Irregular Period!?

Question

I got my first period when I was 12 and Im turning 20 this year and Ive probably had 10-12 periods in the past 8 years. I had to go on the pill but Im just one of those mindless people and I always forget and I dont bother. When I was younger I considered it an inconvenience and I didnt even bother taking the pills. My mom is very worried. I didnt see a gyno. However I talked to my doc who said its no big deal and that as long as I take the pill and get my period 3 times an year im good. But, the thing is I can go on forever without my period if I dont take the BC pill. Also, when I take 1 or 2 of them and then stop a week afterwards I get my period. What does that mean? Do I need that extra boost of estrogen to ovulate or something? I dont know whats wrong? I dont think I have PCOS. No one else in my family (including aunts and cousins on my maternal and paternal side) have it. id greatly appreciate it if someone could advice me on this.

Answer 1

Are you under weight? Female athletes stop bleeding due to lack of body fat.

Answer 2

I have PCOS, and one of the side effects is an irregular period. It can sometimes be genetic, sometimes not. I don't have it in my family, though my mother and cousin have both had individual ovarian cysts.

You should check up and see if you have some of the other side effects. Some of the most common are excessive hair growth (most noticably on the face), being overweight, irregular periods, high testosterone levels in the blood and other things.

Whether or not you have this, you definitely need to see a gyno. It could be normal, it could be certain medications you are taking (or not taking and should be), a hormone imbalance, stress, depression, PCOS, or any number of other factors. The only way to find out for sure is to see a gyno and your primary doctor, get some bloodwork done, and see what they say!

Good luck. I hope everything works out for you. :)