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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Prolonged Delay In Periods?

Hi,I am really concerned regarding my fertility. I have suffered from eating disorders and over exercise, and although my eating disorders are no longer a problem I still exercise every day for about an hour on average (a mix of cardio and weights). I have not had a period for the past 6 months, this has been since a withdrawal bleed after coming of the progesterone only contraceptive pill. Whilst on the pill (for 2 years) I didn t not menstruate and put this down to being on this type of pill, but in hind sight, I was underweight at this time and the pill was probably masking the amenorrhoea. Although now I am in a healthy weight range (BMI 19.5) , I still have not had a period yet. I am 22 years old, and really concerned about the fact that I have ruined my fertility for good. I am going to cut back on exercise, but I just want to know if I have permanently ruined my chances of having a baby due to all the stress I have put my body through
posted on Fri, 16 Oct 2015
Twitter Wed, 20 Jan 2016 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 20 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Absence of menses for 6 months or more constitutes 'secondary amenorrhea'.
The causes could be: obesity, exercising too much and for long periods of time, very low body fat (less than 15 - 17%), severe anxiety or emotional distress, sudden loss of weight.
Other causes could be due to: Over-active thyroid gland and Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Kindly get the following tests done:
1. Serum levels of FSH, LH and Prolactin (Fertility profile).
2. Serum FreeT3, FreeT4 and TSH (Thyroid profile).
Kindly consult Gynecologist with the report for evaluation of the cause and its management accordingly.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
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What Causes Prolonged Delay In Periods?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. I understand your concern. Absence of menses for 6 months or more constitutes secondary amenorrhea . The causes could be: obesity, exercising too much and for long periods of time, very low body fat (less than 15 - 17%), severe anxiety or emotional distress, sudden loss of weight. Other causes could be due to: Over-active thyroid gland and Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Kindly get the following tests done: 1. Serum levels of FSH, LH and Prolactin (Fertility profile). 2. Serum FreeT3, FreeT4 and TSH (Thyroid profile). Kindly consult Gynecologist with the report for evaluation of the cause and its management accordingly. Hope the information provided would be helpful. All the best.