presumably because I wasn't overweight or particularly hairy. I pushed for a scan and I did have cysts so slightly different than you and we did get further treatment. Baby eventually came with clomid and 2nd baby came naturally. After that periods went to pot again with up to 10 week cycles. I used Agnus cactus as a supplement to regulate cycles. Next cycle was 30 days. Following cycle I was pregnant. I'm not medically trained so lm not saying you should do this without further research but it worked for me.
In the meantime push your doctor because something clearly isn't going quite as its meant to. As for your hormone results again and explore those. Good luck.