Hiya, I was wondering if anyone could shed any light behind what's going on 'behind the scenes' if you have irregular periods. Having come off the pill over a year ago and only having three periods in that time, I've finally been referred for some further hormone tests. I don't have the typical symptoms of PCOS but my GP seems to think it's a likely cause. I previously had a useless GP but have recently changed and feel much more heard. I'm not necessarily looking for medical advice as I'm already getting that, my question comes from a place of curiosity (and possibly lack of education) more than anything.
I understand the science behind ovulation and then having a period and how it all works when you have a regular cycle, but I was wondering if anyone could explain why, when there is a hormonal imbalance, it's possible to have some periods rather than no periods at all? So what's going on in my body when I have a period 5 months apart? Does a woman's body try to 'go through the motions' every month, but sometimes it doesn't reach the hormone 'threshold' and so tries again the following month? Or is there nothing going on at all until there's a random spike in hormones that causes ovulation/a period?
I'm not sure if I've explained myself very well here, and I must emphasise that I'm not too worried at this stage, but haven't been able to find anything that explains simply.
Thank you in advance to anyone who understands my ramblings and fancies taking a stab at explaining!