Seeking Guidance: Unexplained Irregular Periods and Symptoms
During my freshman year of high school, I experienced my first menstrual cycle in November. Initially, my periods were irregular, which I learned is common within the first couple of years. However, two years later, my cycle remained inconsistent; I would frequently skip months, sometimes going 3 to 4 months without a period. When my menstruation did occur, it was accompanied by severe discomfort that sometimes left me feeling faint. Eventually, I consulted a gynecologist who conducted an ultrasound and diagnosed me with polycystic ovaries, explaining that I had PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). To help regulate my cycles, she prescribed medroxyprogesterone, which I was to take for the first ten days of each month. This treatment initially worked, and I had normal periods for about a year. However, in November 2024, I missed my cycle entirely. I did get my period in December and January of 2025, but then skipped February and March despite continuing my medication. It seemed that the treatment had lost its effectiveness. I sought the opinion of a different gynecologist in my college town, as my previous doctor had retired. This new doctor performed both internal and external ultrasounds in March, confirming the presence of polycystic ovaries and noting that my uterine lining was thin. Despite discussing all my symptoms — including irregular cycles, abdominal weight gain, elevated cholesterol levels despite my healthy diet, frequent ovarian and uterine pain, and significant hair loss — she expressed doubt about my PCOS diagnosis. She ordered blood tests, revealing that my progesterone and estradiol levels were on the lower end, whereas my DHEA levels were higher. My testosterone levels were moderate, but she suspected that the spironolactone I had been prescribed for hair loss by my dermatologist might be affecting those results. Following this, she prescribed a course of estradiol for three weeks, followed by five days of medroxyprogesterone. The result was merely two days of very light spotting. During my recent follow-up appointment, the doctor still maintained her belief that I do not have PCOS. I strongly feel otherwise, echoing the sentiments of my first doctor. The evidence seems clear: my irregular cycles, weight gain around my midsection, high cholesterol, persistent pain, and hair loss strongly suggest the continuation of PCOS. Now, in June, I am still without a period since January. The gynecologist has suggested I try the estradiol and medroxyprogesterone regimen again. I find myself at a crossroads, unsure of the next steps to take. I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice on my situation. Thank you for your help!
Answers (1)
6/18/2025, 7:30:58 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are dealing with a complex situation regarding your menstrual health, and I appreciate how frustrating and concerning this must be for you. Let’s break down your situation and explore some actionable steps together.
Main Points:
- You have a history of irregular periods and have been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries (PCOS).
- Current treatments have been inconsistent in regulating your cycles.
- Symptoms you are experiencing (irregular cycles, weight gain, high cholesterol, pain, and hair loss) are common with PCOS.
Explanation:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can cause a variety of symptoms, including irregular periods, hormonal imbalances, and fertility issues. It’s understandable that you feel persistent symptoms point towards this condition, especially when you experienced periods of regularity on medication. The variety of blood results and opinions from different doctors can be confusing and disheartening.
When hormonal treatments like the combination of estradiol and medroxyprogesterone aren’t yielding expected results, it can feel overwhelming. It’s essential to trust your intuition about your body while also pursuing effective care.
Next Steps:
-
Document Symptoms and Treatments: Keep a diary tracking your cycles, any symptoms (like pain and hair loss), and notes on your experiences with each medication. This may help illustrate patterns that can be valuable for future appointments.
-
Consider a Follow-up with Another Specialist: If you feel your concerns are not being adequately addressed, consider seeking a second opinion from another gynecologist who specializes in hormonal disorders or reproductive endocrinology. They may have different insights or treatment options for PCOS.
-
Seek Nutritional Support: Given your high cholesterol and weight concerns, look for a registered dietitian experienced in PCOS to tailor a diet that supports hormonal balance and overall health. Focus on a balanced diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low glycemic index carbohydrates.
-
Discuss Lifestyle Changes: Regular physical activity can assist in managing PCOS symptoms. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days to help with weight management and hormone regulation.
-
Understand Medication Expectations: If you choose to continue with the current regimen, be sure you have a clear understanding of what to expect. Follow-up with your doctor if the treatment yields no change in a couple of months, so you can discuss alternative strategies.
-
Explore Additional Treatment Options: Depending on your symptoms, treatments such as Metformin (often used for insulin resistance in PCOS) or other hormonal therapies could be discussed as alternatives, especially if weight management proves challenging.
Finally, be gentle with yourself during this process. Managing a condition like PCOS is often a journey, and finding the right support and treatment may take time. You deserve a care plan that aligns with your needs and concerns. If you have further questions or need clarification on any steps, don’t hesitate to ask!
Related Questions
Seeking Guidance for My Health Struggles
Hello everyone, I find myself in a tough spot and am reaching out for advice on what type of medical professional I should consult. I'm a 33-year-old woman, standing at 5'5" and weighing 130 lbs. I have never smoked or consumed alcohol, and I generally maintain a healthy diet, often tracking my meals to ensure balance. At the moment, I'm using Depo-Provera and taking 100mg of Trazodone. I'm hesitant to share my story on Reddit, but I feel overwhelmed and am struggling to address my multitude of health challenges. Instead of getting confused by focusing on individual symptoms, I’d like to provide a comprehensive overview of my ongoing issues, hoping someone might point me in the right direction. I don’t feel I’m on the brink of death or facing a dire illness like cancer, yet I’m constantly drained and frustrated, unable to engage fully in my life. Am I simply cursed with bad luck? Is it unreasonable to wonder whether these health matters might be interconnected? Am I alone in this? Here are the known issues that may shed light on my situation: - I was born with scoliosis and hip dysplasia, which were monitored through my teenage years, hovering right on the edge of needing a brace. During this period, I was also diagnosed with hypermobility causing joint discomfort and sciatica. Recently, physical therapy for my neck reaffirmed this hypermobility. - As a child, I suffered frequent severe sinus and ear infections, leading to the removal of my tonsils and adenoids, along with an ethmoidectomy. It was discovered that I had a severe mold allergy. As an adult, I recently identified over 16 additional allergies and am currently undergoing treatment with allergy shots. - I experienced sudden periorbital cellulitis as a child, requiring hospitalization, though the cause remains unknown. - I developed debilitating IBS during my youth, marked by intense pain and alternating diarrhea and constipation, which drastically affected my education. - Endometriosis diagnosed via laparoscopy after enduring seven years of severe menstrual pain, excessive bleeding, and gastrointestinal issues, with the endometrial tissue twisting my colon and causing a partial blockage. - I also dealt with a severe case of pelvic inflammatory disease that required hospitalization, despite testing negative for any STDs. Symptoms that have persisted since childhood and flare up intermittently include (currently experiencing all): - Frequent dizziness when standing—around 75% of the time—without any accompanying rapid heartbeat; often, my vision fades, and I must brace myself against a wall or sit down. - Hot flashes, both day and night. - Lifelong insomnia, despite good sleep hygiene and Trazodone, I manage about six hours of sleep on average. - I struggle to go without eating for more than four hours without experiencing shaking, cold sweats, and facial tingling, which makes it difficult to speak. Monitoring my blood sugar—often in the low 70s, rising to 94 in the morning or after meals—appears normal. - Unprecedented fatigue; I am usually very active but now find myself stuck in bed. - Passing thin stools alongside occasional significant red blood, although my recent colonoscopy returned normal results. - Persistent nasal congestion (I hope the allergy shots will help). - Difficulty swallowing liquids, at times feeling as if I've forgotten how to swallow when liquid is in my mouth, leading to choking episodes. - Salivary stones, with one currently large and impacted, possibly requiring surgery. - Dry eyes and uncomfortable clear cysts appearing on my corneas when exposed to sunlight. Newly emerging symptoms include: - My legs and feet turning purple while sitting or standing, along with night-time aching. I experience nerve-like pain in my right foot, sometimes feeling as though cold water is pouring over my feet. I consulted a vascular specialist who suspects a neurological issue. My feet have always felt cold, but the discoloration occurs even when warm. - Flushing rashes on my face and chest in response to heat exposure. Blood tests consistently show normal results. My white blood cell counts occasionally dip slightly below normal (e.g., 3.8 when the cutoff is 4), my platelet size slightly exceeds the norm, and I have never been anemic. A decade ago, I had critically low vitamin D levels, but since then, my levels have stabilized. My ANA tests are at the higher end of the normal range. I’m open to any suggestions, humorous remarks, advice, or encouraging thoughts you may have!
Concerns Over My 8-Year-Old's Headache
This morning, my 8-year-old son, who weighs 80 pounds and stands at 4 feet 7 inches, abruptly awoke from a deep slumber only to vomit soon after. Since then, he has been suffering from an intense headache that has persisted throughout the day, prompting him to vomit several more times—around five or six, to be precise. His fever peaked at 102.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the lingering headache, we decided to consult his pediatrician. During the visit, tests were conducted for COVID-19, flu, and strep, all of which returned negative results. An examination of his ears, nose, and abdomen did not reveal any issues, and there were no swollen lymph nodes present. His stools were soft but did not qualify as full-blown diarrhea. The doctor's recommendation was to administer some Tylenol for the fever and to monitor his condition, suspecting gastroenteritis. Currently, he is reluctant to eat and is drinking very little, all while still enduring this significant headache. I’m left wondering whether a visit to the emergency room is necessary or how long we should observe these symptoms before deciding to go. I am especially troubled by his morning vomiting and headache, given that he was completely fine last night. It's worth noting that he was last unwell two weeks ago, during which he experienced a bad cough, mild fever, and fatigue. Although the fever has subsided, the cough remains persistent, which may provide some context for his current condition.
Dealing with Ongoing Symptoms Amidst Anxiety
I’m a 23-year-old female living in Australia, and I've been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Earlier this year, I underwent gallbladder surgery due to an infection related to gallstones. Currently, I'm not taking any medications because they haven't proven effective for my anxiety, and I don't use recreational substances. My weight is currently 89 kg. I recently received a message from my healthcare clinic indicating that my blood test results came back normal. While I can't recall the exact details, I believe the tests included a full blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), thyroid function tests, liver and kidney assessments, as well as a diabetes screening. Despite the normal blood results, I've been experiencing a range of troubling symptoms: persistent fatigue, bouts of dizziness, occasional nausea that sometimes leads to vomiting, brain fog, heart palpitations, abdominal bloating, and severe itching that predominantly occurs at night. I also contend with chest discomfort, shortness of breath that manifests both while resting and lying down, night sweats, a decreased appetite, back pain, and notable weight loss—dropping from 99 kg to 89 kg over the past two weeks, despite maintaining my usual diet. These symptoms began in late May and have become a consistent part of my daily life, intensifying over time. I recognize that anxiety can contribute to many of these issues, but the fact that they are daily and worsening is seriously affecting my well-being. Seeking advice on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Concerns About HIV Testing
Hello everyone, I'm a 23-year-old female, and my healthcare providers have advised me to undergo an HIV test. Given that I have HSV-2, their recommendation makes sense. Interestingly, this suggestion first arose three years ago when I was hospitalized for pneumonia linked to COVID. During that time, they performed genital swabs because I was experiencing folliculitis; however, I completely overlooked scheduling the HIV test. Currently, I've been diagnosed with tonsillitis, and my doctor is now recommending both a CMV test and another HIV test. Upon hearing about the latter, I recalled the previous recommendation from three years back. Apart from my recent pneumonia and a bout of shingles a fortnight ago, I haven't displayed any signs typically associated with HIV. I find myself spiraling into worry, endlessly searching online for information (which I know isn't a good idea), especially since I struggle with health anxiety. To clarify, I have booked the tests, but they're not scheduled for another week, and the wait feels unbearable. It’s pertinent to mention that I identify as a lesbian and my sexual history includes just one encounter with a man back in 2020. I believe the women I've been intimate with haven't had sexual relationships with men either. From what I've read, it's uncommon for women to transmit HIV to each other, but it's certainly not impossible. I understand that attitudes towards HIV have evolved over the years, yet I find myself more anxious about the social stigma that may still be attached to it. I appreciate any responses or insights you may offer:).
Exhaustion and Hallucinations: My Struggle after Two Sleepless Nights
I’ve been pulling back-to-back all-nighters for work, and now it feels like I’m losing my grip on reality. After two nights without sleep, I’m seriously starting to panic. Strange voices are creeping in, as if police officers are conversing right outside my office door. I haven’t ventured out in three days; my anxiety about the sounds is paralyzing. I realize this all sounds irrational, but my fear feels very real, making the world seem like a less secure place. Could this be a reaction to stress? With a deadline looming this Friday, I feel trapped, unable to take a break at this point.