[Guest]

Hi! Can anyone help me out? I'm 21 years old, a virgin, and have very irregular periods. They are usually 2 weeks late, and this month I didn't get one! Is this normal?***SALLYF

 

[Guest]

yes especially if u have stress happens to me all the time lol------------------i.will.survive

 

[LALA]

Hello sally. I am 23 year old female, and I have very irregular periods. I can't believe I talk so openly on this board. All of you 'strangers' (not so much anymore) know more about my physical probs than anyone I know in person. Anyway, i don't really think the irregular periods are due to the IBS. You didn't mention if you have IBS, but I am assuming you do cuz you posted on this board. Anyway, it could just be harmless cysts, or not getting enough viamins in the food you eat. Or, it could be something more serious. When I recently told my gyne, she didn't seem concerned, and didn't even run any special tests on it. She did do a pap, so i would assume that would show any major probs. The only thing she did say was that 'the pill' might help. If I were you, I would go see the doc, even if you are a virgin. If it really bothers you, you can go on the pill so you will become more regular. LALA

 

[Ty]

Fellow irregular here!

My periods have always been irregular, but the opposite of you - they usually came early. I would just talk to your gyn about it and make sure they rule out anything, but I've always been told some women are just irregular and that's it. I'm on birth control myself, but for dysmenorrhea. Although it is really nice to know when you're period is coming. The only question I would have is - are you an athlete? I know some athletes who eventually just stop having their periods. Just a thought.Ty

 

[Guest]

All the above is great advice!I'd add in addition that what we often think of as "irregular" is really not so. I read a great book about this - go to your local library & check out some of the books on women's health.

 

[maggiew]

For years I hav irregular periods due to Stein-Leventhal syndrome, AKA Para-cystic ovarian syndrome. Excessive facial hair, periods rare (Mine came every October whether I needed it or not) deep voice, overweight, and not able to really lose no matter HOW hard I tried, etc. 12 years ago, BAMB, every 28 days (BTW, the the doc said that is VERY unusual). 2 years ago, I began having a persiod every 17 days. Boy was THAT miserable. We played musical hormones, and finally settled on prometrium, a natural progesterone replacement, and now I am up to 22 days. Still not ideal, but MUCH closer to the norm. See your gyn, and do what you can to get a diagnosis. Most dysmenorhea is treatable with hormone replacement therapy. ------------------Praying with Bettie for a cure for this NASTY IBS!

 

[Guest]

I am 25, have had IBS-D for years now, but my periods are NEVER irregular. You could virtually tell time by my cycle.

However, I DO have the problem of very heavy, painful, awful periods (turns out to be endometriosis). During my period my IBS is always 1,000 times worse!!

I agree with everyone else, though. Talk to your gyn as soon as you can. Some of the things that can cause irregularity and/or amenorrhea are: stress, hormone imbalance, being underweight, regular strenuous exercise, and chronic illness. It is important that you find out why you are having this problem, and if it turns out to be nothing -- great!

Good luck, keep us informed!------------------~If I'm gonna go down, I'm gonna do it with style ... and you won't see me surrender~

 

[Guest]

I'm 23 and my periods have always been irregular. I think that irregular periods are only a problem if they are usually regular, and then become irregular. I was told once that if you have at least one period every six months, then there's probably nothing wrong. I usually only have one every 2-3 months.

 

[Guest]

I wouldn't worry about it to much if I were you. I think that at your age hormones have alot to do with things. I am 46, I got my period very young at 11. When I was a teenager I had very bad cramps and went on bcp's which helped the cramps and regulated my periods. I had a baby when I was 34 and for about the next ten years my periods were every month like clockwork. In the last 2 years I have gotten perimenopausal-the period before menopause, and now go from a period every 17-21 days with some every 28 days when I'm lucky. I have always had IBS and beleive that there is a hormonal connection. I usually notice that my IBS kicks up-C followed by D usually about a week before I get my period. Now that I am very irregular and seem to have shorter cycles it seems that it happens to me morew frequently. If you have a gyn ask him/her for a low dose bcp, there are lots of pretty safe ones out there today.

------------------Nancy

 

[Guest]

Hello all you irregular gals! I, too, have never been on any normal cycle. I just wanted to say that I am 32 and have been on bc pills to regulate my monthly "friend". I have been on several different kinds of pills since I started taking them at the age of 18. I wanted to say that for the last seven months or so I have had break through bleeding for several days before my actual period begins. My doctor has changed pills in an answer to this mystery....I have read up on the connection between the meds I am taking for IBS ) (donnatol) and the effect it has on birth control pills...it weakens the effect of them. If the pill isn't working up to par, now wonder I am having break through bleeding.....anyone else heard of this correlation?

 

[Guest]

Breakthrough bleeding usually occurs when there in a progesterone/estrogen imbalance. Sometimes you have to try different brands/types to find one that is the best for you. I have heard that antibiotics make bcp's less effective (meaning use additional birth control when youre on abg's) but not that antispasmodics (like donnatal)would bring on breakthrough or irregular bleeding, though its been a long time since I've been on bcp's. Your best bet would be to discuss it with your gyn and or a pharmacist.

------------------Nancy

 

[Persistance]

Yeah -- it's abeen awhile since I had periods, but it seems to me that -- as everyone said -- you should at least see a gynocologist if you haven't before. It's scary the first time-- what with the stirrups and clamps and all, but you get used to it. Sometimes, if a woman is particularly athletic (and you'd have to tell us whether this is so), it can stop periods. Being too thin (as someone else said) is a factor. They do say emotions are involved, as well. But better to be on the safe side.

 

[JeanG]

I agree with the rest that probably the best thing to do is to see your gyn.You could be just irregular, or it could be stress, medications, hormones, thyroid problems, very low weight, etc. There are so many things that can affect you, and it may be nothing serious at all.I'm 48, still have mine, and have never, ever been regular, except when I was on bc pills. I had uterine polyps removed 2 years ago and the doc was shocked that I was still ovulating. I'll probably be one of those women who never stop. What a horrible thought!I hope everything is ok, and try not to worry. Jean------------------"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." Babe Ruth. And I'm also Praying with Bettie for a cure for this NASTY IBS! Jean

 

[Guest]

Hi. I'm not an irregular menses person but I have read up on this accidently while looking for something for IBS. Two natural ways I know of that some women find success with is (1) acupuncture or acupressure, and (2) getting more sunlight, UV rays specificallly: This has something to do with the coincidences of a woman's period reacting in kind with the phases of the moon. It usually happens to women who spend a lot of time outdoors. They tend to get their period at or near the full moon. I don't know how or why it happens but studies have shown it: look for the book Women's Health Women's Bodies by Christiane Northrup. You may have seen her on PBS too.------------------"It's no use worrying about the things you can solve; no use worrying about the things you can't."