but I think it probably has a lot to do with being overweight.
I haven't had my period for a looong time.. so long back I don't even remember when it was. I'm guessing it's been close to 6 months. I've never, ever been regular. There have been a few years where I've only had 2 periods for the entire year.
I did go to the doctor awhile back, and they put me on birth control. I never really got into the swing of taking it everyday. They also did what I think is called a pap smear? and my mom never said anything about the results so I just assumed everything was fine.
I know that sometimes it takes awhile after you've gone through puberty to have a monthly cycle. But I'm 20.. so I figured it would be normal by now! Do you guys think it's probably just because of my weight??
Most of you will prob suggest going to the gyno - but thats really, REALLY, REALLY hard for me to do :/. Don't get me wrong, I love never having to worry about it, but I would love it even more if my body would just do its thing like its supposed to.
Just a comment about you not being able to go to the OBGYN. I FULLY understand and I think MANY women do. I personally put it off for a LOOOOONG time and when I say I don't like going I mean it and it is extremely hard to go for my own personal reasons. Saying that I got my butt on insurance and dragged myself to the doctor and then to my OBGYN and I can say that was the BEST decision I have made in a long time. I was really upset with going, really upset, but I have done it twice now this year and learned so much about my body including getting a diagnoses I desperately needed.
My point is that having a conversation with a professional was essential. There could be many reasons why your period is irregular and personally taking a step for you to find out why is important. For me going was one of the hardest things I've made myself do in a LONG time. It was and is hard because of my past, but now after going twice this year I have no real problem getting myself there. Still struggle, but I think all women do. I mean it isn't a magical time for us to be all...exposed lol.
I really do think it is important to get yourself checked out, start opening up that door because you will have to take these steps at some point. I'm 31 now and I can say that had I really explored a lot of my issues when I was in my 20s...well I would have had an easier time in my 20s! My doctor and I think I'm more toward the PMDD kind of line and having my hormones balanced is essential for me. I also have some skin issues, etc etc... Had I gone earlier, a few years ago, I think things would have been more positive for me.
That is what I think anyhow about the dreaded OBGYN. Just an added thought, it is hard to say what it could be as everyone is different. One woman will experience one thing and another something else, so that is why I think it is important to go get checked out. Totally understand your worries and where you're coming from.
Last edited by Jacquie668; 10-20-2009 at 07:47 PM.
That all def. makes sense, and I agree that I should go and I NEED to go.. it's just.. hard. In the most extreme sense of the word. If I made an appointment, do you think that we'd just be able to sit and talk? Like no exam, at least for the first time? Idk.. I dont know how else to go about doing it.
There's a guy in your profile pic, are you sexually active? If you are, you should probably get checked out once a year. If it's cost that's an issue, I would highly recommend Planned Parenthood. They were a lifesaver for me back when I was a broke college student.
If you find it hard to take your pill every day, put the pack by your tootbrush. You brush your teeth every morning, right?
I COMPLETELY understand about not wanting to go to the gyno. I hate hate hate it, and because I'm not active, I rationalize putting it off as long as possible every time. I think you should try to force yourself to go--be sure to ask for a consultation in addition to an exam, though, if you want to have time to talk. (I made the mistake of not asking and had, oh, FIVE minutes of the dr.'s time. Last time I saw HER, let me tell you.)
That being said, I've had similar regularity issues, and my gyno said that they were related to my weight. (Extra fat = extra estrogen, I think, which means fewer periods. Yay! But extra estrogen can put you at increased risk for scary cancers, like breast cancer. Boo.)
Bottom line, just for your own peace of mind, go. Then come back here for some TLC after. We feel your pain, believe me.
I have to repeat what the other guys said and say find a way to go. Cervical cancer is so easily treatable, and you should have regular, annual pap smears to watch for the early symptoms....especially if you're sexually active.
Maybe ask friends for a good recommendation as to a nice OB. Or phone around a few and talk to the receptionist - I think you can tell a lot about a Dr by her receptionist. Tell her you're nervous and want to ensure that you'll have time to talk to the Dr and get comfortable. A good receptionist will be supportive and will ensure that you have time. If they don't, find another doc. This is highly personal, and potentially life saving, so you need to feel 100% comfortable (well, as much as you can in that position!).
The period thing could be a lot of things, and you should get it checked out. It may just be that that's how you are...but if you plan to have kids down the road you'll want to address it now, so that you're aware.
In all, it's not as bad as you think, if you find a doc you're comfortable with. Then it's just one a year....I KNOW you can do that. You come here and post and give and receive support, so you have the strength to take control of this.
Honestly...I know exactly what you're going through. I started my period when I was 9...and I would have one like ever 3 or 4 months. It started to become more regular once I hit about 14...it was almost every month...but sometimes I'd have a super long period (I think my record was like 21 or 22 days...thats like a month of period >.<) and then wouldn't have one for a couple months...and sometimes I'd have one twice in a month. The ONLY thing that has been able to regulate me so far is the birth control....
The other good thing about the birth control was that I used to have cramps that were so bad sometimes I had to be hospitalized because they thought there was something wrong with me...they would be so painful I'd miss a week of school and throw up anything I ate...it was TERRIBLE. On the birth control, I still cramp...but I can walk..and drive a car...and eat food...and I generally don't feel like I'm dying. It's great. lol
I don't hate the gyno so much anymore...I mean, when I was 9 years old and my mom took me in there to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with me, it was COMPLETELY awkward...but I've gone every year since and I guess I've just gotten used to it. Don't get me wrong, it's nothing you ever really get USED to...but I'm to the point now where I can go in there with the mentality "it will be over in a few minutes and then I can leave" and I'll generally be alright. lol
I also NEVER ever remembered to take my birth control every day. I would miss a weeks worth, and then pop them all the day I remembered (which I know is bad for you, but I figured it was better then just skipping...and i'm probably wrong but whatever)...and at my last gyno appointment I talked to my doctor about it and he put me on that Nuvaring thing that you see on the TV commercials...and it's a little bit weird at first...but honestly I think it was the best decision I could have made. You just have to remember to put it in and take it out three weeks later, and put the next one in a week later...and that's it. No pills every day, no annoying patches, no shots. I can't even tell it's there most of the time. I strongly suggest checking it out, and doing some research on it, and going to your gyno! lol.
with irregular periods, it is possible that you have PCOS. I was always told that if you had one period a year, it was ok but really birth control pills can help get PCOS symptoms under control. For me, I truly believe that the only reason I was able to lose the weight I have is because of the pill.
That all def. makes sense, and I agree that I should go and I NEED to go.. it's just.. hard. In the most extreme sense of the word. If I made an appointment, do you think that we'd just be able to sit and talk? Like no exam, at least for the first time? Idk.. I dont know how else to go about doing it.
Here is what I did.
- I printed out all my problems in an organized list including my patient history and I brought my blood work document as well. This helped me as I was so nervous and scared that having a piece of paper there with all my thoughts down ahead of time meant I could A) Not worry about forgetting anything and B) Not get too scared to say what was up. I mean it is printed out and out of my control as I handed it to them lol. My doctors were thrilled with that and printed off copies for my file.
- You can request to talk to your OBGYN first before the exam and in fact a lot of doctors like that, especially with a new patient, so they can get a history and just see where you are and see if you're nervous or etc.
- You can tell your doctor if you are nervous or feeling uncomfortable. I did, I said I was nervous and though the reaction wasn't 100% what I wanted, it did mean the doctor explained everything to me as she was examining me. My second visit she was very happy to see me actually and thrilled with progress I have made, so my point is opening up that communication is a good idea and can make the examination more smooth.
- My first visit I literally cried before the visit, calmed down, was nervous (extremely) and then afterward I cried again as I got some bad news. However, my second visit, I was nervous (very), but you know what it wasn't that big of a deal seriously. I requested to talk to my OBGYN before the examination and in fact she likes that as she doesn't want to jump right in anyhow.
Just remember that you WILL have to have an examination on that visit, but again just remember it is a small time period of your life and you CAN do it. It is okay and remember this person is there to help you and you can also request a female OBGYN as well. I did and I will say that there is NO WAY I could handle a man. I just can't and won't so a female doctor is key for me personally.
If your birth control is the pill, an easy way to remember to take it each day is to set your cell phone to ring you a reminder at the same time every day.
If you are sexually active, without effective birth control, it could very well happen
I come from a long line of inherited female issues. Fibroid tumors, ovarian cysts, endimetriosis, horrible periods, with cramping so bad I would puke, 3 or 4 times the first 2 days.
And the bleeding the first 2 days was awful.
I have been getting regular exams since I was 17, I'm 50.
Your feminine health is so important!
I was lucky and got a wonderful obgyn at 29, when the family tumor issues and endimetriosis set in. I was so miserable it was unreal. I picked up the boys at age 9 from gramma's house one night after work and I was in so much pain, I had in the back seat and had the boys drive the 2 miles home.
After several months of trial and error, one laser surgery, considering the family history, and consultations with a great obgyn, I opted for a COMPLETE HYSTERECTOMY. I had already had my great twin boys, and more children were just not in the picture, we'd tried for 8 years.
I don't regret my choice. But it is so important to get whatever is going on checked out and get it under control, before your hormones turn you into a raging/bawling/sweating disaster. I remember one night while I was working with my obgyn with my problems, we came home from a Christmas party and it was -5 outside. I had a hotflash so bad, I stood outside for 15 minutes with the sweat rolling down my back, before I finally got cool enough to go in the house. My Dh thought I was friggin nuts and had lost my mind.
I know it's hard to go, and I know I'm rambling, but it's so important to take care of yourself, suck it up, make a call, do a consult only, if that makes you feel better, until you find a doc, you're comfy with and then GO!
And do the mammogram too. My first one was a riot! ROFLMAO!
The younger of my twins was going to radiology school, at the same hospital as my obgyn, so I scheduled my first mammo, along with my annual pap.
Now, mind you, I have BIG GIRLS. I had heard all the horror stories about how mammos hurt. Well for big girls it was not painful, but right after they stuck the first boob in the machine and had it squished, and FREEZING, that damn thing is cold, the tech got called away, I stood there stuck for about 10 minutes. Trapped by my boob. It was just to bizarre/funny/ironic for words.
It finally turned out ok though. But my poor son who was with me, and starving cuz he was a broke college student, was beginning to wonder what they'd done with me and why it took so long. He'd done mammo's and knew it didn't take that long.
That's another thing I was thinking about. I've always had a male obgyn, cause I go to the same guy my mother has always gone too because she trusts him so that's who she took me to when I was 9...and I just haven't had a reason to switch. It doesn't really make me more nervous I think though, because there is always a female nurse in the room with me and him, so I'm never alone with him, so I guess it makes it less uncomfortable for me.
It IS a good idea though, if you're extremely nervous about it, to take the gender of the doctor you choose into consideration.
My obgyn is a guy, but he's great. Little short guy, looks like Steve Martin, lives on a small ranch has horses, wears his wranglers and cowboy boots to the office. Cool guy.
One of his nurse specialists is a gal I used to baby sit when she was little. One time when I went for my exam, she was supposed to be the nurse, she walked in, saw me and said, "I can't do you", I just laughed and said "I'm ok with it", she ran like her hair was on fire and I never saw her until I left the office.
Talked to her mom later and told her the story. Her Mom just laughed and said "julie has a hard time being the attending nurse with people she knows, like she knows you. It was all good, we've talked since, she still does not attend my exams, but doesn't run from me when I'm there, she'll stop and visit with me.
Adding my voice to having an appt. Adding my vote to Planned Parenthood. Lots of teens/early 20s year old women go to Planned Parenthood and the staff will be very used to nervous young women. No one can EVER force you to have an exam. There is no reason you can't sit down and discuss your symptoms and find out what MIGHT be going on. An exam might be RECOMMENDED but you are in charge of your body, so you get to say yes or no.
Please, please, please, please ask lots of questions. Did they do a Pap? You should know (you should know, not just your mom, okay?). I took care of a lady once who didn't know if she still had her uterus. She just went into the hospital for surgery, was there for several weeks, and had no idea what they did to her. Ask questions!!!! Keep asking until you understand! Learn what a Pap is and why it is important and when you personally should be having them, cause it is not one size fits all.
This has nothing to do with weight loss...
Totally understand your worries and where you're coming from.
