No period for 8 months :(

seeshell

Hello,

I am in a situation where I am a bit worried because I have not had my period for 8 months now.

I am not pregnant nor do I have the symptoms. I lead a healthy lifestyle, a bit stressed but not overly stressed. I also have seen a doctor.

I was wondering if anyone has experienced this? I figured here would be the best place to ask

It just doesn't feel normal to go without it for so long. Maybe its uncommon, maybe its not.

I would just like your opinion on this

Thanks for reading

The Lovely Muffin

What contraception are you using (if any)?

How many doctor's have you seen about this? If you've only seen once Dr., I'd recommend going to see another (different) doctor, to get a second opinion.

It's against the rules of Boards.ie to give out medical advice.

PS: I know this isn't exactly similar to you - but last year, for months I was having problems with my teeth and I was convinced two teeth were at me, turned out, that it was my wisdom teeth which were causing the problems. I had to see three different dentists (all in the same clinic) before my own dentist decided to send me to get my wisdom teeth removed.

seeshell

I'm not on any contraception at the moment. I stopped 2 years ago.

I went to the doctor and he said that there is nothing to worry about. Basically saying that I was overreacting. :rolleyes:

I wasn't looking for medical advice. Its just that since the doctor said that I was getting worried for no reason then it must be quite a common thing?:)

Beruthiel

Did he explain why you shouldn't worry?
Have you gone to another doctor for a second opinion?

RacoonQueen

Have you lost or gained weight in the last year or so? Been under a lot of stress or anything?

Here's a link to Mayo Clinic about amenhorrea http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/amenorrhea/DS00581 maybe have a look through a few decent google links, uptodate is a good site for things like that aswell just to give yourself some reading to do before possibly visiting the doctor again. It's very strange that your doc just told you everythings ok unless you're very young.

LegacyUser

Hi OP

I have had a very similar issue - no period for maybe 9 months, then I got one, then nothing again for the last six months. I'm late twenties and been to my Dr a couple of times over this, had full bloods / hormones tested etc. and no problems. My Dr said sometimes it just happens, but it is weird and pretty worrying, even though the tests show there is nothing medically wrong Do you have any other symptoms??

LegacyUser

I went to the doctor and he said that there is nothing to worry about. Basically saying that I was overreacting

ermm...i'm presuming the doctor ran tests? took blood and the like?

Not trying to scare you or anything but 8 months seems like a long time, especially if you stopped contraception 2 years ago..
presumably you were having periods after you came off the contraception and then they stopped?
I don't think you're over reacting at all, periods generally don't just stop for no reason...I'd definitely get a 2nd opinion...

Spinach

I'm a bit puzzled by your doctor's response. You don't say whether you are trying to conceive or expect to be in the near future, but this is one obvious scenario where you would have something to be concerned about.

My experience: I always had very irregular periods and would occasionally have gone near enough to the same time as you without one. It didn't hugely bother me when I was younger but I did vaguely worry if it would mean anything for my fertility.

Arising from other symptoms - acne and facial hair growth - in my mid-twenties got sent for an ultrasound to check for polycystic ovaries. I was told PCOS was a diagnosis of exclusion, that is, if they don't attribute certain symptoms to anything else, then that's probably what it was. I went on Dianette which at least gave me regular periods but the diagnosis was always kind of inconclusive.

I'm now 31 and was able to get pregnant within a year of starting trying, so there were no longer-term fertility problems in the end. Anyway, I'm in no way suggesting that your lack of periods will have the same cause as mine, but I would not let the doctor fob you off with no investigation whatsoever. It's important for your future to get it checked out. Just wanted to reassure you that yes, people have been in the same boat.

seeshell

@ Beruthiel

Well he said that I have no symptoms of either being pregnant or that there be something wrong with me. Also I am 27 and healthy.
Although, I used to have irregular periods before I started the pill ( 1 month and a half to 2 months) and once I did not have it for 6 months but it was a very stressful time in my life.

I am considering going to see another doctor, even if its just for my peace of mind.

@ RacoonQueen
I have gained about a stone during the past 2 years and had been under a lots of stress last year but am fine now.
Thanks for the link! I will definitely read up on it!!

@ metwo

It is pretty worrying. When I had them I used be complaining about it and now that I don't have it anymore, I wish I was having it again!:D
I am glad I am not the only one with this. Maybe there is nothing wrong
Its the not knowing part that can be scary!

@ whatthe-
To be honest the doctor was slightly insulting ( at least I felt insulted ) he said and I quote ' it's like saying I have a head ache so it must be a brain tumor'
He did not run any test. I had to ask him and he said that I could do them if I wanted but that unless I was trying to have a baby it would be of no use.
Yes, I did have my period after getting off the pill. The month just after actually and they were regular.

@ Spinach
It is reassuring to hear. I was wondering if this could affect having children.
Its not just me then, I guess some things just happen but I will do some tests.

Thanks for all your replies

desolate sun

OP I'm sorry your doctor was so flippant. It's not like you went to him with a sore thumb. I've been to a couple of doctors where unless you have a terminal disease, they just don't take you seriously. I mean my Mum has chronic arthritis and she went to a locum to get a repeat prescription and the locum asked her did she really need them? And my Mum replied that she wouldn't be able to walk if she didn't have her meds :eek: Anyway just giving you some moral support on the old useless doctor. Thankfully my regular (and also my Mum's) doctor is wonderful and would give you the same attention even if you had a sore thumb! But definitely get a second opinion and change your doctor.

Years ago my periods stopped because I lost loads of weight and when I was stressed the opposite happened - I got my period every second week and I was so drained. I didn't see a doctor at the time but apparently this is normal enough. And I'm sure there is a perfectly normal reason why your periods stopped but it's nice to be reassured all the same.

dan_d

Op go and get a second opinion. If it was me, I'd go and see a female doctor, but that's my opinion.

Might be kind of normal to you.....I don't want to frighten you and I'm not suggesting that it might be the case, but what if it affects your ability to have kids in the future??

Please go and see another doctor. Get a second opinion. Stress can be a major factor but 8 months seems a long time.

boarduser1980

I agree with the other guys, you should definetly get a 2nd opinion. 8 months without a period is far too long, sounds like you've an imbalance in your hormones.

Jenneke87

Hey Sheeshel,

I had this for a while too. With me, it was a combination of being underweight, stress and a lack of iron and some other vitamins. When I gained some weight and started taking vitamine pills, my period returned....

I strongly suggest you go back to your GP and tell him you need/want a full blood examination. Not having your period for eight months is not normal and if your GP has an ounce of brains he should know that!

Ever2010

Ah - I had this when I was in college - was told it was the stress of college (was never stressed) went to my now doctor who sent me to a gynaecologist after 1 year of no periods. I've got elevated prolactin levels - basically my body was acting like I'd just given birth (when your period stays away for a bit in most women), I've been on tablets for two years so hopefully my levels will reduce themselves.

just go to another doctor and explain that you're worried and would like it checked out further.

Monkey61

Yeah it's probably nothing to worry about but I would advise going back to another doctor.

The main danger in not having periods (and I may have this slightly arse-ways but the idea is right) is that when your oestrogen levels are lowered your bone density starts to lower so you really need to be upping the calcium intake to compensate. I had massively reduced density in my spine and one of my legs which was a surprise.

I didn't have a period for a year when I was in the gym and lost lots of weight. I went to tonnes of specialists and the universal opinion (in light of no other medical condition), was "it's just one of those things." Surprised the calcium thing wasn't mentioned to you though because that does need to be addressed. Also, for the same reason, you could ask the doctor about going back on the pill for the added oestrogen as well.

I don't think the doctor was being necessarily flippant by the way, though he should have talked it over with you more clearly, I think he just knew that there wasn't really anything he could do.

panda_cub

Hey OP

If you feel something isn't right then certainly get a second opinion from another GP, but it is possibly nothing to worry about.

Just to reassure you, I've had the same thing happen twice now and it was never anything to worry about, couldn't pin down the exact reasons but definitely my weight and stress had a strong effect. I wasn't even aware of being stressed and also my weight didn't fluctuate hugely but every little change can have an effect.