Period every 2nd week - cystic ovaries?

mel79 · 10-08-2006, 09:20 AM

Hi

- i've just discovered this wonderful and informative site and was wondering whether anyone could offer some advice or insight into my situation.
I have consistently longish cycles (35-42 days) and often have bleeding half way through this. I started ttc 7 months ago, and charting a couple of months ago and have discovered that the bleeding is occurring AFTER ovulation has occurred, and the second half of my cycle is abnormally long (18 days plus).
From what i have read on the net this seems to indicate that i may have cysts on my ovaries - has anyone else experienced this as a symptom of cystic ovaries or PCOS?
I'm seeing my doctor on tuesday and am going to request an ultrasound - are there other tests i should be requesting? I had basic hormone levels checked last month (because of 10 days of spotting after ov) and my hormone levels were within normal range, except for cortisol.
TIA for your help

Otilia98 · 10-08-2006, 02:24 PM

I have not heard of bleeding after ovulation. (With the exception of AF). Does it happen right after ovulation? Could it possibly be ovulatory spotting?

mel79 · 10-08-2006, 03:16 PM

My doc didnt think it was just ovulatory spotting cos it lasts for so long. (Normal) Ovulatory spotting lasts for a maximum of 3 days, and mine lasts for 6-10 days.

shellygirl · 10-09-2006, 11:44 PM

Mel,

It sounds very similar to what I used to experience. I suggest going to see a reproductive endocrinologist and getting some tests done to establish whether you have insulin resistance or not (the glucose tolerance test checking glucose and insulin response should do this).

A repro endo may like to start you on Metformin, and will probably tell you to follow a diet that helps to control your insulin levels (such as the low GI diet or insulin resistance diet - if you are insulin resistant) and also to exercise on a daily basis, since exercise helps your body to be more sensitive to insulin.

But if you have PCOS, it may not have insulin resistance as its root. You mentioned cortisol not being in the normal range... this might mean something else is wrong (not PCOS at all), or that PCOS is due to a different factor in you.

Isn't cortisol related to stress? How are your stress levels? Sometimes this can be helped by seeing a qualified counsellor who can go through CBT (cognitive behavoural therapy) with you, to help with stress levels.

All the best,
Michelle

bluebug · 10-10-2006, 01:05 AM

I had 2 periods each month from the age 13 til my gyno put me on birth control pills at the age of 17. That just put the problem on hold, and would not be a solution for you. I agree with Michelle, you should get your gyno to refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist. He/she can help to get your hormones under control so you can get on with TTC. Best of luck!

mel79 · 10-10-2006, 02:04 PM

Thanks for your responses.

Great to hear i'm not the only one.
Do I need to get a referral to see a reproductive endocrinologist? Or can I just make an appointment?
I also got more blood test results back today, and they showed that my progesterone was low (7 at end of luteal phase) and that i had higher than normal free testosterone.
These tests were ordered by just my GP though, not by a gyno, so they were not done at a specific time in my cycle - they just happened to be done 2 days before my period was due. Should i see a gyno first? I havent seen a gyno yet, just a GP who specialises in womens health. Or should i just organise to see RE?

OpalNera · 10-11-2006, 12:30 PM

Try a GP who specialises in womens health first then get a referral from there.

It could be anything. It could also be endometriosis. Its hard to speculate. Do you have any other symptoms that lead you to think you have PCOS?

mel79 · 10-12-2006, 10:30 AM

Hi - thanks for your response!
The other things which have made me consider PCO are: my sister has it, and i don't ovulate in every cycle. I don't have the typical PCOS symptoms. I also seem to have an estrogen-dominated luteal phase during about half my cycles - during these cycles i don't get my normal PMS symptoms and i get fertile CM.
I don't really know what this means - but i assume it means i have some kind of hormonal imbalance?

mel79 · 10-12-2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellygirl

But if you have PCOS, it may not have insulin resistance as its root. You mentioned cortisol not being in the normal range... this might mean something else is wrong (not PCOS at all), or that PCOS is due to a different factor in you.

Isn't cortisol related to stress? How are your stress levels? Sometimes this can be helped by seeing a qualified counsellor who can go through CBT (cognitive behavoural therapy) with you, to help with stress levels.

All the best,
Michelle

Thanks for your reply Michelle - I do have some anxiety issues and i'm going to see a chinese herbalist and get some acupuncture to help with it - a counsellor is a good idea too, think i will look into it.
Best of luck with ttc!
Cheers,
Melanie

bmq · 10-14-2006, 12:34 AM

Hi Mel:

What are the temps like in the second half of your cycle, after ovulation? If they are high - you might be repeatedly miscarrying.

guineapig · 10-15-2006, 12:36 AM

I had 2 periods a month for almost 2 years. It turned out (duh) I wasn't ovulating--no fibroids, cancers, or cysts. Once I began ovulating (DCI) I quit bleeding constantly. I really doubt it was constant miscarriages b/c half of that time I had an 8-year-old IUD.

mel79 · 10-16-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmq

Hi Mel:

What are the temps like in the second half of your cycle, after ovulation? If they are high - you might be repeatedly miscarrying.

Temps are high but i've had a blood hcG test done during this time(on one cycle) and it was only at 1.

mel79 · 10-16-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guineapig

I had 2 periods a month for almost 2 years. It turned out (duh) I wasn't ovulating--no fibroids, cancers, or cysts. Once I began ovulating (DCI) I quit bleeding constantly. I really doubt it was constant miscarriages b/c half of that time I had an 8-year-old IUD.

What is DCI? Is it that drug for women who are insulin-resistant?
Did you get diagnosed with PCOS without the cysts?

Kayley'smom · 10-16-2006, 06:56 PM

That is a symptom of PCOS. My initial symptoms were hardly ever having a period but now mine are the same as yours. I went back to see the doctor because I started having a lot of pelvic pain with it. The doctor ordered an ultrasound and I had two more cysts on my right ovary. You might ask your doctor to test your testosterone level because an elevated test is one of the most common abnormal tests associated with PCOS. He should also check your Luteinizing Hormone (LH) to see if it's elevated, also.

A great book to read is PCOS A Woman's Guide to Dealing with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome by Colette Harris. I found my copy at a Hasting's book store.

Good Luck and let me know if you have anymore questions.

mel79 · 10-17-2006, 10:40 AM

Thanks so much for your response. My doctor did blood work to check my hormone levels 2 cycles ago but didnt pick up any problems, but i got a copy of the results printed out and when i looked at them at home they showed that i had low progesterone levels and high testosterone levels (5 nmol/L above normal range), my LH was normal though.
I don't know why the dr. didnt mention this to me but i will be asking her about it at my next appointment.
Did you have problems getting pregnant?