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Women's health

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Original poster

No period for 4 months - not pregnant

31 replies

Miamoo134 · 02/12/2021 11:02

Hi all. I've been so worried about what's going on as I've had no periods since beginning of Aug 2021 so 4 months now! Not looking to have children for another year or 2 but still concerned about what could be going on. I've been to the GP and he said all my bloods have come back normal and I'm on the waiting list for ultrasound which is about 3 months on the NHS. I rang up doctors today to chase a second blood test result and the receptionist said my iron levels are normal and that I won't need an appt but I questioned how she can dictate if I need an appt or not?! I said it was done as part of an investigation and clearly there is more to investigate. Anyway after all that they had no appts left for the day anyway! My periods have been erratic for about 4 or 5 years now and can start between 4 to 7 weeks of the last one. But I've never missed a period for more than 8 weeks. No signs of PCOS as I've had an ultrasound for this few years back with irregular periods and recent blood works normal. Nothing significant has happened in my life this year really apart from regular career stress and general anxiety which I've had since like 8-9 years. I'm happily married but my sex drive is incredibly low. I could literally not do it again and it wouldn't bother me. I just don't know what could be going on!! Anyone experienced anything similar?

OP posts:
Mushrooms0up · 02/12/2021 11:05

Hi,

This happened to me. I came off the pill in march, had a couple of periods then one in august and nothing until last week.

I was also on the waiting list for an ultrasound but period arrived last week. I have pcos and I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but my period arrived about 3 weeks after I started drinking spearmint tea (2 cups a day, and had to be spearmint not peppermint).

It’s so frustrating though isn’t it and the waiting lists are insane! I got a referral for the scan and haven’t even been able to get through to book an appointment….

Original poster
Miamoo134 · 02/12/2021 11:38

I've not heard of the spearmint tea thing before! Last year I was told I could have it due to blood results indicating and other symptoms but it was never concrete. I don't even feel like my body is trying to have a period. There's no cramps or bloating or any issues in that sense! Hope the ultrasound date comes soon. The waiting lists are crazy :( not enough resources out there!

OP posts:
Mushrooms0up · 02/12/2021 13:53

I know it’s so frustrating!! I felt the same, low sex drive and like my body had stopped even trying - I stopped even checking.

Like I say, the tea could be a complete coincidence but it was only £6 or so for a box so I figured better than nothing.

I hope your appointment comes through soon - are they planning to give you progrsterone to bring in your period if it doesn’t arrive? I think that’s what my Dr was planning

AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/12/2021 15:59

Hi Miamoo

re your comment:-
"No signs of PCOS as I've had an ultrasound for this few years back with irregular periods and recent blood works normal".

PCOS cannot be ruled out on such a basis and you need up to date test results. Anything done over six months ago should be discounted.

The cystic follicles associated with PCOS can and do disappear only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. It can also take a skilled sonographer to spot these. The polycystic ovary too can appear larger than normal (i.e walnut) size and can have a "ring of pearls" appearance to it.

What hormone levels were looked at and on which cycle days? I ask this question because bloodwork taken on the "wrong" cycle days can give the patient a meaningless and or otherwise misleading result. Your thyroid gland levels should also be looked at too via blood tests. Some GPs do not always recognise such problems when presented with them so you really need to see a gynae here.

Original poster
Miamoo134 · 02/12/2021 20:30

I feel so sorry for the hubby even though he's so patient with me. At the moment the doctor hasn't suggested anything like progesterone but I'm not sure what they'll suggest if they say my iron levels are okay! Maybe because I'm not planning on having a baby any time soon they just say to wait it out? I love the NHS but honestly wish things were faster! I'm sure the ultrasound will find the issue!

OP posts:
Original poster
Miamoo134 · 02/12/2021 20:31

feel so sorry for the hubby even though he's so patient with me. At the moment the doctor hasn't suggested anything like progesterone but I'm not sure what they'll suggest if they say my iron levels are okay! Maybe because I'm not planning on having a baby any time soon they just say to wait it out? I love the NHS but honestly wish things were faster! I'm sure the ultrasound will find the issue!

OP posts:
Original poster
Miamoo134 · 02/12/2021 20:39

@AttilaTheMeerkat I suppose that's true the last scan was a long time ago and the bloods were last year! The scan several years ago was due to when my irregular periods first started and I thought because I'd just had my coil removed they might still be irregular. They said one of my ovaries was slightly larger than the other but there's no other issues. Gp then suggested that I go on the pill to regulate them. Then last year I suffered with quote a lot of hair loss so they did the blood works and found my prolactin was high and they repeated the test and it was normal. They also found some androgen level was high on the second one and suggested I "might" have PCOS and it's all about symptom control- again suggested I go on the pill. But without the pill my periods were irregular but still okay according to the dr. Now with no periods for 4 months I'm definitely going to pester them, because 4 months is definitely concerning :( to be 28 and wanting children soon and thinking the worst is a horrible feeling

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 02/12/2021 21:15

A normal cycle is a cycle day of between 21and 35 days or with less than 4 days of variation from month to month.

I think you are wise to contact the doctor further and from thatpush for a referral to a gynaecologist. Many gps are simply not up to speed on such issues.

Something is causing all this and PCOS is a common cause of ongoing irregular periods. I note too that some androgen levels were elevated, again this can be seen with PCOS.

Original poster
Miamoo134 · 03/12/2021 22:40

Mine used to be similar to something like having one after 4 weeks, then 6 then 5 etc so would that be classed as abnormal? Feeling so rubbish. Going away for a spa weekend and honestly just thinking worst case scenario 😣

OP posts:
Original poster
Miamoo134 · 03/12/2021 22:41

Definitely will be trying to push for a referral to a gynaecologist next week and I'll ask if my ultrasound can be sooner rather than later. Things are maybe pointing to PCOS - I just hope they can clarify it with the scan if something comes up - last time they found nothing maybe because of the point I was at in my cycle?

OP posts:
alwaystakethetrip · 03/12/2021 22:48

I had this, thought I was going through the menopause, but no - turns out it was stress related. I changed jobs and lo and behold, my cycle returned to normal (I didn't even realise I was particularly stressed, but in hindsight I was)

reshetima · 03/12/2021 22:51

Have your prolactin levels been checked? My periods stopped for a while in my twenties, and it turned out to be prolactinoma (eminently treated with pills, though took a while to get dose right).

Original poster
Miamoo134 · 04/12/2021 00:21

@reshetima to be honest I've never felt this stressed in my life so although I want to deny that it could be stress related, I really can't.

I do wonder if its stopped since I've put weight on a little bit more. I'm still the same size and I am over weight (size 16 uk) but definitely feel bigger than I was a year ago.

Last year my prolactin levels came higher than normal and then they repeated the test and they were normal. So I'm wondering if due to cycle changes it went normal but I was still having periods then!

I should probably really focus on losing some weight and just becoming healthier I think

OP posts:
reshetima · 04/12/2021 15:19

Poor you! I do wish you better. I would say though that as a sufferer with endometriosis, which took 9 years of being dismissed as stress before they worked it out, that you should persist in trying to get a diagnosis if you feel there's more to it than that.

Flowers
CherieBabySpliffUp · 04/12/2021 15:22

Unless I missed it, you've not said your age.
It is entirely possible that you're entering peri menopause.

megletthesecond · 04/12/2021 15:25

I was thinking peri too. Especially if you're 40+.
Make sure you get checked out though.

christmaspavlova · 05/12/2021 07:25

Op has said she is 28. Peri is possible but highly unlikely.

twoastars · 05/12/2021 07:39

I have heard good things about reflexology helping to regulate irregular cycles. Not in place of being checked out medically of course but may be a route to look into. Ditto acupuncture.

Original poster
Miamoo134 · 06/12/2021 16:06

Oh gosh I think I did forget to mention my age 😅 I'm 28! I definitely feel like there's more to it. I've got some raging period like cramps today after 4 months and I've never been so happy to have them!! I'm on a spa break and I don't even care if I start because I just want to have a period. My period cramps are quite painful where I just cant focus and the pain streams through my thighs but they did keep dismissing it. Maybe the ultrasound within next few weeks will show what's going on!

OP posts:
stardust1994 · 05/01/2023 20:01

Hey @Miamoo134, I know it’s been ages but what was the outcome in the end? I have a similar problem but it’s been even longer and my GP doesn’t seem to think there’s an issue 🤦‍♀️

Pearfacebanana · 05/01/2023 20:07

I was like this at your age but with PCOS. They gave me norithisterone to kick start my periods. It was pretty hideous but did the job.

stardust1994 · 05/01/2023 20:24

Thanks! I'm currently 28 and had loads of blood tests and scans but everything is apparently normal despite no period for almost a year. Really want something to kick start my periods.

@Pearfacebanana - what did the norithisterone do and how long did it take to work?

Pearfacebanana · 05/01/2023 20:33

Hi I can't remember how long it took to work, a few days I think. It just made me very emotional and crying all the time, few sweats and cramps etc.

stardust1994 · 05/01/2023 20:39

Thanks for responding. Hope everything is well for you now @Pearfacebanana :)

rosydreams · 05/01/2023 20:46

i am now wondering if i should get checked.I have not had my period since November like 2 months.Copper coil usually clock work now poof ,very confused only 33 .