irregular bleeding and other symptoms

[Sheeta2586]

Dear Doctor,


I often experience irregular bleeding. last year and earlier this year there were times where I didn't have a period or they were extreamly light. 2-3 months would go by where I didnt have a period or just experienced very light bleeding, brown discharge or spotting. When I was told I had polycystic ovaries early this January I started agnus castus for about 3/4 months as I read this helped to induce periods. Well it worked and after taking agnus casus for about1-2 months I had a period. I was officially diagnosed with PCOS about a month ago now even though I was told I had polycystic ovaries by an ultrasound earlier this january. One of the issue is that I now have periods or bleeding and they are often long and sporadic. So for example, I started a period on 13th March which lasted until 7th April. So for about 3 weeks and 3 days. I then again started bleeding on the 23rd April and am still bleeding currently.. The bleeding is generally light but can at times be a little heavy as well as well as sporadic. Is this normal? The problem is that I dont know if this is a period or just irregular bleeding? And as the bleeding is so spontaneous and sporadic I often dont know when my next period will be. It also sometimes accompanied by brownish discharge though not always.

I wanted to have a progesterone blood test to see if I was ovulating however I know you have this 21 days after you finish your period so Im not sure when to have it because I have irregular bleeding. I did have an internal vaginal ultrasound about a month ago and they didnt find anything wrong apart from the polycystic ovaries. I ve also had a smear test in february 2012 which was also normal so wouldnt explain the irregular bleeding. Also I don't know if having a period necessarily means your ovulating? Could you please offer some insight?

I also experience hot flashes and periods of queasiness and can feel a little breathless at times. I can feel lightheaded and often feel lightheaded and low on energy though there are times when I have good days as well. Ive had a full blood count which was normal except for the hormone tests which obviously explained the PCOS. I don't know if these are symptoms of PCOS?

I had a glucose blood test (non fasting) which was normal.Could it still be possible that I have insulin re
sistance? Diabetes runs in my family. I often feel tired, find it very difficult to lose weight and can at times feel dizzy and shaky if i havent eaten in a while.

If you could get back to me about the above questions I would appreciate it,


thanks,


Sheeta

[drheather]

Dear Doctor,


I often experience irregular bleeding. last year and earlier this year there were times where I didn't have a period or they were extreamly light. 2-3 months would go by where I didnt have a period or just experienced very light bleeding, brown discharge or spotting. When I was told I had polycystic ovaries early this January I started agnus castus for about 3/4 months as I read this helped to induce periods. Well it worked and after taking agnus casus for about1-2 months I had a period. I was officially diagnosed with PCOS about a month ago now even though I was told I had polycystic ovaries by an ultrasound earlier this january. One of the issue is that I now have periods or bleeding and they are often long and sporadic. So for example, I started a period on 13th March which lasted until 7th April. So for about 3 weeks and 3 days. I then again started bleeding on the 23rd April and am still bleeding currently.. The bleeding is generally light but can at times be a little heavy as well as well as sporadic. Is this normal? The problem is that I dont know if this is a period or just irregular bleeding? And as the bleeding is so spontaneous and sporadic I often dont know when my next period will be. It also sometimes accompanied by brownish discharge though not always.

I wanted to have a progesterone blood test to see if I was ovulating however I know you have this 21 days after you finish your period so Im not sure when to have it because I have irregular bleeding. I did have an internal vaginal ultrasound about a month ago and they didnt find anything wrong apart from the polycystic ovaries. I ve also had a smear test in february 2012 which was also normal so wouldnt explain the irregular bleeding. Also I don't know if having a period necessarily means your ovulating? Could you please offer some insight?

I also experience hot flashes and periods of queasiness and can feel a little breathless at times. I can feel lightheaded and often feel lightheaded and low on energy though there are times when I have good days as well. Ive had a full blood count which was normal except for the hormone tests which obviously explained the PCOS. I don't know if these are symptoms of PCOS?

I had a glucose blood test (non fasting) which was normal.Could it still be possible that I have insulin re
sistance? Diabetes runs in my family. I often feel tired, find it very difficult to lose weight and can at times feel dizzy and shaky if i havent eaten in a while.

If you could get back to me about the above questions I would appreciate it,


thanks,


Sheeta

Dear Sheeta,

Thank you for writing in. Unfortunately, there are a few questions here that will not have a straight answer.

First, you can be having more frequent bleeding due to the fact that you had missed quite a few periods. This would cause a thickening of the lining and this will have to thin out, whether by having heavier cycles or by having cycles stimulated with medication. The use of vitex (agnus castus) is likely helping to support progesterone levels and helping with your cycles.

With that being said, it is hard to know if this is thinning of the lining due to it being too thick, or irregular bleeding due to PCOS, or if it is a "normal" cycle. Without some consistency, you will not be sure. But with the diagnosis of PCOS, irregularity (infrequent, absent or more often) is not uncommon.

In addition, you can have anovulatory periods, bleeding each month, without ovulation. PCOS certainly complicates all of these.

The irregular bleeding is not too uncommon but the goal is to try to re-establish a more normal cycle.

Some of the symptoms of light-headedness and nausea can be experienced if your glucose levels or blood sugar is going a little low. If you feel this way, I would eat something small to see if it helps. If it does, it is likely your glucose levels a bit low.

With regard to glucose levels being normal, this does not rule out insulin resistance. Having a fasting insulin level done will help you understand more about any underlying insulin resistance. And based on the symptoms and family history, it would not be surprising to have insulin resistance.

I hope that this helps. Please let me know if I can help further.

[Sheeta2586]

Hi Dr,

I've still been bleeding since around April 23rd 2012. Since Ive started the insulite system on 5th May 2012 the bleeding has actually become heavier. Is this normal? The long bleeding is a nuisance and I don't wish to take medication to stop it. Will it eventually stop once the lining has been thinned out? How do I establish a more normal cycle? How long does it take for my lining to 'thin out' if this is the cause of the long bleeding?

Also what's the best way of finding out if Im ovulating or not each month? Would a progesterone blood test help? I would like to become pregnant but not sure how to. Plus its difficult to try to concieve with my husband when Im just bleeding for so long now.

thanks,

Sheeta

[drheather]

Hi Dr,

I've still been bleeding since around April 23rd 2012. Since Ive started the insulite system on 5th May 2012 the bleeding has actually become heavier. Is this normal? The long bleeding is a nuisance and I don't wish to take medication to stop it. Will it eventually stop once the lining has been thinned out? How do I establish a more normal cycle? How long does it take for my lining to 'thin out' if this is the cause of the long bleeding?

Also what's the best way of finding out if Im ovulating or not each month? Would a progesterone blood test help? I would like to become pregnant but not sure how to. Plus its difficult to try to concieve with my husband when Im just bleeding for so long now.

thanks,

Sheeta

Hi Sheeta,

I am glad that you have started the PCOS System. It is not uncommon to have some changes in your cycle when starting. It sounds like your period started on the April 23 rd before you started the Insulite PCOS System.

Are you having a period each month? When was your last period prior to this one?

If it has been a while, it can take time for the lining to thin and this can vary from woman to woman.

However, using the System will help to balance hormones and this will further help support normalizing periods, establishing a more normal cycle and support ovulation. I would be consistent with the supplements. Also, do not forget how important reducing carbohydrates will be, as well as exercise.

There are a few ways to tell whether or not you may be ovulating. One, is the presence of regular menses. Other signs of ovulation include a shift in the basal body temperature and the presence of fertile cervical fluid (also called "egg-white" mucus or spinnbarkeit). You can read more about how to monitor your fertility signs by reading the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. You may also want to check out the following website regarding the Fertility Awareness Method:"http://www.ovusoft.com/library/primer002.asp"
You can have your progesterone levels tested but this is often low in PCOS, so as you go along with the System, you can see this more supported.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you, so that we can keep an eye on this.