TTC with irregular periods

[wannamammy]

Hi everyone,

My first post here! Looking for general advice/reassurance really.

Have been on the pill for about 6-7 years and before that my cycles were really irregular (anywhere from 3-7 weeks) and really heavy causing me to feel feint / pass out on day 1 every time. Was reassured by a GP at the time it was unlikely to be PCOS.
I’m now 31 and came off the pill over the summer and although I’ve not felt feint yet, my cycles have been irregular - so far ranging from 28-43 days and counting (have tested negative).

I’ve read that you should wait a year before going to see a doctor, but that you can go earlier than this if you have irregular periods. I can’t find anything to say how much earlier though. Can anyone speak from experience on this? How long do I wait before seeing a GP? I don’t want to waste time if they’ll just say come back later or wait and waste a year of trying if there’s a problem that can be treated now. And can anyone reassure me irregular periods aren’t a problem?

TIA

I had irregular periods and I went to see the GP after 6 months. I was then referred onto a sub fertility unit and saw them 6 months later.

Irregular periods are often caused by hormonal imbalances that can be treated. You need a diagnosis first and foremost and to this end you should be tested further to see if there are problems with the thyroid gland or polycystic ovaries. Both these can cause irregular periods to arise. The GP previously did you a disservice by dismissing PCOS here but as I mention, you do need a diagnosis. You will need to be persistent in order to get answers and I would ask them to refer you. Such problems anyway are outside a GPS remit and you need to be seen as a couple at a sub fertility unit.

Hi @wannamammy
Just to give you my experience with this: I have irregular periods ranging from 29 - 45 days. I fell pregnant after 8 months, which sadly ended in a MMC in May this year. I was concerned due to my periods and miscarriage that there could be a hormonal imbalance - so far the GP has done nothing and they will only refer me a year after my loss because I ‘can’ get pregnant. Albeit after a long time. Originally when I called after miscarriage they had said if I am still irregular for 3 months they will refer me. But on going back 3 months later, I have to wait a year.
I think it varies from GP to GP, but I would say if they don’t settle down there’s no harm in making an appointment. You may well have a very caring and understanding GP who will refer you sooner.
Try not to let it stress you out too much - people do fall pregnant with irregular cycles but you have to track to know when/if you ovulate. Good luck xx

Carefree

Am very sorry to read about your miscarriage and that you received and still receive support as and when needed.

I feel you should have been referred particularly if your cycles stay irregular.

People can indeed fall pregnant with irregular cycles but it can take far longer to do so. Also if the underlying cause of the irregular cycles is something like polycystic ovarian syndrome this can put a woman at a higher risk of miscarrying than for a woman without PCOS. Tracking cycles like this is nigh on impossible to do with any degree of accuracy or certainty.

@AttilaTheMeerkat - I totally agree that I should be referred. They’re just unwilling as I don’t meet the criteria of not conceiving for a year because I conceived early this year.
I have all the symptoms of PCOS, but all bloods and scans I’ve had over the years say otherwise.
However, I strongly believe there’s a hormone imbalance of some sort.

Any blood test and other test done over six months ago should be discounted. You need up to date test results.

Blood tests done on the "wrong" day can give meaningless and or misleading results. The cystic follicles too associated with PCOS can and do disappear and are also very small, it can take a skilled sonographer to spot this.