Question:
For The Ladies: What is it about this surgery that causes irregular periods?
I know it is not uncommon for women to start their period immediately after surgery, miss a few or even have them a lot heavier than before surgery. I missed mine last month. (I am five months post-op) Now I have one, but I am on my 11th day. I have NEVER had a period last longer than four days. I called my surgeon's office and the nurse had no clue. Acted as if she had never heard of such. Does anyone know WHY this happens and if it is a possibility that they will be irregular from now on? Thanks!! Debbie — Debbie M. (posted on August 19, 2003)
August 19, 2003
I have had irregular periods since I had surgery too. I got really lucky
and have leaky boobs too. LOL!! PCP has done a ton of tests and she doesnt
have a clue why my periods and my boobs are screwed up. Rapid weight loss??
Stress from surgery?? Oh well.....things can always be perfect can they??
LOL!!
— S A.
August 19, 2003
My surgery was 5/6/03 and I started my period while in the hospital. Then
in June I had 2 periods, but they have been regular ever since. My surgeon
said it is a normal occurrence for them to be irregular after surgery and
he said to talk to my gynecologist if it continued. So you may want to go
that route. Good luck.
— Dawn P.
August 19, 2003
I also started my period in the Hospital after surgery, poor nurse LOL. I
am actually one who has had female problems since I was 9 and I had
abnormal/painful periods, repeated cycts on my overies and repeated
endometriosis and since my surgery they are pretty much normal and I have
minimal cramps(no traces of cysts ect.). They last 3 days. I was told that
the Surgery has no effect on our periods, but now I question that one. Good
luck!
— Sandy M.
August 19, 2003
Hmmm... since my WLS, for the first time in my life, you gets set a clock
by me, I am so regular. Only used to be twice/year or so... those days are
LONG gone. Totally normal now. I would see a gynocologist if I were you.
— kultgirl
August 19, 2003
Estrogen is stored in fat, and as we lose the weight, estrogen is released
from the fat into our system and reeks havoc on our monthly cycles. My
doctor told me ithat because of this, I had to be on some type of birth
control if I was sexually active. The surge of estrogen causes you to
ovulate more often, thus making you "fertile myrtle" for about
the first year after surgery, or until the weightloss stablizes. He asked
me to wait at least 18 months after surgery before becoming pregnant...Good
luck! Denise 316/158
— lily1968
August 19, 2003
I'm not sure on all the medical reasons, my mom is the nurse in the family.
I can however, share with you my experience. My period which was always
regular, decided to just stop one day last year. That lasted for about 6-7
months (no period at all). I attribute it to STRESSS. I was under my
doctor's care and neither he nor I wanted to induce it with BC pills, or
any pills for that matter. I wanted my body to adjust naturally. And it
did... My period arrived one day.. Crazy heavy and LONG! Then was normal
for a few months (4 days long)..then stopped again. Now at 2 months
post-op it's getting back to normal. My cramps are bad, espeically since I
don't use Mortin/Ibuprofen any more.. but I'm surviving just fine! I hope
this helps... Best wishes, Aims
— chickiewickie
August 19, 2003
Hi Debbie,
I am about 9 mos post and have had terrible periods ever since my surgery
in Nov. I went to the gynecologist. She did inform me that until my wt
stabalized, my periods would be irregular due to the estrogen and fat cells
everyone has talked about. For the first 6-7 mos. post op- I had a period
every two weeks and they each lasted about 6 days. They are starting to
get better now. My first period of the month only last about 2 days and
the second is still 6. I am on the patch and that has helped some. Hope
yours gets worked out.
— kandi S.
August 19, 2003
For me, I had irregular periods the first couple of months after surgery,
then after that they became regular and have stayed regular ever since.
Its the first time in my life that they have been regular (Iam 7 months
postop). They are just as heavy though, that part hasnt changed. It's like
one poster said, as we lose the fat the estrogen is released into our
systems. Stress will wreak havoc with our periods too. Just to be sure
that there isnt some other cause why your periods are irregular, Id go see
the ob/gyn, just in case. Good Luck!
— Kris T.
August 19, 2003
I guess I am the opposite, I never once had a regular cycle before having
surgery, and I have been like clockwork ever since.
— sheri H.
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