Still no period after ERPC

[hubbahubster]

Hi all, had an ERPC on 9 June and still no AF. Been to the GP three times and on the last time was told it could be six months! Pretty astonishing since everywhere I've read says no more than three. Feel like no one's listening to me. I'm just being told not to think about it, don't worry as I'm only 33 etc? I'm actually a very laid-back person but I'm being made to feel as if it must be my fault as I'm 'obviously' obsessing over it, which just isn't true. Any hope/advice?

That does seem like a long time - I was told by the hospital it could be up to about 6 - 9 weeks for periods to return. Did you have irrelgular cycles before the MC? Did you get a negative pregnancy test after the ERPC and have you been TTC since?

Not sure what to advise really apart from maybe contacting the hospital where you had the procedure rather than your GP (who, in my experience, are usually pretty clueless when it comes to TTC/MC issues).

Hi hubbahubster,

(I think we might have spoken about this before?)

I am in the same boat! And its not the first time! Sigh.

My first ERPC was for retained placenta after DS was born. Didnt get period for 6 months, went to see a gynecologist (in Costa Rica where a I live) and was prescribed 10 day course of progesterone to bring on period. It worked and normal cycles resumed. Blood tests showed that I had an over active thyroid which is apparently a common, temporary and self correcting problem after childbirth.

Second ERPC was 7 July for complications after mmc. Havent had AF and its been over 11 weeks. Just about to start same 10 day course again, even though my thyroid is OK this time. My (new) gyne said I could take progesterone or put myself on the pill for a couple of months as it would have the same effect. I prefer the progesterone, because if there is a problem I dont want it to be "masked" for a couple of months (and I want to TTC as soon as poss!)

If I were you, I would try to find another doctor as you are obviously not getting the sympathy and help you deserve. I was told not having a period for 6 months is dangerous because you can develop cysts (I did, all gone now) which may cause even greater problems.

If this is not an option, go back to him/her and discuss going on the pill, ask if there are any risks associated with this if you really have a problem that is not showing up (in the hope he would say YES and give you the progesterone!)

Also, get in touch the the miscarriage association online or by phone and see if you can get hold of some leaflets. I am sure that there must be one that says in black and white when exactly you should see your doctor after not getting AF. Perhaps showing that to your doc will help?

Hope you get some answers, its very unfair that you have to suffer like this. xxxx

hubba I'm so sorry this is happening to you and cannot stress strongly enough the importance of badgering them about helping you. It's a sad state of affairs but it seems pestering and/or sobbing on them seems to be the only method of actually getting anything done.

After my incredibly long-winded mc (I had the opposite problem of no periods and just bled continuously for months!), I finally convinced my GP to run some tests - which proved I was not ovulating 6 months later and STILL he told me to wait a further 6 months for my body to recover naturally. If I had not gone back to the GP for that amount of time, I would still be waiting for help a year later and presumably still bleeding! I ended up taking the pill for the sake of sanity, which I really don't recommend. I agree with Mummy that it will only mask potential problems. It also really depends on the type of pill you take as to its balance of oestrogen and progesterone. The wrong one can open up a whole other can of worms if there is already a hormonal imbalance!

Thankfully, the ladies on this site encouraged me to go back (I felt like such a weepy nuisance by then) and I'm finally getting some proper help. It's horrible trying to move on from a mc, particularly if you can't get closure, want to conceive again or are just plain scared that there may be something seriously wrong with you. If you can't go back to your GP, find a different one, or better yet go back to the staff who performed your ERPC. This is your life and you deserve some help NOW.

I'm also in agreement about the lack of periods causing other health issues further down the line. It isn't healthy and should be investigated, regardless of the miscarriage. It baffles me that medical staff can be so unhelpful in this situation as it's such an emotional nightmare as it is. Have to agree with Twinkle in that the majority of GPs are not remotely specialised in terms of Gynae stuff and, if they can't advise you themselves, they should be referring you on to someone who can help!

Best of luck to you. It's such a horrible thing to go through.