Irregular periods

Delaying the period

How can I cope with my heavy periods?

I suffer from really painful periods

Painful cramps in between periods

Question

I started my period at the age of 13 and had regular monthly periods for three years. At the age of 16 they became extremely irregular irregular and have gradually become a lot worse. I usually have two to four periods per year now. They are not painful and only last about six days.

I have recently had blood tests for basically everything, and all the tests came back clear.

I have only ever had intercourse with a man on four occasions since the age of 18. I have, however, been in active gay relationships since the age of 13.

I have never approached my doctor about this problem because I don't feel unwell and it isn't causing me a problem. I just want to find out if this is an unhealthy problem, so I can get it sorted out, if necessary.

I have no desire to have children and I am in a stable gay relationship, so the absence of my period is not causing me a problem at all. In fact, it is enhancing my life somewhat!

Please could you let me know whether this is going to cause me a problem in future, or if it's OK to carry on as I am at the moment and enjoy the freedom?

Answer

Not having periods is not in itself an unhealthy state to be in. After all, it is what any woman who is pregnant experiences.

Nevertheless, there are some factors in the information that you have sent that I note with a little concern, and which would lead me to advise you to speak to your GP.

I notice that you are considerably overweight for your height and this, combined with your irregular periods, could indicate that you may be suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome.

PCOS is a common gynaecological condition, in which the ovaries produce a number of cysts that can lead to problems with ovulation, and hence irregular periods, and also to hormonal imbalances, leading to excess body hair and obesity.

There didn't used to be any specific treatment for this problem, other than to put women on the contraceptive pill if they wished to have regular periods, and to use a mild fertility drug if they wished to have children. However, there is new research to suggest that there are several illnesses that women suffering from PCOS are at risk of developing.

One of these is diabetes because of the excess weight and problems with glucose breakdown in the body, and the other is breast or womb cancer, because of a higher-than-usual level of oestrogen in the blood.

Some specialists now suggest that women with PCOS undergo regular monitoring of their blood glucose levels and also have hormonal treatment to ensure regular periods so the lining of the womb doesn't become too thick (which can be a risk factor for cancer).

It may well be that hormone blood tests and an ultrasound scan of your ovaries were not done by your doctor, so it would be worth discussing this problem with him or her.

Yours sincerely

The Medical Team

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