extremely irregular periods

[fruitloop79]

I was just wondering how you know when you're ovulating if you have very long cycles? Mine are all over the place. 1 period every 2 or 3 months is normal for me (when not on pill)

Also I took last pill at the beginning of Aug, 1st period didnt come till end of Sept. I'm now on CD57 - def not pg, did a test yesterday.

How long does it take for pill to come out of system?

Also, is there any way I can regulate periods?

The pill leaves your system very quickly after you have taken the last tablet. There is no real evidence to suggest that the pill is responsible for failure to ovulate but what it can do is mask symptoms of any underlying hormonal imbalance.

A condition called polycystic ovaries is often the root cause behind irregular cycles if thyroid problems are ruled out. PCO and its related syndrome called PCOS is very common; around 1 in 5 women have polycystic ovaries.

PCO is a condition whereby the ovaries are covered with cystic follicles and the ovaries can appear larger than normal (walnut) size on an internal ultrasound. Polycystic ovaries interferes with ovulation and can cause irregular periods. Having irregular periods means you are less likely to be ovulating if at all. It can be diagnosed with blood tests and ultrasounds. A blood test would test levels of LH (luteining hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulation hormone). In many instances of women with PCO the level of LH far exceeds that of FSH (ideally the levels of these two hormones should be the same).

If your cycles are irregular you can have a blood test done according to calendar days i.e the 3rd and 21st of the month.

I would visit your GP asap and ask for a referral to a gynaecologist for a diagnosis - you need a diagnosis first and foremost.

Do not try and self treat with anything like Agnus castus (as it can make these hormonal problems worse) - seek out a gynae via your GP and get a diagnosis.

HTH

Thanks Attila

I have actually got hypothyrodism but take thyroxine so that shouldnt be the problem and I had PCOS ruled out a few years ago. I'll check it out with the doc in case it affects my fertility. I already have a DS who was conceived after being on and off the pill for 3 years. So at least I know it's possible! . Just dont wanna have to wait that long again.

Thanks for your help

Loopy

Loopy maybe you only have one ovary functioning. Have you been checked for that? It might explain why having such long gaps between periods is normal for you. [caveat - I am not a Dr!)

thanks petit, I'll check with GP . I get so fed up not knowing what's going on , not desperate for a baby just now, if it happens then fab but if not yet, not too bothered. Just don't wanna get to the point where we are desperate and then find out we have problems

Alot of people are mentioning pcos,can pcos be cured? I keep hearing about it and is it treatable or is it just that women who have it don't ovulate as often and have a harder time getting pregnant? I have had blood tests for thyroid and some to check my hormone levels and it has all come up as normal but a/f is still all wacky! I have not had a period since September after having a m/c in August( I bled for the entire month) and I have not been on the pill since the end of June. So frustrating, I have to wait until Feb. to see a gyno!! I am trying not to stress over it, but it is hard because I want to start ttc, but don't know if I should wait for a/f to show up before starting to try again. Has anyone heard of the herb Vitex? I hear it helps to regulate your period and improve fertility?

woo2woo

I would ask whether it is possible to see a gynae far earlier than February given your gynae history.

PCOS cannot be cured (the cystic follicles on the ovaries always come back) but it can be controlled and managed. Verity is a good website for such women (www.verity-pcos.org.uk)

Vitex is another name for Agnus Castus. I would not self medicate with this herb at all as in some cases it can make underlying hormonal imbalance worse (particularly if PCO/S are issues).

You need a diagnosis first and foremost and I would go all out to seek one before commencing treatment.

I have had the blood test for pcos and they did 2 scans in Sept.during/ after the m/c to see what was going on, don't you think that they would be able to tell if I had PCOS? How do they diagnose this other wise? I also had a laprascopy last year,I had another m/c last year in Sept and they thought it was an etopic pregnancy( which it wasnt, thank God) The Gynae at the hosptial said everything was fine.Just not getting my period right now,so weird!