Question:
Ladies - when our periods start coming back, does that mean we're ovulating? Also....
Hi. I'm 9 weeks post-op, distal RNY. I have lost about 61 lbs so far. I had a Provera-induced period about a week prior to surgery so I wouldn't get it while in hospital. And luckily my body cooperated & didn't send me a "surgery/shock-to-the-body" period. About a month after surgery, when I was about 5 weeks post-op, a period came all on its own, & it was a good one too. I was very surprised b/c I wasn't expecting it; I'm so used to not getting periods without Provera. Anyway, it's now about another 5 weeks later and I have another period, all on its own! I have PCOS (Polycyctic Ovary Syndrome), with about 7 cycts on each ovary (at least the last time doc counted; more by now, no doubt) and also have (had?) infertility due to lack of ovulation. I also have a tipped uterus, if that matters. So, my question is, if my periods are coming on their own, does that mean I'm ovulating now? I DO NOT want to get pregnant now, if ever, so is getting pregnant something I really have to worry about, even with the PCOS & all? After years of infertility, I sort have come to believe that it's IMPOSSIBLE for me to ever get pregnant. But we're using protection just in case, b/c I read abot alot of you ladies getting pregnant suddenly due to the weight loss. Also, just a side question...Is tipped uterus caused by morbid obesity or are women born that way? If caused by MO, can it tip back the right way after loosing the weight? ....Also, have any of you noticed your periods to be MORE painful AFTER wls? Maybe its just me; I haven't had my periods very often before so I forgot all about CRAMPS! I understand that after rny, you can no longer take Advil or other similar drugs. I AM SUFFERING now & I know Tylenol is not strong enough for me, so I guess I'm out of luck. Sorry for being so long! — lalasmommy (posted on July 24, 2001)
July 24, 2001
I have a tipped uterus also. My ob/gyn said it's just something that
differs from person to person. Not unlike having a mole or some other
distinguishing mark. It doesn't appear to be related to morbid obesity.
I'm down 136 pounds, about 10 pounds from goal, and my uterus is still
tipped, so I don't think it's going anywhere soon!
As for ovulating, just because you're have periods, doesn't mean you ARE
ovulating, but if pregnancy is something you want to avoid, then use those
precautions! An unexpected or unwanted pregnancy may result otherwise.
— BethVBG
July 24, 2001
Yes, you can get pregnant when you have PCOS...I have a wonderful 9 year
old son to prove it! LOL We were not trying to get pregnant and also not
using anything to not get pregnant because, like you, I assumed I would
never have children. We didn't use any form of contraceptive for 7 years
and I had very irregular periods but after missing 3 in row I got
suspicious. I now take birth control pills to keep my cylce regular. Nancy
in TX
— NancySTX
July 24, 2001
I can't answer your question about fertility, but I do want to share this
with you. I have a tipped uterus, and it's due to a fall I had as a child.
I was told later in life as my condition was discovered that I will never
be able to conceive without surgery. I never took birth control. Before I
met my husband, I was in two serious relationships. I never got pregnant.
My husband and I were married for one year and BOOM, I'm pregnant. Please
be careful. Use every precaution. Babies are beautiful and never a
mistake, but I know this would not be the perfect time right now. Good
Luck!!
— Tammy W.
July 24, 2001
You can have a period and not ovulate. I had periods for 20 years without
ovulating! However, it sounds like your system is cranking back up, and
you may be ovulating as well as having your period! I wouldn't take a
chance - check out birth control !
— Kathy J.
July 24, 2001
I'm preop, but perhaps I can shed some light on one of your questions. You
mentioned your period was crampy and a *good one*(I am going to assume you
mean fairly heavy) and that you hadn't had many periods because of the
pcos. I too suffer from pcos and hadn't had periods for two years ( a fact
that made me happy actually...) My dr. put me on the pill to start having
periods and the first five about killed me. They were so heavy I was
soaking a pad an hour(sorry to be graphic) and had clots and cramps. I
called the Dr thinking I was dying and she said when you have pcos you
continue to get the thickening of the uterine lining but you don't get rid
of it. This is actually a cause of cervical cancer which is why they make
us have periods, either from shots or the pill. Basically all that tissue
is still there. So if you haven't been having monthly periods all that
tissue is there and now coming out. It takes about 4-6 months to finally
become normalized. My Dr said the only alternative is a dnc and just scrape
it all out at once, but that sounded really painful and I took a pass.
About my fifth period after getting on the pill it did normalize. Now if
the surgery is causing all the tissue to come out of you, it will be heavy
and crampy, but it is only going to be a few times. Best of luck...
— Becky K.
July 25, 2001
If you are having a period, you MAY be ovulating. You CAN get pregnant with
a tipped uterus - ask my mom. Your tipped uterus can be from many or a
variety of things - obesity can be a cause. My last period I had PMS for
about the 4th time in my life - and cramps, also rare. Due to WLS? I took
Tylenol, rather useless, but about hte only thing to do. Yoga stretching
helped a lot. Who knows? Obviously, your reproductive system is under
change. Bottom line - you are not infertile unless you have had a
hysterectomy or tubal ligation or your partner had a vasectomy. You are as
vulnerable as a 16 year old in the backseat of a Plymouth on Prom night.
— M. A. B.
July 25, 2001
1. I didn't know I couldn't take Advil- is this TRUE? If so, why can't I
take it?
2.I didn't have a period for 1.5 years before surgery. Since surgery I
have been very regular! I kind of think I am ovulating now, since it can
pretty much time the whole cycle to the minute (I feel the ovulation, then
the cramps)! Who knows until I try and get knocked up.... Anyway, you
probably are, and should use birth control.
3. Another thing for us PCOS 'Cysters', BC Pills only help our symptoms
temporarily. Yes, we will have a pill induced period- which is good for
our uterus, but for our other symptoms (hirsutism, acne etc.) BC Pills
eventually lose their strength against the battle.... If you have PCOS it
is wise to get with a Endocrinologist who can treat PCOS on the whole, and
not just a Ob/gyn. A good book to invest in is The Hidden Epidemic by
Samuel Thatcher MD. While Dr. Thatcher doesn't reccomend (or really knock
either) WLS for the fight against PCOS, there is SUCH GOOD information in
that book, that every PCOSer should read.
— Karen R.
August 12, 2001
I know I am late on this posting. But, here goes anyway. Concerning why
you should not be taking any asperin based products otherwise known as
nsaids (non-steriodal anti-inflamatory drugs). I will attempt to explain it
the way my doctor explained it to me, in a thumbnail sketch if you will.
The reason you should not be taking Advil, BC Powders or any aspiren based
products is because of your new tiny tummy. Due to malabsorption, not being
in the stomach long enough to be broke down or digested. So, the medication
is quickly pushed through into your digestive tract. And the drugs could
sit there for awhile and burn a hole in your intestine.
Just like it could in your old stomach that is why it was always
recommended to eat before you take any anti-imflamatories. So, you should
be taking non-aspiren based products only such as Tylenol.
Hope this helps.
— clbsgo
August 12, 2001
keep in mind that you ovulate about 2 weeks before your period arrives. So
don't assume you can't get pregnant because you don't have a period. You
never know when that egg might drop, just waiting to be fertilized. If your
periods are absent or irregular you don't know when you will be ovulating.
And don't assume you can't get pregnant, just because you haven't been able
to before.
— [Anonymous]
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