“Why is my menstrual cycle wrong?”
Since the age of thirteen, my periods have never regulated themselves. Eventually, after many years of hoping it would sort itself out, I went to my gp and was then told I had an iron problem due to heavy periods and I was put on iron tablets for 6 weeks and then the combined pill. My periods are better than they were, not always accurate but they do happen only once a month now instead of two a month or none a month, It was never explained to me what was wrong or why it was wrong. I looked up causes online and the list of 4 main reasons was diabetes, anorexia, obesity and I don't have those three and the final one was infertility, so I then had the question as to whether I am intact infertile. I'm only 21 and I'm not ready to try for a baby but I would like to know if that could still be an option for me. Another thing that bothers me is how prone I am to external thrush, I am fair-skinned and can get that I will suffer more due to that but I was wondering if it could be part of whatever hormonal problem that makes my periods irregular.
Female | 21 years old
Complaint duration: 8 years
Medications: Cilique
Conditions: Iron deficiency
2 Answers
You may have something called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is a complicated situation best discussed with a gynecologist. Often it can cause irregular menses and problems with ovulation. The combined pill is a good way to treat it until you are ready to become pregnant. Because of the problem with ovulation it can be harder to conceive. If you are overweight it can bring your hormones into regulation by losing 10% of your total weight. If you do decide to try to get pregnant and your menses are not regular you should see someone (probably gynecology) familiar with treatment to help.
Dr. Jessica Scotchie
OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist) | Reproductive Endocrinology
Chattanooga, TN
Irregular cycles during adolescence are incredibly common. The communication between the brain and ovaries takes time to mature and become regular. Now that your cycle is happening regularly, unless you are concerned about the volume of blood you lose with your period, there is not a specific problem that a gynecologist would evaluate.
As to whether you are infertile, you are not infertile since you have not tried to conceive. Infertility is defined as no conception within 12 months of attempted conception for women under age 35. If your cycles become irregular again in the future, particularly when you want to conceive, you should seek care with a gynecologist. The thrush question is a separate condition and one that you would discuss with a general practice provider.
As to whether you are infertile, you are not infertile since you have not tried to conceive. Infertility is defined as no conception within 12 months of attempted conception for women under age 35. If your cycles become irregular again in the future, particularly when you want to conceive, you should seek care with a gynecologist. The thrush question is a separate condition and one that you would discuss with a general practice provider.
