No Period?

Hi S.

I to have been going through a similar situation like this for about 8 months. I went to the doctor and was giving a pregency test (NEGATIVE)(my tubes have been cut)so I knew that was impossible. Then I was giving a blood test, and that also came back negative.
My gyn was trying to see if I was going through an early stage of premenopause, but the test was inclusive.
I had a pap smear done, and it was normal, so we are just montioring it.
I started getting it again, but for some reason it was late, and didn't last very long. I have noticed that I now get creeps more than I have had before.

This isn't something that runs in my family, so I don't know what it could be. I didn't mention, that I am over 42, so it could just be the early stages for me.

Stress will do many things to your body, and just giving you signs to take it easy. I would get a pap smear, and see if that comes back negative.

Thanks..G.

Talk to your dr...explain the insurance situation, perhaps a normal pap may not be covered BUT if you explain your family history, he/she may find a different code to use and the exam is warranted due to your history. Dr's usually will help you out in those cases. If he/she doesn't, you may want to look around for another dr to help you. Good luck and I hope you're just fine!

Do you have an IUD or are you taking the Depo shot for birth control? Those could make your period weak and go away. I would mention family history to your doctor. The pap test screens for cervical cancer, so I don't think it would detect growths on ovaries. That would probably be checked via ultrasound.

Hello-
I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and this happened to me and I didn't have aone for about almost 3 yrs. I am just now getting back to some very unusual and not predictable period. It has been particularly rough because we want more children. I thought I was alone but alot of my clients have had this sme problem. I really believe it was the birth control but you never know. Keep your head up!!

Call your insurance company and let them know what is happening. They just might let you go ahead with the procedure. Don't forget to mention the family history.
I never hurts to ask.

I would definitely get a referal and go to a specialist. I had not had a period in a year and my GYN ignored me consistanted telling them of the concern. They said oh nothing is wrong its stress. Well, I had a funny feeling about it and demanded to go to a specialist in Columbus, Ga. Boy, was I shocked something was terribly wrong with me. I had to have major surgery because of not having a period. It has been a nightmare. When I called and told my GYN of what was found and what had to be done because of them iignoring me. There response was Oh dear. Please just don't take your doctor's word get a specialist involved. And if you see Dr. Wright or Dr. Nygen question everything they say! Hope this helps. C.

Hi S.. Can you pay out of pocket for a Pap smear? With a family history like that, I think I would be aggressive in looking at the cause of this, rather than waiting until the year is up. (The concept of an insurance company deciding when diagnostic studies are needed is beyond ridiculous! but that is another subject! )

32 is pretty young to be having perimenopausal symptoms. You could have your hormone levels checked, TSH level (thyroid). Are you a marathon runner or something like that? Elite athletes sometimes stop having their period.

Good luck and I would advise to not delay when it comes to your health. Find out what has caused your periods to stop. It is probably something minor, so don't be worried, but find out!

My opinion is this...YOU are in control of your own health. I had a friend that was bleeding not just a little after having intercourse. She would call her busy Ob office and the nurses their would shrug it off and say if she was bleeding she couldn't be seen. After months of this going on she finally DEMANDED to be seen and was finally examined by the Doctor. Long story short they confirmed she had Ovarian Cancer and the cancer doctor she went to confirmed that she most likely had it for about 6 months. Don't ever let someone else "bully" you around when it comes to your health. If cancer runs in your family it's a concern, furthermore if you are not having a period and have done pregnancy test after test which turned out negative that is a concern in my opinion. I am not trying to scare you or anything I am just trying to urge you to be seen to figure out what is going on with you and do not take no as an answer...period. If it were them would they not want to be seen?
Also just a suggestion as well. I was recently introduced to a product called MonaVie which is really a berry juice main ingredient is the Acai Berry which is only found in the Brazilian Amazon....this stuff is the bomb! Do your research on it on the Internet, but keep in mind you will see some negative things about it just as ANYTHING else out there. Internet is great don't get me wrong but you just can't believe everything you see. My cousin introduced me to this stuff who has colititus (did I spell that right?) anyways she is completely off of her meds. I don't really have any health issues so to say but I often feel run down just as us mothers often do. I am a testimony that this stuff works as well as many many other testimonys. Take the info as you may but I cannot keep secret of something that might make someone have a better quality of life and it may or may not help you I don't know but I just had to share. Good luck and keep us updated! God Bless! I will keep you in my prayers sweetie!

Have your doc give you a referral to a gynochologist. Insurance should cover this, but call them first.

The problem is that there can be multiple reasons for no period and you kind of have to wait alot of times with doctors so that they don't think you are just late or stressed and put you off. I missed my period and had symptoms of pregnancy so I asked them to test me for pregnancy after a month. I was actually trying to get pregnant. Come to find out, I had hypothyroidism which I take a small pill each day to control. 9 months later, I am finally pregnant.

If your period still doesn't come after 2 months, go to your family doctor and asked to be tested for something. Think of any others symptoms even if they seem small. Check your family history for different medical problems. My mom has hypothyroidism too. I was so tired from hypothyroidism that I had to go in and get seen one day. I couldn't hardly move. Think about what has affected your body recently that seems unusual. I didn't pay attention to all the signs I had like dry skin and hair, trouble concentrating, weight gain, constipation, and sensitivity to cold.

Good luck!

well, if you need a referral for insurance reason's I'd find a dr on my plan call the regular dr for a referral and just say I need a second opinion thanks have blessed day to them...if you don't need a referral for insurance reasons...don't wait call another doctor's office and get a second opinion....listen many women are tired of the brush off it's in our heads or it's normal...it's not normal if it's your body and you don't skip periods...don't wait doctors are not god nor do they know the winning lottery numbers, you are your best judge of your body get another doctor and another opinion you can have another pap if the other doctor has a reason for it and paps aren't always the answer find another doctor so your mind can rest and you can take care of your body. Many blessings to you I hope all turns out well for you.

S.,

Get another doctor! LACK OF PERIODS MEAN SOMETHING TO MOST DOCTORS. I used to miss my period each Chirstmas due to stress but that started when I was a young girl and I knew I could not be pregnant so when it continued after i married and had relations it did not worry me. Have you been under much or more stress this past month? Lost of a job, death in the family, husband issues, or health issues---all of these
could cause your body to shut down so you can not get pregnant this past month and so no ovulation and no period. The body is an amazing machine.

You are right to be worried about familiar health issues. We all have family genes and they do determine what our bodies are more open to in terms of health issues and risk. Just to be on the safe side DON'T drink or due drugs or medicine until your period returns. I have know many girls with negative PG test and a "bun in the oven".

Good luck.
C.

Are you extremely athletic or thin? These conditions can stop a woman's cycle. Are you taking any new birth control? The Dr. can prescibe something to stimulate your ovaries and give your body that boost it needs to get back on track if you are not pregnant.

Wishing you the best

I would be moody, too, if I were anxious about my body!

When you saw you doctor, did you mention your family history? If it were me, I'd make an appt with my Gyn and have a full examination. This could be anything from stress to a big deal to a fluke. But finding out earlier rather than later is advisable. Good luck!

Hey, S. - I was in the same boat as you about six months ago. I am the same age and have kids nearly the smae age as yours. I had a very light period two weeks after another period and then nothing. I had also taken non -steroid medication about four months prior which I believe finally got out of my system but threw my periods off. Have you taken any type of the meds in the last few months?

The other thing is that a friend of mine (same age) has been missing periods also off and on. Hers are not predictable like they used to be. The lovely age factor according to her doc. So it could be that also.

I would talk to the gyno or regular doc and explain what has been going on. They can also do bloodwork to see if you are preggers and they can do an ultrasound. Good luck and let us know what happens!

a lot of things can effect your period, are you on the pill? are you over weight or under weight? your activity level can affect it as well. My friend rides horses alot and her periods are always jacked up. I would wait a little until you know you are supposed to start and if you don't then go to your doctor and have them give you a pregnancy test. if it is still negative. tell them again what is going on and tell them about your cousins if they don't seem like they care you may want to get a second opinion. Good luck!!

Hi S.,

I wouldn't be too concerned. You might be under stress with the kids and working so much. I think based upon your family history, you could request an ultrasound or request a pap and pay out of pocket if insurance denies it. The other thought I had is that insurance MIGHT cover it because its not considered a routine (annual) pap...depends on how the doctor submits the bill. I think you need to do whatever will give you peace of mind. Worrying about it can delay its arrival also. I have always been like clock work before and after I had the kids....then suddenly "she" got a mind of her own and starting coming 10 days late. Now each month "she" has been coming a few days earlier to the point that I think I've recaptured the 10 days late from the beginning :) Not sure if you are taking any supplements or changed your work out regime if you have one but that can play a role in it also.

I wouldn't worry too much about the growths. These kinds of things happen to all of us from time to time. BUT, if you are having difficulty, just demand an ultrasound to make sure.

I've been without a period from time to time for months and months and got pregnant, so I never knew when I got pregnant. (I think this happened to 3 out of my 5 kids.)

But what I would do is take some herbs for this very thing to get you back regular again. www.herbsfirst.com has a formula that is great to help regulate your period (I am surprised that your doc didn't give you something to have you start your period.) called the Female Reproductive Formula...there is another called Hormonal Changease formula. Good luck!

S., You have some very compassionate responses to your situation, I would also expect a little more compassion from my doctor in this situation.... You are evidently a tad stresed too..... I went through a very stressfull time in my life a few years ago and mine(periods) have not been the same since. I find stress to be the precursor to illness and disease.... And even,as you state both cousins had growths removed a few years ago, if there is something then letting go of the stress also affects what is troubling your body physically, mentally and emotionally! Be aware of the changes in your body, you can control with meditation, energy exercises designed for women, massage, a Reiki session, or just a night out with the women.... I wish you sucess in finding the culprit and please keep in touch. Choose CAM or complementary alternative medicate alongside your traditional western medical practitioner - I don't know what city you live in but even in the smaller areas you should be able to find a practitioner of a healing modality with which you are comfortable. Blessings, M.

I had something similar going on and it turned out I was anemic. Not enough blood to for a period. Of course I thought it was a "female" thing, but it was a blood thing.

The family history should preclude the usual protocol the doctor must observe for insurance. If you have not done so, I would call the insurance company and explain the family history and get pre-approval.

Another option is to go to the health department and pay for a pap. You can ask for a nurse practitioner. They are often every knowledgeable and will know that other issues could be causing the problem.

Also, you can ask your doctor of the health department for a transvaginal ultrasound. If insurance won't pick it up, you can schedule at an independent imaging center and do self pay. I just had to do that and it cost me 100.00 instead of the usual 400.00. . . a small price to pay for piece of mind.

If you haven’t done research on your own, Google "premature cessation of periods" and other key words and read the articles. Also try web MD and some sites that allow you to key in symptoms.

I asked for a transvaginal ultrasound for three years because of extreme bloating and was told it was middle age spread and that I was paranoid. When I insisted and offered to pay outright, the ultrasound was performed in the office and a tumor was discovered. Thankfully it was benign but it had grown so large over the three years that it grew into the ovary which had to be removed. As women, we know our bodies and often sense when something is wrong. You are probably fine but follow your gut and make sure.

Please let us all know how you fare and what you find out. Good luck!

If you're concerned, being told not to worry doesn't help much, does it? :)

Did you go to a gynecologist or your GP? If you GYN won't do another PAP, I'd see if your GP will. They often do them as part of a yearly physical. Alternately, I'd absolutely call the GYN back, tell them your family history, and refuse to go away until someone takes a look at you. Even a pelvic exam without PAP could reveal abnormalities. Don't let the insurance company control this for you. This is YOUR health, and if you're concerned, you need to be your own advocate.

S., I know this sounds like a stupid question, but have you made your doctor aware of your cousins' growths? If the doctor is aware of that and still not concerned, it is probably not an urgent problem and can wait until your next pap to check it out. Also, if your next pap is due in the next couple of months, your doctor may feel that that is soon enough. The other thing I would recommend that you talk to your doctor about is a hysteroscopy. I have had uterine polyps twice and this is the method that my gynecologist used to diagnose the problem (I had bleeding between periods, not lack of periods in my case). Check out this website for info on the procedure http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp084.cfm
The procedure was no big deal - I did not need any kind of anesthesia although I think I had to take ibuprofen or something similar beforehand (for cramping).
I know it is easier to say than to do, but try not to worry. A cousin is not as close as a mother or grandmother (they are a direct line to you rather than your parent's sister or brother's child).
Lastly, if you are still uncomfortable/worried, talk to your friends and find out the name of another good gynecologist and call their office to ask about your concerns and/or getting a second opinion.
Hope this helps . . . Take care! E.

Well from the person who has never gotten a positive pregnancy test in her life (im currently 29 weeks pregnant and probably still wouldn't get one now if I tried) I wouldn't rule out pregnancy just yet. Maybe have your doctor do a blood test for pregnancy (although I have to be at least 9 weeks for one of those personally). Good Luck!