What Causes Irregular Periods?

Posted on Fri, 8 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 8 Aug 2014 Answered on

Mon, 1 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi , I am 44 years old. I had been having my periods somewhat irregularly since last year . It used to come once in 40- 45 days . I had been prescribed Modus 10 mg for 5 days by a gynecologist for 3 months ,which had helped me. However once I stopped that I have not got my periods back, since 3 months. Pregnancy test is negative, I have undergone tubal ligation 6 years back. Ultrasound is normal except a thin endometrium.Breasts are normal. Thyroid hormones, Prolactin are all normal.

What could be the problem?

Answered by Dr. Minal Mohit (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
perimenopausal symptoms?

Detailed Answer:
Dear ma'm, Hi! what appears to me is irregular periods due to early menopause. You had prolonged cycles since last one year, as you said 40-45 days.

Then you were having progesterone induced withdrawal bleeding.

Now as you said thyroid and prolactin is normal, we need to see your LH, FSH and estradiol for confirming the diagnosis. Kindly give fasting blood sample between 8 am-9am.
Regards!

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

Follow up: Dr. Minal Mohit (27 hours later)

Estradiol: 842 pmol/l

FSH : 28.92 mIU/ml

LH: 75mIU/ml

Answered by Dr. Minal Mohit (44 hours later)

Brief Answer:
LH and FSH are both high.

Detailed Answer:
Dear ma'm, Hi! as i was anticipating both LH and FSH are high and in post menopausal range. But surprisingly your estradiol is also very high. kindly confirm it to me or mail the reports as such to me. regards!

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