[piglet167]

Hey there, I would really appreciate some advice!!

Firstly can I just say that I apologize if this post is extremely similar to other posts. I did have a look through other posts but didn’t find one that I felt answered my problem.

I’m 18 years old and really fed up with my cycle. For the past few years my cycle has been extremely irregular. I’m aware this is normal as I have been growing, but now that I’m 18, my cycle has not improved at all, if anything it’s worse.

The past couple of years my cycle has been awful. Countless occasions I have not come on for months, I think the record so far was nine months. Throughout that time I was extremely paranoid about pregnancy. That paranoia was the cause of the missed periods throughout that time because I was just constantly worried, but after all tests turned out negative, my period came on again more of less straight away, so in the past I have discovered that stress does play havoc with my cycle.

However the last year or so has been terrible. It’s got to the point now where it’s a surprise when my period comes, because I have it so rarely. I have been worried on countless occasions about my fertility as naturally I long for a family one day. My periods began to regulate again in the past few months, but a week or so ago now when I was due I got nothing except very dark discharge, not very heavy, for around two days. I got the usual period symptoms – emotional roller coaster the day before, cramps, headaches etc but then nothing but the very dark brown discharge.

In terms of health, I am a little overweight but not extremely. A brief history – I firstly started my periods when I was around 11, but when I was this age I was very chubby, so I don’t know if weight would really affect this?. Unfortunately I developed an eating disorder at that age, my periods then stopped and did not return until I was about thirteen. This has always been another worry concerning my periods as I worry that having the eating disorder so young hindered my pubic development. This is probably silly, but I do worry about it, as my breasts did not develop either. They’re still the same size as they were when I was about 12/13, which is another thing I worry about.

I am a worrier and get stressed and anxious a lot, but I am sick to death of my cycle, because as soon as I miss a period, all these little fears about my fertility creep back, and then it just gets worse and worse and then months and months go by without a period.

Could there be something wrong with me? Could it actually be something to do with fertility? I would REALLY appreciate any advice. Thank you xxxx

p.s I have never taken the pill, only ever used condoms.

[ItsASecret]

Stress, eating disorders, low body weight, and regular hormones from puberty (they are all over the place during that time) will contribute to irregular cycles. Brown discharge is old blood/uterine lining. It is common after a period because it is leftover remnants that decided not to shed when they were supposed to. Going to the doctor and discussing these irregular periods is a good idea. They may suggest you going on birth control as they are quite effective in creating very regular periods.

[FlamingoThePink]

Your post sounds exactly like what I have and currently am experiencing. I am also 18, had an eating disorder, started my period at 11 and was chubby although I had a poor body image, I didn't start my eating disorder until I was 12 and started eating again when I was 16. Luckily, my breasts have delveloped but everyone has a different body growth rate. I know some girls who were flat chested until they were in college or until they had children. If you have grown pubic hair and armpit fuzz, that is a sign you have hit puberty. I know stress always plays a huge role in the way a body functions but sometimes its hard to tell yourself to let go a little. I know women who had irregular periods like you and I until they hit their mid twenties but like I said, everyone is very different. I have my first appointment to get on birth control this Tuesday and I plan on discussing my irrgular cycle with the doctor and I would be more than happy to let you know what she tells me since our period situations are similar. I know you need to see a GYN after you become sexually active but I was never able to see one until I was on my own and I started having sex at sixteen. I think it would be a good idea to scedual an appointment with someone to talk about this and if your having any cramps, discomfort or anything out of the ordinary the sooner the better. I was told that taking birth control on a regular basis helps regulate periods so this may be a plus? I'm not sure if this helped you or not but I thought I would let you know your not the only person who is having this issue