how irregular is OK?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2008
how irregular is OK?
3
Sat, 10-25-2008 - 12:47am
Ok here's my story - I'm almost 40 and have been having irregular periods for about 4 years.  It started as once a year I would skip 2-3 months and the rest of the year was regular.  It has gradually gotten to the point that this past year I had a period in January, May, June and VERY light spotting in October.  I feel pretty good other than a low sex drive and some slight depression.  I have tried progesterone cream that is bio identical prescription and that only made me feel bloated and gain weight in my stomach area.  I haven't had any hormone testing done.  I am wondering if there is anything I should be worried about or if I should just let this be what it is.  Am I too young to be going so long without periods and will it be harmful to me in any way? 
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2007
Sat, 10-25-2008 - 4:38am

If thi shas been a long standing problem then it could be PCOS...but it sounds like perimenopuase and no you are not too young. Hormone testing might help but the tests are not very reliable unless you are in full blown meno. I am in it--I'm 48. I take a very low dose BCP called Aviane and wear a Viville-Dot patch (bioidentical) low dose estrogen patch 0.0375 mg during the placebo week. A little estrogen can make you feel a whole lot better and the BCP will regulate you till you hit meno. My GYN diagnosed me as low estrogen by my symptoms as the tests were normal, but estrogen can plunge at any time so unless the test is done at the exact right time it is not helpful A test of FSH is more conclusive in terms of meno--but it is possible to have low estrogen. Many people assume it's progesterone. My GYN educated me about the female reproductive system and the first hormone to fall short is in most cases estrogen. See:

Menopause and Perimenopause Board

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhmenopause?ice=ivl,searchmb

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-06-2008
Sun, 10-26-2008 - 7:32pm
I take BCP Lo Ogestrel and have been on it forever due to not having any periods if I don't take it. It's a low dose pill and I feel much better when taking it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2006
Mon, 10-27-2008 - 8:21pm

Hi there,

At your age this is quite normal, and it sounds like you are heading into perimenopause. Your doctor can do hormonal testing to see if this is the case, and if it isn't, then you can talk to your doctor about further testing, ultrasound, etc.