Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone had abnormal periods. Like none for 5 months then return. Does anyone know what this is caused from. I am 23 and I also feel dizzy, tired, and I get offbalance when i exert myself. What could be going on? I would really appriciate any and all advice or personal experiences. Thanks so much!

By Emily7 on Tuesday, June 1, 2004 - 01:43 pm:

I was told for years it was because I was overwieght. Then I was told it was stress. Then I was told because of depression. I had to go on b/c to regulate them. It turned out to be my thyriod.

By Lauram on Tuesday, June 1, 2004 - 01:54 pm:

I have abnormal periods (ie sometimes I have to give the YEAR of my last period at the OB/GYN). I have infertility as well. I was finally dx with PCOS when I was trying to get pg with my second ds. (Clomid didn't work- I had bloodwork done and it turned out to be insulin resistance- causing dizziness and fatigue). It's worth looking into. Find an OB/GYN or endocrinologist who KNOWS about PCOS (not all drs do!) I saw you posted under my Lupus post too. I don't have these symptoms anymore (since my PCOS is under control on GLucophage), so those are not my posssible Lupus symptoms. There are lots of those (too many to quickly list). If you want me to go further and do that though, I will. Just let me know.

By Babysitbarb on Tuesday, June 1, 2004 - 02:35 pm:

This is what Im going through myself right now but, Im older(39). I haven't had one for 5 1/2 months now and it drives me nuts. When I told my doctor on how irregular they have been he said and your complaining. I went off birth control like 15 months ago and I have had maybe 4-5 periods in that amount of time.

By Natesmom on Tuesday, June 1, 2004 - 09:50 pm:

Thank you all so much for your input. I have told Doctors and they never look into it. One doctor did mention PCOS but said we never look into that we just put you on BC. I hope I find out soon what is going on. Thanks again!

By Mrse on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 - 07:54 pm:

My dd, was 16 when the doctor put her on bc ( only because her periods were all over the place, and because of the terrible periods she was having. Ok, now for the dizzy part, may not have anything to do with your periods, I went to my doctor about the same things and she asked me if I was eating properly. she said some people need to graze. breakfast in the a.m lunch and dinner and snacks in between. Also get your iron checked, the doctor should do a whole work up on your blood. Hope you feel better soon

By Emily7 on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 - 07:56 pm:

How are you feeling? I think I would find a new doctor.

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 - 10:44 pm:

At this point, Erin, given that, whatever it is, it's definitely interfering with your ability to live a normal life, I would be jumping up and down and insisting that the docs order tests and referrals to serious specialists to find out just what is going on. Dizzy, tired and off balance when you exert yourself does make me think of blood pressure (low), but I haven't a clue about the abnormal periods except that they are abnormal and while bc may get things in sync, seems to me there is a lot more going on that really needs checking out. I suggest it is time for you to get really aggressive about your health.

Start keeping a diary, and note in it several things. List every abnormal experience (dizziness, etc., time it occurs, what you were doing when it happened, how long it lasted. List what you eat (generally, not ounce for ounce or item for item) and what times of day. What I am suggesting is an hour by hour diary of your day, and after a month go back and use a highlighter and mark all the times that unusual, abnormal, or "unhealthy" events or symptoms occurred. Note the periods of fatigue on a scale of 1 - 10 (1, I really would rather have slept in; 10, I could hardly lift my head and I was exhausted by the time I finished fixing breakfast for the kids). See if the various events tie into specific times of day, times following or preceding meals, foods you ate, activities, and when you go to your doc show him/her the diary.

It is one thing to say, I feel dizzy frequently, or I feel tired all the time. It is another thing to show the doctor, for example, 18 episodes of dizziness lasting from 5 to 20 minutes in the period of 10 days; extreme fatigue twice in one week and moderate fatigue six times (plus showing that maybe nothing happened to cause you to feel fatigued), and so on.

By Palmbchprincess on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 - 12:16 am:

You've gotten some great asvice already. As far as the "grazing" comment, my mom was dxed with hypoglycemia when she started getting dizzy spells and passing out. The Dr told her to eat small meals/snacks through out the day to regulate her blood sugar. I have abnormal periods, and chronic fatigue, but haven't been able to get a dx on anything. I really just don't take good care of myself, so that may be a big part of my problem, but the "grazing" may help you and your DD keep your blood sugar levels in check if they are the culprit. Good luck, and let us know what you find out!!