advice on possible hormone problems and ttc.........

[biggernow]

Hello hello
been trying to ttc no.2 for sometime...stopped breastfeeding 4 months ago (but for last 3 months of it was only doing 1 a day during day...) My periods came back around when son was 8.5 months old and been sort of regular since stopping bfing.....some 25 days, some 28 some 32...
I am starting to worry I have a major hormone imbalance....my pmt never used to be bad, but heck it is now....lower back ache, tension headaches, mood swings, bloating, tears and I get brown discharge (sorry if tmi..) a few days before proper AF comes and then I have dreadful cramping during period......Thought I had implantation bleeding this month as had pinky discharge a few days ago- but now brown and neg preg test......so guess either it tried and couldn't or I am having some kind of shutdown down there....
What do I need to ask my Doc for? Blood tests??
Worrying it is menopause or something...or just have too little prostegone or something.....I am 31......
Anyone got any ideas? Feel very blue.......
Thanks

I am not an expert but this does not sound like menopause to me. You are only 31 and cycles ranging from 25-32 days are not particularly irregular. FWIW, my cycles have been between 27 and 32 days in the last year and my hormones are fine! Anyway, some irregularity after stopping breastfeeding is not that unusual - my periods a few months after stopping were 60-odd days apart...

The PMS does sound like an issue. Maybe it would be worth seeing your GP about all of this (to get checked over/put your mind at rest), but there are some things you could try yourself, such as evening primrose oil (maybe also a fish oil supplement - I take a combined one made by Zita West called Vital DHA and I think it helped even me out) and maybe you could give acupuncture a try. Alternatively you sound really stressed and something like yoga to help you relax might not hurt.

HTH

Hi biggernow,

Please try not to worry yourself unduly.

I would talk to your GP anyway if the nature of your periods have changed markedly in terms of pain and or regularity. Would not think you are peri menopausal but do seek medical advice from your GP in any event.

Brown discharge is usually "old" blood.

A "normal" cycle is a cycle length of between 21 and 35 days or with less than 4 days of variation from month to month. If you are having any bleeding between periods this should be checked out further to ascertain the cause.

A blood test could determine what your hormone levels are like.

HTH, do speak to your GP and get answers.

Attila x

Sorry for delay in my response- had a crazy few days.
It has turned out I have had a chemical pregnancy.....feel very bizarre and don't feel Doc is being very helpful- but I guess there is little she can do. Have dreadful period and back pain now......I know they are very common, but have a feeling I have had one before so am a little concerned there is some sort of problem....anyway, Doc won't run any tests yet so have no choice but to be patient.
It's all very frustrating.
thanks for your answers...
BN x