I did not see a health sub forum anywhere and since I am a 20 something, and figured other 20 somethings might have the same issue I would ask you girls

I am 21 and my period has always been pretty irregular. The gyno told me about a year ago that I do not ovulate but I still have my period. I was ushally about 1-2 weeks late. Then about 6 months ago my period was like clock work. I started working out and dieting about a month ago..and I am 3 weeks late now. All of a sudden.

Would you all think that it is from dieting/working out?

I don't have health insurance right now, so I am just looking for any advice I can get.

Thanks ladies

Well I am completely unqualified to answer this question, but when I had an eating disorder I stopped having my period even though I was never technically underweight according to BMI.

Really, no one can tell you why that happened aside from a doctor who has done a complete work up on you. Also, you said you were "usually 1-2 weeks late". If you usually had your period in a certain time frame (say 40 days), it could just mean that you have long cycles It's a widely accepted myth that women *should* have 28 day cycles.

Stress, environment, changes in how active you are can throw off your cycle and our bodies are always changing.

If it's something that is concerning you, you really should see a doctor. I was uninsured for years and Planned Parenthood was my primary source for medical care. They may even treat you on a sliding scale (you pay based on your income).

Good luck!

Body getting used to the new system, probably...

Just curious, why did he say you didn't ovulate? When I'm not on the pill, I'm like that so I'm wondering if that's my case too. However, I used to be regular when I was at a lower weight, so I always kinda assumed that it had to do with me being so overweight!

Thank you both very much! I totally forgot about Planned Parenthood! I thought they only did pregnancy testing though?

They really did not know why I did not ovulate..The said weight might be a factor, I might have PCOS, Thyroid problem, etc..but my gyno said loosing weight will fix all this (I hated my gyno...) so I am not really sure.

I was curious as to why the doctor told you that as well.

As for not ovulating while overweight or obese, I pulled out my Taking Charge of Your Fertility book and it mentions that hormones necessary for ovulation can become stored in fat. I had about 3-5 periods a year until I went on BCP as an obese woman. Now, post-pill and at a normal weight I am in the middle of my very first regular cycle. It's funny how our bodies change.

Oh gosh no! I had my annual exams there every year throughout my late teens to just now (I recently became insured).

And I know you hate your doctor, but she is correct on that count. I've heard of many women who have had trouble concieving get pregnant after changing their diets and losing weight. This is particularly true for those of us with PCOS.

My cycle is 35 to 37 days, like clockwork, with the exception of this month, and I'm under a ridiculous amount of stress.

My sister wasn't ovulating, but she has PCOS. There could be any number of reasons, but you should probably get that checked out, maybe PP can do all of that for you

Thanks girls, I will check out planned parenthood asap!

So I'm a doctor... and my recommendation would be to see your local Planned Parenthood if insurance is an issue. As other posters have already said, they do much more than just pregnancy tests. The amount of services can very from one Planned Parenthood to another, but they should be able to help you out on a sliding scale payment basis. Cycles definitely change pending your exercise, weight, stress, or it could be a bigger picture thing like PCOS.

I'm no doctor or health expert, but I can definitely say that working out makes my period a lot lighter. Diet and exercise seem to relate to hormones, which explains why women who battle eating disorders frequently lose their periods. If I were you, I would definitely get a second professional opinion.

Planned Parenthood is an amazing facility. I got tested there once before, and they are professional and know how to respect your privacy. They even ask if you'd prefer to receive mail from them in an unmarked envelope. I would really recommend finding one near you.

I hope everything works out!

I just want to chime in and say "Me, too."

I used to have really regular periods, and then they got really irregular (and I started getting really nauseous all the time, causing me to lose my first 17 pounds), and all my douchebag-but-very-sexy doctor would say is, "You need to lose weight."


...so frustrating! He ran some bloodwork, too, like basic glucose and thyroid tests, but that was it. But still, even with the bloodwork, to be told, "You need to lose weight?" GAHHHH!