Do I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?!
Question: So, I had my first period about 10 years ago. Ever since, I have NEVER had a regular period. When I was first starting off (first couple of years), my period would usually be 2-3 days late, which I expected because my hormones were probably out of whack. But for the past 7 years after that, my period schedule has gotten worse, meaning my period went from being 2-3 days late, to being a week or two late, and for the past 2 or so years, my period will 30-60 days late! Not only is this a problem, but my periods are accompanied by extremely bad cramps, the kind that cause me to be bed ridden for 3 days, and constant bowel movements. Another problem is that I only get cramps on one side of my body! Where I imagine my right ovary would be, I get a sharp pain that last for about a week before I actually get my period til about 3 days after my period starts. I'm not sexually active and i eat right. Any ideas what's wrong with me? I'm starting to worry.
Answers: So, I had my first period about 10 years ago. Ever since, I have NEVER had a regular period. When I was first starting off (first couple of years), my period would usually be 2-3 days late, which I expected because my hormones were probably out of whack. But for the past 7 years after that, my period schedule has gotten worse, meaning my period went from being 2-3 days late, to being a week or two late, and for the past 2 or so years, my period will 30-60 days late! Not only is this a problem, but my periods are accompanied by extremely bad cramps, the kind that cause me to be bed ridden for 3 days, and constant bowel movements. Another problem is that I only get cramps on one side of my body! Where I imagine my right ovary would be, I get a sharp pain that last for about a week before I actually get my period til about 3 days after my period starts. I'm not sexually active and i eat right. Any ideas what's wrong with me? I'm starting to worry.
PCOS isn't usually particularly painful or accompanied by bowel problems. What you describe sounds more like endometriosis and/or a larger ovarian cyst, perhaps along with PCOS See an OB/GYN for an exam and probably an ultrasound of your pelvis. It's the only way to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment for whatever is going on. Good luck!
I think you could have PCOS, but you need to go see a gyno to make sure. You have all of the symptoms, but I dont think cramps like yours are really that common. There are ways of determining if you have it though, check out these links:
http://www.pcosupport.org/
http://www.soulcysters.com/
Good luck, I have it too, and its a journey.
My heart goes out to you.
I began having periods at about 11. I NEVER had a normal one. There were times when I had no period for months. Then there were the times when I had a period for 5 weeks and/or hemmorraghed and was in the ER with blood going in one arm and Premarin going in the other.
I finally had a hysterectomy at the age of 28 when they decided I had fibroids, endometriosis and "pre cancerous cells" (whatever that is). During the surgery, they removed many ovarian cysts and most of both ovaries.
That was long long ago. Now there are better ways to diagnose and better ways to treat.
I wish you well.