Question:
My whole life, my menstrual cycle has been anything but normal..
I have never ever experienced a "normal" cycle. It's a miracle that I had a child. From the time she was born in 1998 until I had surgery 10/13/03, I had only one period, and that was brought on with provera. I blame it on my weight, and the fact I had the depo shot for about 2 years following my daughters birth. In December, I think I had a very very short period, and nothing since. Is there anyone out there who has never been "regular" almost to an extreme that finally became "regular" after surgery? Most of my close friends envy me because I don't get them, but it's just not normal to never have them. — Michelle J. (posted on February 12, 2004)
February 12, 2004
I have always been irregular in my cycles. I too, believed it was due to my
weight and several doctors thought that, too. Once I had surgery I was
getting my period month after month for 7 months and now for the past 3
months, I am back to not having my period. This scares me, because I want
to conceive a child soon. In April I will be seeing a specialist about this
and hope to get some answers. I know exactly how frusterating that this is.
— Jaimie L.
February 12, 2004
I have PCOS and have never had a normal period. I was told by my
endocrinologist to lose weight when I was trying to get pregnant and that
would help me conceive. I have lost 115 pounds and still have not been
able to get pregnant. I never had a regular period before my WLS in
January of 2002. I had maybe 2 per year. I did try birth control but that
was hard on me emotionally and I was trying to get pregnant! Ever since I
stopped the Birth control in october of 2002 I have had a period every
other week lasting a week at a time and it has not regualted itself yet. I
am afraid it never will on its own. I guess I am just one extreme or
another! Good Luck!
— Heidi B.
February 12, 2004
Before my surgery I was never regular on my own, I had to go on BCP to have
a period. I had my surgery a year ago January, I started to become regular
around March and was regular until December, and now Im back to being
irregular again. I dont know what is going on. I doubt its pregnancy due
to the fact that my husband was fixed after our son was born almost seven
years ago, but I guess anything's possible!
— Kris T.
February 12, 2004
Even though WLS has nothing to do with our female organs or cycles, I still
believe it helped my periods in some way. I started my period at 9 and have
been hospitalized, medicated and almost lazored(pregnancies stopped that)
and then the Depo shot really messed me up even more, my cycles lasted for
ever and I had severe clotting, doubled over cramping every month and heavy
bleeding. Since my surgery 9/02 I have been having them on schedule and
only 3 days, also have not had 1 female medical issue(cysts, endometriosis,
ect.,which I have suffered with pain for years). I don't even get cramps
and bleed normal according to my OB/GYN :O)I'm so glad b/c our next option
would be a hysterectomy(sp?) and being in my late 20's my Doctor was trying
everything to avoid that and now he does'nt have to even talk about
options. Good luck!
— Sandy M.
February 12, 2004
I have PCOS and like a couple of other posters, never had a regular period
before surgery without BC. For 6 straight months after surgery I had a
regular period, but for the last couple of months have had to go on the
birth control patch to get my period. I will not be having children so the
infertility possibility does not concern me. What does bother me is the
hormonal rollercoaster I have to be on because of birth control.
— Kristen S.
February 25, 2004
I HAVE BEEN M/O MY ENTIRE LIFE & HAVE NEVER HAD A REG CYCLE. FOR THE
LAST 12 YRS OR SO I DON'T HAVE A PERIOD AT ALL UNLESS IT IS BROUGHT ON BY
SOME KIND OF BIRTH CONTROL. THE DOCTOR DID ALL KINDS OF TEST & COULD
FIND NOTHING WRONG, SO I KNOW IT WAS MY WEIGHT. THEN 2 MONTHS AGO (3 MONTHS
AFTER MY WLS) I HAD MY FIRST PERIOD WITH NOTHING TO JUMP START IT, IT
LASTED FOR 4 DAYS. THEN I HAD ANOTHER ONE 28 DAYS LATER. I DON'T KNOW IF I
WILL CONT TO BE THIS REG OR NOT BUT IT'S NICE TO KNOW THE GIRL PLUMBING IS
WORKING. GOOD LUCK!
— PATRICIA S.
February 25, 2004
Dear WLS friend, I have been unable to have a period since I was 16 years
of age due to (according to my doctors) my weight. I also have PCOD and
lost my right ovary 5 years ago. I have always had to take BC to regulate
my cycles. I have not been on the pill for 2 years and 2 months b4 surgery
I started to have regular cycles. Now I can time them. They are so on track
it is really amazing. I regret to say that I kinda liked it better the
other way around. The cramps and emtions I have to endure are quite
turbulant. But I thank God that I know now that someday I will be able to
have children without the use of fertility drugs (now according to the
doctor). What a blessing having had this surgery is. What a life journey. I
can not wait to have kids now. My biological clock is tic tic ticking away
at me. Good Luck to you! ~HUGS~ Shalonda 9/11/03 292/196/150
— Shalonda M.
February 25, 2004
I was diagnosed with PCOS seven months after gastric bypass, after
unexplained weight gain. It has MANY symptoms: unexplained weight gain,
irregular periods, infertility,family history of Diabetes type II, acne,
unexplained hair loss/growth, skin tags on neck or under arms, insulin
resistance and cardiovascular problems. A person can have all of these
symptoms or just some of them. I only have three.
There is great news! It can be treated with medication, diet and regular
exercise.
The best person to treat you is an Endocrinologist. I was always blamed by
OB/Gyn's (My weight supposedly caused irregular cycles) and just put on
provera or the pill. PCOS is a serious disease if left untreated. There
is an online quiz that you can take to see if you may have PCOS, at:
www.Pcos.org There is also another great site for more info:
www.soulcysters.com
Good Luck!
— Allison M.
February 25, 2004
This is the direct link to the PCOS Quiz Link:
http://www.pcosupport.org/support/quiz.php
— Allison M.
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