How old were you when your periods became irregular?

tinyfrog1 · 06-05-2007, 12:03 AM

Hey thin cysters, at what age did your periods start becoming irregular?

Of six doctors three think I'm PCOS, half don't think I don't exhibit enough symptoms. I'm not TTC right now, but want to in about a yr. I'd love advice on how to prepare my body: should I get on metaformin now, take BCP now through next year, start accupuncture now, or some combination of the aforementioned treatments? Any other suggestions?

One doctor told me that he thought I'd pass out on met cause I'm so little... have any of you girls experienced/been told that?

Me: 31, 5'2", 100lbs, mild acne, ultrasound shows cysts, moderate to bad PMS, spotting and mild cramping that starts mid cycle and continues till my period, 1-2 day periods (getting increasingly lighter) spaced about 31 days apart.

Current treatment regimen: low carb diet, exercise, Omega-3, B vitamins. I just went on neuvaring about 2 days ago. It made me throw up for about 24 hrs and light cramping, but now I'm doing fine.

CaliGirl! · 06-05-2007, 01:55 AM

My periods were irregular since I can remember. Probably about 15 - 16. I was very active (in gymnastics, volleyball, etc..) so I figured it was caused by being so active. I was then on BCP for 9 years and got off them in Dec. 06. I got one reg. period in Jan. and then nothing. I started acupuncture in the beginning of May and got my period within 2 weeks. I credit it all to the acupuncture. I am now suppose to get it again on Monday so I will just wait and see how that goes. I'm going to continue TTC drug free until at least Aug. If nothing happens by then I will visit the idea of Metformin. Sorry I have no advice when it comes to the meds.
Good Luck!

~Amber

TrishainAZ · 06-05-2007, 02:05 AM

I think my periods have always been irregular, but I never really thought about it until I tried conceiving (oddly, I thought I was lucky!) I had been very skinny and athletic in high school so I just thought that was why, then on BCP's in college, and when I stopped I just didn't really pay attention to the fact that they were irregular.

I don't think you would pass out on met. I was on an extremely high dose when I was trying to conceive my son (2750 mg i think) and I got down to 107 lbs at 5'4.5" and it still worked for me (normal weight is more like 115). For me, it took exactly the same amount of time on the met all three times, (about 3-4 months), so if thats the route you want to take (and I recommend it...there are some unpleasant side effects at first, but they go away and its pretty uninvasive and doesn't increase your chances of multiples and you can use it with other treatments as well) you may want to start on it 6 months or so before you want to conceive. The fact that you are ovulating and your cycles are 31 days may mean that you won't need any help though. Good luck!

tinyfrog1 · 06-05-2007, 03:10 AM

Thank you both.... its really helpful to have points of reference.

My periods were regular until 18 months ago (age 30) which is one of the confusing aspects in my diagnosis.

Lupe · 06-05-2007, 03:29 AM

that is different, I don't think I've heard them becoming irregular that late before. Mine have never been regular since I started at age 14. as a matter of fact I haven't had one since january

quote=tinyfrog1;1888459797]Thank you both.... its really helpful to have points of reference.

My periods were regular until 18 months ago (age 30) which is one of the confusing aspects in my diagnosis.[/quote]

Lupe · 06-05-2007, 03:36 AM

Caligirl,

How often have you been going to the accupunturist? I have been going since Feb. and have not gotten my period still. I go either every week or every other week depending on my schedule and her availability. I do think however that it is helping me prevent cysts because I have not had any pain so far.

TrishainAZ · 06-05-2007, 11:56 AM

I think there are actually quite a few women that still have regular cycles with PCOS. Thats the thing with PCOS, you get some parts of it and not others. Makes it confusing and hard to believe you have it sometimes.

chocolatedaisy · 06-05-2007, 12:09 PM

I am 17, but strangely had regular periods for my first 2 years or so... I started when I was 13 and then had regular periods until I was 15. Seemingly suddenly I started to show PCOS symptoms. It is strange how PCOS can show itself in so many different ways and times.

sheepiegirl · 06-05-2007, 12:16 PM

I got my first period when I was 12 and was regular for about 2 years. Then I got a little anorexic as well as being very athletic (champion cross country team all 4 years!) and I figured it was from being so active that I didn't get it--very few of our team got their periods during the season, so it seemed normal. Then in college I went on BCP and took those for about 7 years. Then I went off and had a period about a month and a half after I went off BCP, but then not again after it.
I went on Met in December and it hasn't helped with the periods for me.

chris3811 · 06-05-2007, 01:01 PM

I have always had long cycles, but irregular anywhere from 30-34 days, I had a pregnancy 10 years ago. But had never skipped periods until this past March when I had a 54 day cycle right before my 30th birthday. I was then dx with PCOS.

I started seeing my acupuncturist right away and the cycles that followed were 34 days, 31 days and I am in the middle of what will be a 30 day cycle. We have been TTC for a year, part of me wishes I had the long cycle a year ago so I could have started earlier treatment with my acupuncturist. I have read different accounts on this website, for some acupuncture doesn't work, but for me it has worked wonders. But they do say 3-6 months of treatment is when you see results. The RE I saw for the first time last week said, who knos my acupuncturist said to me "Whatever Nina (my acpuncturist) is doing is working!" I had a 24mm follicle with no drugs.

I wish I could have been DX before we started trying. To give me the time to get it under control. Good luck to you!

CaliGirl! · 06-05-2007, 02:42 PM

Lupe...I started out seeing my acupuncturist twice a week. After my 4th appt. I got AF. She also has me on some Chinese herbs. I have been to about 8 appts. and now I am starting to go once a week. I am suppose to get AF on Monday so I hope it comes on time or close to on time. Where does your acupuncturist put the pins? Mine puts them in my ears, head, hands, knee area, legs, and ankle area.

chris3811 · 06-05-2007, 04:07 PM

CaliGirl- I never thought to compare needle placement... do you get any in your abdomen? I get them in the ankle, knee, ears, lower belly and upper abdomen. The lower belly ones are the ones that make me actually feel my ovaries and uterus as weird as that sounds.

Lupe, I am interested to hear what yours does.

I am going 2 times a week but it is getting very expensive. I want to go down to once a week but I am scared it will mess up my progess.

Earin · 06-05-2007, 04:23 PM

Before 17 I had my period every month (lenght 21-35) and then I started to use the pill. This year (23) I went off and then my periods became really irregular. I was then diagnosed with PCOS.
Good luck girls

CaliGirl! · 06-05-2007, 06:49 PM

Christina..She does put them in my lower belly but none in the upper. I am lucky enough that insurance covers it. I am going once a week now because it was hard for me to keep taking off work. Now that I have other Dr. appts too, I was taking off a lot of time. So I hope it works just as well. I will let you know what happens so maybe you can go less and save some money. Good Luck with your 2ww.

Lupe · 06-06-2007, 03:51 AM

Thanks for the info Caligirl and Christina! Mine puts the needles in my ankle area, lower belly, she makes a line with the needles from about the pubic bone area to my sternum, between my breasts, she also puts them on my elbows and inner arms, and at times my hands. she also uses a little machine that she connects to the needles to provide electrical stimulation, especilly in the ovarian area. I have also taken the chinese herbs. Unfortunaltely she only works two days a week, and I work out of town, and she's located in the same town I live in so it really is not possible for me to leave in the middle of the day to go see her and go back to work. Also my insurance will only cover a certain number of visits and I had a deductible I had to meet before I could start having the insurance help. I have probably had about 10 visits, give or take, and I was getting discouraged, but I am going to keep going longer, at least a long as my insurance is helping with it.

Caligirl, congrats on the anniversary, I just had my 2 year also!