[Bekzee]

I have very irregular periods. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I've been tested for Polycystic Ovaries and a hyperthyroid problem. I've had sexual health screenings too and a smear test, and they all came back as normal. I've tried many forms of contraceptive pills to help regulate my periods and the only thing that has allowed me to have good, regulated periods are combined pills, but my doctor is advising against those.

I'm currently using a POP pill, and they're still very irregular. I've tried being off the pill numerous times, but they become so heavy and painful that I pass out. Within the past year, my periods have been at their worst. I've had many that have lasted 3 weeks and sometimes longer, and some have been so heavy that I have to use a super tampon and a pad. I've been using an android app on my phone so that I can keep track of my cycles. Here is everything since January:

January
24 - 3 Feb

February
None

March
7 - 10
30 - 1 Apr

April
3 - 7
11 - 16
24 - 28

May
11 - 18

June
13-17

July
3 - 6
16 - 23
29 - 31

August
2 - 7
9 - present.

Also, my lifestyle, if it helps is fairly good. I have a very healthy vegan diet, I do a lot of walking, with the occasional swim, jog or gym session here and there. I don't smoke and consume very little alcohol (few pints a month at social events or with a meal).

Thank you for any help that you offer

[imommmy85]

I usually have regular periods but since I have been off of the nuva ring I have had one period for 4 days. I had unprotected sex and had another period 2 weeks later for 3 days that was mostly old blood. What could be wrong with me? I usually have a regular period for 5-7 days and a 28 day cycle.

[Bekzee]

To imommmy85, I'd probably suggest that the nuva ring was probably keeping your periods regulated with its steady release of hormomes, and now that you're off it, your body is taking a while getting used to your own natural hormones. Usually takes a few months for your body to adjust, so I'd say wait a while, see if they regulate again. If not reconsider using the nuva ring or see your doctor.

And to WildChild, I'm 20 and have been menstruating since I was 9. So yeah, 11 years of periods so far

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Oh I wish I had an answer for you, 9 years of age that sucks big time.

Seems that you have researched ALOT given your reply to the previous poster above WC..

How many Doctors opinions have you had?

What are they doing, the Doctors in ascertaining your concerns.

CW

[Bekzee]

I've lost count of the amount of doctors I've seen about it. At home I know I've seen about 3 different doctors, their solution always seems to be to change my pills, which consequently screws them up more since my body doesn't get used to it quick enough.

At university, I've seen 3 different doctors and a nurse practitioner. A few have swapped my pill over again, and the nurse practitioner has surprisingly been the best help.
- She tested me for polycystic ovaries; that came back as negative.
- She helped me lose weight to see if that helped (lost about 20 pounds, still continuing to lose more).
- She asked me to come off of the pill for a while, and they were just twice as heavy. I've swapped between mini pills and POP pills.
- She's tested me for thyroid conditions, and that came back as normal.
- Also had a cervical smear test which showed that I had an exceedingly healthy cervix, apparently.
- I also had a sexual health screening.
- She's currently trying to get me to lose more weight so that she can try me on other mini pills; I need to lose a bit more weight to reduce the risks of DVT since my BMI is about 33 right now (embarrassing, I know).
- She's also said that if I want to I can try having a coil fitted, but since I've never had a child, she said it could be very painful and uncomfortable, so I'm using that as a last resort.

Also, never mentioned in my first post, I've tried using a contraceptive patch which I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive, and I'm not too keen on the injection since my friend has a child and she was always using that :P

Also, since the first post, I've had another period lasting from August 27 -31.

[Little]

Do you have any menstruating female roommates? On one hand, if you have a roommate who is irregular, it can bring you off-balance. But if you have a roommate who is super-regular, it can help you out.

It sounds like the losing weight and sticking with the NP will be your best bet.

[Bekzee]

I have a friend, but she's using the implant so her periods have completely stopped. I don't understand how that would affect me though.

[Little]

The periods of women in close quarters tend to normalize to one another. I'm not sure how this works with artificially suppressed periods, though.

[Bekzee]

I do apologise, but I'm not particularly superstitious. I don't think that I could believe that the anatomy and menstrual cycle of someone else could have an affect on my own cycle. I spend most of the time at my non-uni home with my mum who no longer menstruates since she went through her menopause, and my sister who has very regular periods because of her implant (despite it working for her, I'm put off by the weight gain and acne).

I do still greatly appreciate the suggestion and thank you for taking the time to read everything

[Little]

1971. Martha McClintock. University of Chicago. Google menstrual synchronicity, this is not superstition; it's science.