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What Causes Irregular And Missed Periods?

Posted on Wed, 18 Jun 2014

Question: yes, I have had period problems for 13 years. I'm seriously overweight and had hyperplasia 13 years back, which went away thanks to progesterone. The past year I have skipped a period every so often and now this year I've skipped three months. Although it seems like it's about to come because I feel the same mild cramping I always do that let's me know it's coming, it never comes. I had a blood pregnancy test for the hell of it and it came back at level 7. I'm worried now because I highly doubt at age 43 I'm pregnant. The doctor just keeps telling me findings are nonspecific and to repeat it in a week. I keep asking what else could be the cause of this but he won't answer. What else could cause this rise?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Causes mentioned below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
The pregnancy test at level 7 is non specific and is not indicative of pregnancy. It is the rising titres that are more diagnostic of pregnancy.
The other reasons of delayed periods may be hormonal imbalance, emotional upset, anxiety, stress, or other medical conditions that affect the ovaries, uterus, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland. Hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome or less frequently a pituitary tumor causing high prolactin levels or a hypothalamic disease are other causes that may be the cause here.
Please visit your gynecologist to undergo physical check up and also to undergo relevant investigations required in your case to find out the cause so that treatment can be given accordingly.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (3 hours later)

My follow up questions aren't going through. Again, my question was not what else causes delayed periods. It's why would my hcg level be at 7 and not under 5 as it's supposed to be if I'm not pregnant? What else causes a rise??

Also, is it possible that my lining is thinned out from 13 years of taking provera for two weeks a month?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be chemical pregnancy.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The mild rise in the HCG level could be due to a chemical pregnancy. This causes a delay in the periods also. A hormonal imbalance can also cause such findings.
Taking provera for only 2 weeks in a month is not likely to cause a thinned endometrium. Also the effect decreases within 1-2 months of stopping the hormone.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (15 hours later)

Your not reading my statement correctly. I've been on provera two weeks a month every month for thirteen straight yrs and i never said i stopped them. I notice a difference also. If i take them 10 days is a semi heavy flow and if i take it 14 days i only get spots, so it appears that it did indeed thin it the lining. I don't ovulate anymore. There's no chance of pregnancy

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pregnancy not likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Sorry I misunderstood you. If you are still on provera then chances of pregnancy are not likely. This will be confirmed after a repeat HCG evaluation. The borderline rise of HCG that you are having is not worrisome. This can be due to a mild hormonal disturbance.
Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar