Question:
I have not had a period in about a year and a half.

just a few episodes of spotting. I have not told my surgeon because I'm afraid it will hold up the surgery. Is this lack of period normal at 262 pounds? Also, I have more acne in the past year then EVER before. Hormone related? Also very irritable ALL the time. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    — Lesa H. (posted on September 2, 2002)

September 2, 2002
lesa, you could be pre-menapausal, there's a blood test your gyno or primary doc can do to find out, at 240 lbs in 1997, i stopped having periods, three yrs later, what a stooge i was to wait!!!, i went to my gyno, and i was ALL DONE WITH THE PERIODS! the old pituitary was done producing hormones.... but i have heard that lots of weight will prevent a normal period from happening, and when you lose the lbs. the periods may come back. get the blood test, depending on your mom's history with this, i suspect that may be it. or ,that you're pregnant.... how old are you?
   — deb F.

September 2, 2002
No where do you say what age you are. Chances are that you have entered menopause. And although menopause normally starts when a woman is in her late 40's and into her 50's, there are some who go thru an early menopause in their late 20's and 30's. Normally the first sign is irratic periods, and missed periods. Go to your OB/GYN and get tested. It is an easy test, or a series of blood tests and they can tell you if you have entered menopause. Although excessive weight does play a role in your periods, you are not heavy enough for that to be a factor (unless your 4 feet tall!)
   — Cindy R.

September 3, 2002
I am 22 years old, I am 5 foot 5 and weigh 280. I have not had a period in 2 years! I am not going through Menopause. I have a disease called PCOS(polcystic ovarian syndrome) This is very common with females today. Most people have it and don't know it! If you would like more info on it email me or IM me I am on AOL as well my screen name is bounceniki :)
   — nicole79

September 3, 2002
Acne, ammenorreah- you should visit a Endocrinologist and see if you may have PCOS. PCOS is an endocrine disorder. You can read all about it over at www.pcosupport.org and www.soulcysters.net . I missed my period for 1.5 years, and PCOS was the basis for me to have this surgery. Since surgery my periods have been regular.
   — Karen R.

September 3, 2002
There could be MANY reasons why you have not had a period. If you were going through menopause, you would most likely have many other symptoms besides no period. Go and see your doctor/gynecologist and get checked out! I seriously doubt that this would delay your surgery. Many times when you become very overweight or underweight as well....no period is common as well as infertility.
   — Shawnie S.

September 3, 2002
hi there :) it could be PCOS when i was in my teens i was so regular i even knew the hour id get my period. at 22 i started at first being a couple weeks late to eventually no periods at all. i was moody depressed worn out all the time i felt i was going crazy. along with these symptoms my weight began to sky rocket. it took years but was finally diagnosed with pcos. some of the symptoms of pcos are heavy periods, late or missed periods, excess acne on face or tummy,excess facial hair,nausia,lower back pain or in lower abdomen area.and infertility, hair loss,ive also learned that the infertility is not only due to the cycsts on the ovaries but also it has something to do with the insulin levels. a women with pcos sometimes doesnt ovulate but if she does, her ovum will not be mature enough to be fertilized.so if you have had infertility problems as well id say it is pcos. best of luck to you
   — carrie M.

September 3, 2002
This could definitely be PCOS, or at the very least obesity-related in some way. You should mention it to your doctor because irregular periods, infertility, etc. are significant comorbidities and only show that you need the surgery MORE, not less. Losing alot of weight, as with WLS, should help normalize things (weight, insulin, periods, hormones, etc.)
   — Patricia E.