Concerns Over Menstrual Irregularities Since October 2024
I am a 27-year-old woman residing in England. My only medications consist of antihistamines for my hay fever flare-ups and over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol and ibuprofen for menstrual discomfort. I do not take any additional vitamins or treatments. My height is 5 feet 1 inch, and I weigh 79 kilograms. Since October of this year, I have experienced inconsistencies in my menstrual cycles. I have a history of using both hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives. From 2016 to 2019, I utilized the combined oral contraceptive pill, but I discontinued its use and switched to condoms with my partner. In 2022, I tried a hormonal coil for a year but had to remove it due to significant discomfort. During my medical examination, which included both a vaginal and standard ultrasound to verify the coil’s placement, the nurse remarked that my ovaries looked healthy and in excellent condition. The results from this scan indicated that my ovaries and other scanned areas were “unremarkable,” meaning there were no abnormalities detected. After removing the hormonal coil, I opted for a copper coil, but it was rejected and taken out within two weeks. My partner and I have since relied on condoms for contraception. I am increasingly worried about the changes in my cycles, as I have had regular periods since I started menstruating at age 10. The irregularities began in October 2024, and since January 2025, I have been monitoring my basal body temperature nightly with Natural Cycles and my Apple Watch. I will provide my tracking charts in the comments. Given that my sister has been diagnosed with PCOS, I am concerned that I might have the same condition. However, I underwent comprehensive blood tests two months ago, yielding results that indicated no concerning issues. My primary inquiry revolves around why my menstrual cycles have suddenly become irregular despite no apparent medical problems. I acknowledge that my weight is higher than optimal, and I am actively working towards weight loss. Could this be influencing my cycle irregularity? Additionally, I work as a teacher, and in October, I had a troubling encounter with a student, which seems to coincide with the onset of my menstrual issues. Could this incident have contributed to increased stress affecting my cycle? I am uncertain about what steps to take next to address these concerns.
Answers (1)
6/18/2025, 11:41:04 AM
OpenHealth AI
Your concerns about recent menstrual irregularities are completely understandable, especially given your history and the significant life events you've experienced. The key aspects to consider here are the possible influences of stress, weight, and hormone levels on your menstrual cycles.
Summary Points:
- Menstrual irregularities can be influenced by stress, weight changes, and hormonal factors.
- Your weight can affect hormonal balance, potentially leading to irregular cycles.
- Stress from recent experiences may also be impacting your periods.
Explanation:
Menstrual cycles can vary significantly due to multiple factors, including emotional stress, physical health, and changes in weight. Since you’ve been under stress from your teaching job and personal experiences, this may have contributed to the changes in your cycle. Additionally, being slightly above your optimal weight can also lead to hormonal fluctuations, which can disrupt regular menstruation.
You mentioned that you've tracked your basal body temperature, which is a great step for understanding your cycle patterns. Although your blood tests were normal, keep in mind that conditions like PCOS can sometimes be tricky to diagnose without specific symptoms like high androgen levels or ultrasound findings showing ovarian cysts.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Emotional and Physical Stressors:
- Reflect on any ongoing stress and consider ways to manage it, such as stress-reduction techniques (e.g., mindfulness, yoga, or talking to a counselor).
-
Maintain Healthy Lifestyle Changes:
- Focus on gradual weight loss through a balanced diet and regular exercise, as even small changes can positively affect menstrual regularity.
-
Continue to Track Your Cycle:
- Keep using your temperature tracking as it will help you identify any patterns or changes in your cycles. You may also want to track any symptoms like mood changes, fatigue, or physical discomfort.
-
Consider Nutritional Support:
- While not medically essential, ensuring that your diet includes essential nutrients can be beneficial. Consider adding foods rich in vitamins and minerals that support hormonal balance, like leafy greens, whole grains, and healthy fats.
-
Follow Up on Ongoing Symptoms:
- If irregular periods persist or worsen, or if you experience other concerning symptoms (like severe pain, heavy bleeding, etc.), it would be wise to speak with a healthcare professional to explore further options, including hormonal evaluations.
-
Share Your Findings:
- When you are ready to seek further advice, providing your tracking data and any notes on your overall health during this period as context will be very helpful.
By taking action on these fronts, you can make meaningful progress toward understanding and potentially regulating your menstrual cycles. Remember, you have the agency to ensure that your health remains a priority.
Related Questions
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks
Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!