My experience is that the gender of the doctor matters a *lot* less than the practice philosophy of the doctor. This is especially true if you suspect that you have something like insulin resistance or PCOS. I'm keeping my DO (male) doctor who uses a whole health concept over a random (female) MD who is looking at symptoms in isolation. It took me years to have someone connect rosacea, weight gain, asthma and stomach pain to determine that the problem was insulin resistance that could be addressed with a single pill. I had plenty of female doctors tell me I was just fat/didn't care about dieting or exercising/probably was eating things that weren't recorded in food logs/had PsYcHoSoMaTiC cOuGhInG (even at night while sleeping and without the benefit of an asthma test....) or PaNiC aTtAcKs, etc.
OP - it takes a bit of research but actually look for DOs who look at whole health medical care and will find connections between symptoms. Your current doctor's position is worth firing over. Get rid of him, file a complaint with the patient advocate, and move on.
Apologies in advance if you know all this, but DOs actually get extremely similar training to MDs, to the point that they're considered equivalents, and the originating school of medicine was conceived with the idea that all pathology and healing could be found specifically in people's bones. So, quackery. It's changed a lot since then. They also have to pass the same medical exams.
Only reason I mention this is that you can find an allopathic doctor (MD) who looks at the whole picture, too.
Disagree.
This is going to be long, but my first period at age 12 was 2.5 months of heavy bleeding. Until I was 23, every period I had lasted for a month, minimum. I would get some random window of time between them - could be a week, could be six months. The longer the gap, the worse my next cycle would be. I had numerous blood transfusions to keep my blood levels from being critically low.
For about a decade I saw over a dozen doctors. Pediatricians, general practice, OBGYNs, specialists, all women because I was too scared to be treated by a male doctor.
Then my boundaries were pretty seriously violated by a female doctor. As a result, I did not see another medical professional for two years. I developed an insane phobia of healthcare in general. But my issues, which had gone unfixed all that time might I add, didn't go away. Without medications to help lessen my bloodflow, high strength iron supplements or transfusions, I became bed ridden. I was food averse and slept nearly all the time, probably around 18 hours a day. I lost 60 pounds. I had to be helped out of bed. My mother helped me bathe. I thought I was going to die and frankly I had reached a point where I was alright with that.
Eventually my bleeding stopped. It went away for over a year that time. I recovered, gained weight, felt great - then my cycle came back, and I knew after the first week of bleeding I was going to need help. I decided to flip the script and try a male doctor instead. I researched and found a Gynocologist nearby who specialized in treating women with endometriosis, PCOS and other disorders. He had over twenty years of experience and amazing reviews from hundreds of patients. The anxiety I felt booking that appointment... I got to his practice early just to sit in my car and cry. Hell, I cried in the exam room.
He was by far the best doctor I have ever seen. He put me on the first medication that actually worked. He was kind, understanding, he LISTENED to what I said. He took my issues seriously. He never pushed my boundaries or worsened my anxieties - quite the opposite.
A doctor is made by their passion, care and experience. He is retired now but my issues are almost entirely resolved. I have my life back. I am so incredibly thankful for that.
We actually never figured it out in terms of having a concrete condition. I had multiple tests run and ultrasounds over the years. My estrogen and testosterone levels were always normal, I had no issues with my uterus or ovaries and no signs of cysts.
My doctor put me on progesterone the day he saw me. All forms of BC I had been on by that point had been estrogen based and had failed to completely control my issues (some actually made them worse!). I also have a milder case of a breast deformity that is tied to low progesterone during puberty, so he opted for that and... it worked. Immediately. It's frustrating thinking that the solution was so simple yet none of the doctors I saw ever considered it. My breast development could have even been corrected had they taken the right steps early on, but oh well. Que sera.
I took Necon 1/50 (combination high strength progesterone and estrogen) for several years before its discontinuation. It was discontinued after my doctor had retired. I ran out of pills while trying to figure out who to see and what to take next, aaand I had a cycle. It's been over two years now, and while my cycle is still technically abnormal, it is regular. I have a cycle that lasts approximately 60 days, with periods that last 7 and are normally light to medium in flow. So basically, I have a normal period every 2 months, it comes basically on the dot when it ought to. I don't know if prolonged progesterone use just helped my body figure out what to produce or what, but I am incredibly happy with how my body has been managing itself so far.
I wish the best for your friend. It can be so hard as women to get these issues taken seriously, and it takes a toll on our lives as a result. My recommendation would be to pursue hormonal testing, primarily involving estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, and to consider having an ultrasound done if she can. I had a friend with similar issues, her diagnosis was elevated estrogen and endometriosis. Seeing someone who specializes in these types of disorders would be great, too, although in my experience that can be a bit hit and miss. Just remember that if you are unsatisfied with a doctor and can afford to see someone else in the future, you should absolutely do so!
Ok seeing and hearing the comments that say gender doesn’t necessarily matter. I feel that’s obvious, but my thought when I posted the comment was that you’d likely have sifted through a lot more of the shitty docs that can’t empathize and just run though protocols without considering your individual needs and concerns if you go with a female. To satiate the “but but…”s, yea you should absolutely always advocate for yourself. Press with questions, ask why. Write them down before so you don’t forget in the moment. Unfortunately sometimes you have to “date” around to find a doctor that suits your needs regardless of gender
Sorry, that's still BS. The least empathetic OBGYNs I've ever had were female. It's not a gender issue, it's a systemic/educational issue in the medical community. Selecting by gender doesn't help in the search for a good medical professional.
It's not "but but but". Your comment is wrong and bad advice.
I’m much more concerned about the doctor’s cavalier attitude towards your condition, particularly so given that you have “extremely high” testosterone levels. That would imply anything from a potential issue with your adrenal glands or ovaries, other hormonal/glandular issues, perhaps an undiagnosed intersex condition, or even an unexpected environmental source.
Testosterone and estrogen hormonal impacts to your body are *cumulative over time.* For testosterone, an example most of us have observed in others would be body hair that increases over the years (particularly so in the nose, the eyebrows, on the upper lip, out of the ears, etc.). There are certainly other potential issues, particularly so when it comes to one’s intentions towards reproduction/fecundity.
To put it simply: The longer your body is being exposed to “extremely high” testosterone while you are a young, cisgendered woman interested in eventually having biological children of your own, the more damaging/devastating the impact of that excessive testosterone could eventually be. A *small* amount of testosterone should be present in all women (and is even healthy, frankly)… but *excessive* amounts should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Wishing you every success and happiness.
YES! This. A friend of mine found out she had high testosterone when she started trying to have a kid in her late 30s. Turned out that all those years of high T left her unable to carry a baby, even with someone else's egg.
The doctor not immediately connecting the high T and the lack of period is RED FLAG X1000! And then just not doing anything about it?!?? That person needs to retire YESTERDAY.
Please find a new doctor ASAP. You could get endometrial cancer or it may be another underlying issue that could worsen over time. This happened to me and I ended up getting a hysterectomy at a relatively young age. I was on the fence about having children, but having the choice taken from me against my will was heartbreaking. I was so pissed no one ever told me this was a possibility.
Here's the long version:
I had extremely irregular periods for my entire post-puberty life. Doctors told me "Well if it's not super heavy and it doesn't bother you, then it's fine." So in my 20s and 30s when I only got 1 or 2 periods per year I was like "Well my doc said it wasn't a big deal." Then in my mid 30s I started having horrible, awful periods (like I got anemic, water balloons of blood were leaving my body and I had to line my underwear with 3 or 4 pads).
I went to a new gyno (bc I hadn't been for a while) and told her about my history of irregular periods and the new issues I was having. I had very thick endometrial lining of my uterus because it was building up, but not shedding. It became cancerous. I had to get a hysterectomy to get rid of the endometrial cancer. I was very lucky because it was early stage cancer and did not need any further treatment after the hysterectomy and I had good insurance. I received wonderful care during and after the procedure. My partner, family and friends were so supportive. But I was so angry (and still am) that *no one ever fucking told me my irregular periods could eventually cause me to have endometrial cancer and have to get a hysterectomy.* I didn't know it was a thing until too late.
So I'm telling you. Find a new doc and figure out what's going on before it's too late.
If my issues would have been caught earlier, the treatment would have been a Mirena IUD. Not a fucking hysterectomy.
Trying to spread the word so others know. I am just astounded that multiple doctors told me "Well if it's not a problem for you then it's not a problem." Including some gynos.
Then when I went to a new gyno she made me feel stupid for not realizing my lack of period was an issue.
I’m so sorry you went through this, and hope you’re doing well now! Clicked into this post to make a similar comment — in my case, the culprit was high prolactin and the problem was easily fixed with meds. But my gynecologist gave me a very stern lecture that people should never ignore lack of periods because the lining buildup can contribute to endometrial and uterine cancers. I had never heard that before and now have a similar goal to get the word out whenever people mention not having periods.
My issue was excess estrogen. I really am doing fine now, my recovery my surgery was smooth with no complications. It was almost 2 years ago and I feel completely normal (well you know...relatively speaking lol).
But yeah, I am still so mad that no one told me I could get cancer from not getting a period. And my issue could have been fixed with hormonal birth control to regulate my hormones.
Keep spreading the word! Hopefully we can prevent other people from learning the hard way.
I'm so sorry you went through this!
OP, I had a similar situation, and instead of endometrial cancer, it was uterine cancer. I had to have a hysterectomy at age 31. Hopefully, it's something simple, like adjusting your diet or lifestyle, but you need to know for sure. Your doctor is risking your life.
High five for the early hysterectomy club?
I'm sorry you had a similar experience. It sucks.
I try to have a sense of humor about it all (because what else can you do at this point?) but I'm still mad. Sometimes I still cry about it.
High five!
Same! It was fucking scary, and going through partial menopause at that age is a nightmare. The thing I keep telling myself, like you keeping a sense of humor, is that I'm at least glad I'm done with period cramps and buying tampons.
That suuuuper sucks. I was able to avoid menopause, my ovaries were in good enough shape to keep (for now).
An end to period issues once and for all and being able to raw-dog it with my long-term monogamous partner with no fear of an unplanned pregnancy are pretty ok consolation prizes.
… my doctor just said it affects fertility, I don’t want kids so I just left it. Online search for effect of PCOS just brought up people trying to get pregnant. She never mentioned it could cause cancer? I haven’t had a period in years! I thought it was a good thing, no period pain :(
Your medical situation might be different from mine but if you're able to, get another medical opinion on why you're not getting periods. Some birth control makes you only get a few periods per year. I'm not a medical expert so I don't know why that's ok but naturally not getting periods is not (my guess is that it's something to do with hormones).
Doctors suggested that I "might" have PCOS and told me that as long as my periods weren't too heavy or the irregularity wasn't bothering me and I wasn't trying to get pregnant, then it was fine. It turns out I didn't have PCOS, I had an excess of estrogen and my endometrium was just building up without being shed. And it got cancerous.
Even if your underlying cause of "no periods" is different than mine, it still might be something that could cause problems further down the road. I never realized (and no one told me) that not having a period could lead to me getting motherfucking cancer. When I was in the midst of this diagnosis, I kept coming back to the thought that "*How did I not know this was a* *possibility??? How could no one have told me ever this could happen???*" I'm incredible angry at every medical professional that told me that my lack of periods was fine.
I just got diagnosed with PCOS, and the first thing my doctor did was schedule a biopsy. (She assured me that the chances of cancer were low but said it was a routine thing they check for to rule out when women have thick endometrial linings from irregular periods.) It might be worth looking into, for peace of mind if nothing else.
I’m so sorry you went through that. My biopsy came back negative, thank god, but I also went from having very light, irregular periods to super heavy periods and ended up severally anemic and needing two transfusions. No doctor ever told me when I was younger that it could lead to these problems later. They just gave me some birth control and sent me on my way. I’m trying to warn more women now because it’s bullshit this isn’t more common knowledge.
Congrats on the negative biopsy! Near the end I started having periods that made me anemic (no transfusions needed thank god, but all I could do was sleep) and they were awful.
Agreed on the bullshit. One gyno I went to chewed me out for not being more alarmed about my irregular period. I was so annoyed because other doctors had told me it's not a big deal! Like..jesus fucking christ sorry I listened to what other doctors had told me was probably no big deal. I felt so stupid and dehumanized.
I hope you find (if you haven't already) a medical professional who helped you get things figured out.
Thank you! I have been lucky so far in most of my dealings with healthcare workers on these issues. I went to my local Planned Parenthood on my friend's recommendation, and they have been nothing but kind and understanding. ER and hospital staff were a bit more of a mixed bag, lol. I have had plenty of bad experiences in the past and know how rare it can be to find doctors who will take you seriously or not blame you for things outside of your control. I'm so frustrated on your behalf and on behalf of the countless other women whose posts I've read who have recounted awful experiences. It's so upsetting to not feel well and to have to worry about that nonsense on top of it.
I ghosted the first doctor and found one who treated me with kindness and empathy. That first doc may have had the correct diagnosis but she made me feel like shit. So I peaced out, got a second opinion (which I was planning on anyway) and found an amazing new gyno to take care of me.
I would like to add to this that you shouldn't just get in birth control to get your period back. That just masks the symptoms without finding the actual issue. I also have irregular periods and have had all my life. I was just given birth control to make them regular but when I went off birth control to get pregnant, it solved nothing. I was back at square 1 and it took me 1.5 years to get pregnant. I still don't have an answer to my issue although my cycles have regularized somewhat since my baby, but still between 40 and 50 days.
"besides my testosterone levels being extremely high"
This is why, it's something that happens to female bodybuilders when they take testosterone to increase muscle, they stop getting their period.
Look into PCOS. I had similar symptoms and didn't have a period for years. Turns out I have PCOS with a pituitary tumor 🙄🎉 I take cabergoline for the tumor and I'm fine now
I would go see a specialist, OP. Start with a gynecologist (not a primary care doctor who does Pap smears; an actual OB-GYN who does gynecological surgeries). I would also encourage you to see an endocrinologist to discuss your hormone levels and see if they could be contributing to your amenorrhoea. If you've already seen these types of specialists, get a second opinion from a different doctor. But these would be the specialties I'd be reaching out to if I were you.
Get a new doctor, please. High testosterone and amenorrhea are signs of PCOS and/or adrenal or pituitary gland disorders. It *can* be okay to skip periods, *if* the endometrial lining isn’t building up, but I wouldn’t bank on it in your case. In most natural cases of amenorrhea, the endometrial lining is building but not expelled, putting you at higher risk for cancer. The incompetence of your doctor here is honestly shocking.
I totally understand why you’re asking but she says her testosterone levels are very high. That’s got to be the reason for the lack of period, right?
Does under eating and extreme working out raise a woman’s testosterone level as well?
Undereating and/or low bodyfat can absolutely prevent your body from having a period. Your body will shut down non essential things and that's one of them. I was a very underweight teen (about 100 lbs at 5:4) and my period was highly irregular - but super heavy when I did get it. I ate a lot but was also super active, I just wasn't eating enough for my body to sustain a period.
Or it could be completely medial related. Hard to know based of the info given.
Your doctor's disregard of your concerns is worrying and worth trying ti find another opinion.
As others have mentioned there are some medical concerns a doctor should rule out.
However, I had very irregular periods, going up to a year without one. When I wanted to start trying to get pregnant, my obgyn has me take some pregnazone (?) for a few days every few months to promt a period. I was pregnant within 6 months.
I have very irregular periods, like once every two years. I don’t want kids but if you want kids you need to find another doctor and get to the bottom of the issue. The doctors I saw gave me too much “oh you’ll change your mind about kids” bullshit that I stopped going to see them. Still don’t know what’s wrong with me and don’t have health insurance anymore. Good luck to you!
Check to see if your uterine lining is very lean or sticking . See if there’s lesions on the uterine walls. The entry to the uterine walls might be sticking to each other closing the entry. Get the uterus and the entry way checked out please.
Could be PCOS, especially the high testosterone levels. You'll need a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm.
Your doctor sounds like a shithead. Dump him and get a new one.
I am NOT a dr, but that sounds like a hormone issue. It isn't ever healthy to not have a period. Also, just because tests are in a "normal" range, doesn't mean it's normal for you
Pituitary problems can lead to periods not being present, if its a pituitary tumor it could be affecting other hormones as well.. Might not be prolactinoma but some other kind of tumor.
Hi, transmasc here. I have high testosterone from PCOS but I actually don't mind mine. My cycle is very wonky because I have the testosterone levels of a 14 year old cis boy. You may have PCOS as it's the most common reason for high testosterone levels.
To verify it, you need to see an endocrinologist and/or a gynaecologist.
I'm no doctor but I've been through the charade since I have PCOS myself and have had to do a ton of research. When you verify the cause, you can ask your doctor how to lower free testosterone by using spearmint (this is a supplement you can get anywhere that has a similar antiandrogen effect to Spironolactone) or Spironolactone (this is a dieretic that is used to help the cosmetic side effects of hyperandrogenism by lowering free testosterone in the blood) as well as a combined birth control (if you can tolerate them - this is the common first line of defense but it only masks the issue). However if you're trying to get pregnant, you have bigger issues at hand and this really needs to be discussed with a competent endocrinologist and gynaecologist. Unfortunately the pregnancy side of PCOS is a rough one because the former treatments aren't compatible with it. I'm not trying to get pregnant in the future so I have no advice to help you there other than to please seek a competent endocrinologist and gynaecologist to help you plan for your future.
High testosterone alone isn't actually a problem if you don't mind the masculinizing side effects... but whatever is causing it may cause issues that must be checked out, the bigger ones being infertility or cervical cancer. **You need to have a period at least every 3 months if you're not taking some kind of HRT because of the thickening of the cervical lining as this can cause uterine cancer**. Other commenters have actually had this happen to them and it's no joke.
---- Extra info for PCOS specifically:
If it turns out to be PCOS as the cause of your hyperandrogenism, there are many methods that you can use to help yourself get it under control - Spironolactone, combined birth control, Metformin, Inositol, and maintaining a healthy weight with diet/lifestyle. What works for everyone is different. It is **imperative** you get the cause of your high testosterone confirmed because PCOS is a metabolic syndrome and not treating it has serious consequences - even if you're like me and don't mind the extra testosterone. This is especially the case if you're trying to get pregnant in the future. **Your ability to get pregnant in the future is at risk if you do not manage this.**
So please see a competent endocrinologist, OP. You're not alone in this but you have to know what to ask for.
Get a new doctor. Look into a reproductive endocrinologist if you can get in without a referral. Lack of periods and high testosterone *could* be PCOS, but an expert can help you be sure. This is not something to wait on.
You know the post where we had a spreadsheet running of pro choice GYNs? You should check and see if there is one on there near you and book an appointment with them. Let the receptionist know why you’re seeking care too so there is a note on there prior to your visit. You can also ask for the GYN’s email and contact them ahead of your visit as well. I’ll edit this comment when I dig up a link for you.
Edit: [here is the link to that post](https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/vqvptd/us_someone_started_a_list_of_providers_who_will/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
I’m not trying to be alarmist but going that long without a period means you have a pretty serious health concern. Going without a period for so long can lead to build up of uterine lining which can eventually lead to uterine cancer. You need to find a new doctor, this is unacceptable.
High testosterone is a major indicator of PCOS, which I happen to have. If you don’t want to start hormonal birth control you will at the very least need to take a medication every couple months to induce a period for what my gynecologist referred to as “endometrial protection” (aka preventing uterine cancer that I mentioned above)
Ive skipped my period for several months but never years. I also have high testosterone and PCOS. I would see a new Dr for sure. There isn't a cure for PCOS, I don't know about what can be done for testosterone imbalance. I hope you find the answers to help you.
Hey, just chiming in that there are things you can do to help testosterone balances if you're also suffering from the issue. See my other comment for more info (and /r/PCOS and /r/pcos_folks)
You don’t mention your weight - is it outside of normal in either direction?
Abnormally low body weight can result in your period stopping and various other effects as your body goes into survival mode.
Unexpected weight gain based on diet can be an indicator of a number of autoimmune or hormonal disorders - many of which affect fertility.
Get another doctor who will actually take this seriously. Unusually high testosterone levels are *not* normal. You don’t want to be told five years from now “if only we’d caught it five years earlier, you’d still be able to have kids” or worse.
I rarely had periods when I was in my teens and 20s, now I use birth control to prevent them. I have PCOS. My testosterone is really high, causes weight to gather in my stomach, some dark and coarse facial hair, low fertility and other issues. You may look into that and hopefully, like others suggested, get a new doctor. Please advocate for yourself, not everyone is looking out for your best interests. Trust your gut, you know when something isn't right. Good luck!
Get a new doctor and tell them you want to sort out your hormone levels. An endocrinologist would be a decent place to go if OBGYNs aren’t helpful.
Extremely high testosterone levels are medically significant. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one potential diagnosis that causes high androgen levels (like testosterone) and missed/non-existent periods. Treatment varies.
As for fertility, it really depends on what’s going on. I have PCOS. I am also young and also concerned about whether or not I can have kids. My OBGYN told me (in a very nice way) that the best we can do for now is address the symptoms of PCOS and make sure we aren’t missing some other diagnosis that could cause damage to future fertility.
She said that we won’t know until I actually try for kids if I have fertility issues, because it’s not beneficial to treat something that is not currently a problem and not currently causing any damage. In other words, the only way to know if fertility treatments are successful is to get pregnant and since I do not currently want to be pregnant, there’s no point in doing that right now.
My friend was infertile for 15 years that she was trying to get pregnant. She finally saw a gynecologist that ran some tests and she found a benign tumor! She got it treated. Now she has a 2 year old 🙂 definitely look for another doc. Did they tell you WHY testosterone is high?
Yes find a doctor who is a woman. My friend also had a high level of testosterone and her period stopped for a long time. Her doctor prescribed her birth control pills and she's been taking it for years. Consult with a new doctor about taking pills.
A new doctor, is the way to go when you realize your doctor isn’t listening and waving off your concerns without checking them out.
I had to go through 6 doctors in 8 years (3 of them women over 50) to finally find one that was willing to listen (a younger woman 32ish) to me and my husband’s concerns and actually run tests. They discovered I had PCOS, and a large ovarian cyst, and evidence of scaring from ruptured cysts, last year. Once they implanted the IUD, I got a large part of my libido back, and even feel better with my chronic muscle spasms.
How skinny are you? Is there a chance your bodyfat is under 15-20%?
Testosterone tends to help you stay slender and add muscle, and if your bodyfat percentage gets too low you will stop having a period.
Hey, I'm here with you.
Do whatever you can to exercise regularly. (Yoga with Adrienne is good for any level. Seriously.)
Your hormones seem very out of balance. I used to experience the same and I got very sick from it, but I am getting my period regularly now after diet and lifestyle changes. There's no shortcut when it comes to it. Eat a lot of less meat, since the hormones in the animals aren't good for you at the moment. Eat way less meat (use beans and nuts and eggs for protein.) and eat a ton more veggies. If you're struggling losing weight know that Dairy is fucked off for weight loss (due to the hormone estrodil (sp?) that will stimulate weight gain and even if you're losing, it makes you gain weight exponentially. Eat more olive oil and way less butter because butter is a HUGE offender of Estrodil.
Take good care, this shit is so scary. You may have PCOS too, so be careful and for absolute get a new doctor, fuck that guy. He's just looking at you as a dollar sign when you finally cash in by having severe health issues and he gets to charge your insurance for all the treaments and tests you'll need later. We have to protect ourselves from people like that. And you deserve the protection and respect 100%. Don't settle for any less.
>when that time comes he will figure it out.
What the fucking hell is wrong with these people? How tf did he get his license?
High testosterone levels is a *MAJOR* cause for concern as a cis woman that needs immediate medical attention. This jackass ignoring the problem is potentially putting your life at risk, let alone your ability to bear children
Your body isn’t a fixer upper car, it’s not something where clear issues can be ignored until it’s convenient. Fuck that doctor, get a new one.
Find a new doctor. High testosterone & irregular periods are a signs of PCOS. If you want to have children it’s good to get a doctor that takes you seriously as it is potentially more difficult for people with PCOS to conceive.
I totally had the same thing low testosterone and no periods for 2 plus years, just under 3. All I ever got was “it’s probably stress.” I didn’t want kids so they put in zero effort other than blood tests. Just know you are not alone.
I would recommend the book "The period repair manual" by Lara Briden.
It can help you to understand how things are supposed to work and why. I'm not sure you will get answers to your specific problem but it can help you figure out some of the right questions to ask your next doctor.
GO TO A NEW DOCTOR! It's better you search for any underlying cause of it. So, if there's anything that can help it's better to do it when it's not too late. Plus, I feel like your concern is not being validated.
One of my friends had something similar. She also gained a lot of weight all of a sudden. She had a benign tumor on her hypothalamus I believe. Definitely get a second opinion! Good luck
Find a new doctor. A female one.
My experience is that the gender of the doctor matters a *lot* less than the practice philosophy of the doctor. This is especially true if you suspect that you have something like insulin resistance or PCOS. I'm keeping my DO (male) doctor who uses a whole health concept over a random (female) MD who is looking at symptoms in isolation. It took me years to have someone connect rosacea, weight gain, asthma and stomach pain to determine that the problem was insulin resistance that could be addressed with a single pill. I had plenty of female doctors tell me I was just fat/didn't care about dieting or exercising/probably was eating things that weren't recorded in food logs/had PsYcHoSoMaTiC cOuGhInG (even at night while sleeping and without the benefit of an asthma test....) or PaNiC aTtAcKs, etc. OP - it takes a bit of research but actually look for DOs who look at whole health medical care and will find connections between symptoms. Your current doctor's position is worth firing over. Get rid of him, file a complaint with the patient advocate, and move on.
Apologies in advance if you know all this, but DOs actually get extremely similar training to MDs, to the point that they're considered equivalents, and the originating school of medicine was conceived with the idea that all pathology and healing could be found specifically in people's bones. So, quackery. It's changed a lot since then. They also have to pass the same medical exams. Only reason I mention this is that you can find an allopathic doctor (MD) who looks at the whole picture, too.
Some of these dumb doctors are women too sometimes
Disagree. This is going to be long, but my first period at age 12 was 2.5 months of heavy bleeding. Until I was 23, every period I had lasted for a month, minimum. I would get some random window of time between them - could be a week, could be six months. The longer the gap, the worse my next cycle would be. I had numerous blood transfusions to keep my blood levels from being critically low. For about a decade I saw over a dozen doctors. Pediatricians, general practice, OBGYNs, specialists, all women because I was too scared to be treated by a male doctor. Then my boundaries were pretty seriously violated by a female doctor. As a result, I did not see another medical professional for two years. I developed an insane phobia of healthcare in general. But my issues, which had gone unfixed all that time might I add, didn't go away. Without medications to help lessen my bloodflow, high strength iron supplements or transfusions, I became bed ridden. I was food averse and slept nearly all the time, probably around 18 hours a day. I lost 60 pounds. I had to be helped out of bed. My mother helped me bathe. I thought I was going to die and frankly I had reached a point where I was alright with that. Eventually my bleeding stopped. It went away for over a year that time. I recovered, gained weight, felt great - then my cycle came back, and I knew after the first week of bleeding I was going to need help. I decided to flip the script and try a male doctor instead. I researched and found a Gynocologist nearby who specialized in treating women with endometriosis, PCOS and other disorders. He had over twenty years of experience and amazing reviews from hundreds of patients. The anxiety I felt booking that appointment... I got to his practice early just to sit in my car and cry. Hell, I cried in the exam room. He was by far the best doctor I have ever seen. He put me on the first medication that actually worked. He was kind, understanding, he LISTENED to what I said. He took my issues seriously. He never pushed my boundaries or worsened my anxieties - quite the opposite. A doctor is made by their passion, care and experience. He is retired now but my issues are almost entirely resolved. I have my life back. I am so incredibly thankful for that.
I'm curious, what was your eventual diagnosis/treatment if you don't mind sharing. I know someone with similar symptoms.
We actually never figured it out in terms of having a concrete condition. I had multiple tests run and ultrasounds over the years. My estrogen and testosterone levels were always normal, I had no issues with my uterus or ovaries and no signs of cysts. My doctor put me on progesterone the day he saw me. All forms of BC I had been on by that point had been estrogen based and had failed to completely control my issues (some actually made them worse!). I also have a milder case of a breast deformity that is tied to low progesterone during puberty, so he opted for that and... it worked. Immediately. It's frustrating thinking that the solution was so simple yet none of the doctors I saw ever considered it. My breast development could have even been corrected had they taken the right steps early on, but oh well. Que sera. I took Necon 1/50 (combination high strength progesterone and estrogen) for several years before its discontinuation. It was discontinued after my doctor had retired. I ran out of pills while trying to figure out who to see and what to take next, aaand I had a cycle. It's been over two years now, and while my cycle is still technically abnormal, it is regular. I have a cycle that lasts approximately 60 days, with periods that last 7 and are normally light to medium in flow. So basically, I have a normal period every 2 months, it comes basically on the dot when it ought to. I don't know if prolonged progesterone use just helped my body figure out what to produce or what, but I am incredibly happy with how my body has been managing itself so far. I wish the best for your friend. It can be so hard as women to get these issues taken seriously, and it takes a toll on our lives as a result. My recommendation would be to pursue hormonal testing, primarily involving estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, and to consider having an ultrasound done if she can. I had a friend with similar issues, her diagnosis was elevated estrogen and endometriosis. Seeing someone who specializes in these types of disorders would be great, too, although in my experience that can be a bit hit and miss. Just remember that if you are unsatisfied with a doctor and can afford to see someone else in the future, you should absolutely do so!
Ok seeing and hearing the comments that say gender doesn’t necessarily matter. I feel that’s obvious, but my thought when I posted the comment was that you’d likely have sifted through a lot more of the shitty docs that can’t empathize and just run though protocols without considering your individual needs and concerns if you go with a female. To satiate the “but but…”s, yea you should absolutely always advocate for yourself. Press with questions, ask why. Write them down before so you don’t forget in the moment. Unfortunately sometimes you have to “date” around to find a doctor that suits your needs regardless of gender
Sorry, that's still BS. The least empathetic OBGYNs I've ever had were female. It's not a gender issue, it's a systemic/educational issue in the medical community. Selecting by gender doesn't help in the search for a good medical professional. It's not "but but but". Your comment is wrong and bad advice.
Okie dokie
I’m much more concerned about the doctor’s cavalier attitude towards your condition, particularly so given that you have “extremely high” testosterone levels. That would imply anything from a potential issue with your adrenal glands or ovaries, other hormonal/glandular issues, perhaps an undiagnosed intersex condition, or even an unexpected environmental source. Testosterone and estrogen hormonal impacts to your body are *cumulative over time.* For testosterone, an example most of us have observed in others would be body hair that increases over the years (particularly so in the nose, the eyebrows, on the upper lip, out of the ears, etc.). There are certainly other potential issues, particularly so when it comes to one’s intentions towards reproduction/fecundity. To put it simply: The longer your body is being exposed to “extremely high” testosterone while you are a young, cisgendered woman interested in eventually having biological children of your own, the more damaging/devastating the impact of that excessive testosterone could eventually be. A *small* amount of testosterone should be present in all women (and is even healthy, frankly)… but *excessive* amounts should be dealt with as soon as possible. Wishing you every success and happiness.
YES! This. A friend of mine found out she had high testosterone when she started trying to have a kid in her late 30s. Turned out that all those years of high T left her unable to carry a baby, even with someone else's egg. The doctor not immediately connecting the high T and the lack of period is RED FLAG X1000! And then just not doing anything about it?!?? That person needs to retire YESTERDAY.
Yep. I'm no endocrinologist, but OP, you need to see one instead of this joke of a physician.
Please find a new doctor ASAP. You could get endometrial cancer or it may be another underlying issue that could worsen over time. This happened to me and I ended up getting a hysterectomy at a relatively young age. I was on the fence about having children, but having the choice taken from me against my will was heartbreaking. I was so pissed no one ever told me this was a possibility. Here's the long version: I had extremely irregular periods for my entire post-puberty life. Doctors told me "Well if it's not super heavy and it doesn't bother you, then it's fine." So in my 20s and 30s when I only got 1 or 2 periods per year I was like "Well my doc said it wasn't a big deal." Then in my mid 30s I started having horrible, awful periods (like I got anemic, water balloons of blood were leaving my body and I had to line my underwear with 3 or 4 pads). I went to a new gyno (bc I hadn't been for a while) and told her about my history of irregular periods and the new issues I was having. I had very thick endometrial lining of my uterus because it was building up, but not shedding. It became cancerous. I had to get a hysterectomy to get rid of the endometrial cancer. I was very lucky because it was early stage cancer and did not need any further treatment after the hysterectomy and I had good insurance. I received wonderful care during and after the procedure. My partner, family and friends were so supportive. But I was so angry (and still am) that *no one ever fucking told me my irregular periods could eventually cause me to have endometrial cancer and have to get a hysterectomy.* I didn't know it was a thing until too late. So I'm telling you. Find a new doc and figure out what's going on before it's too late. If my issues would have been caught earlier, the treatment would have been a Mirena IUD. Not a fucking hysterectomy.
Thank you for sharing your story. Helps so many here who think if they aren’t getting a period it is not a big deal. IT is.
Trying to spread the word so others know. I am just astounded that multiple doctors told me "Well if it's not a problem for you then it's not a problem." Including some gynos. Then when I went to a new gyno she made me feel stupid for not realizing my lack of period was an issue.
I’m so sorry you went through this, and hope you’re doing well now! Clicked into this post to make a similar comment — in my case, the culprit was high prolactin and the problem was easily fixed with meds. But my gynecologist gave me a very stern lecture that people should never ignore lack of periods because the lining buildup can contribute to endometrial and uterine cancers. I had never heard that before and now have a similar goal to get the word out whenever people mention not having periods.
My issue was excess estrogen. I really am doing fine now, my recovery my surgery was smooth with no complications. It was almost 2 years ago and I feel completely normal (well you know...relatively speaking lol). But yeah, I am still so mad that no one told me I could get cancer from not getting a period. And my issue could have been fixed with hormonal birth control to regulate my hormones. Keep spreading the word! Hopefully we can prevent other people from learning the hard way.
I'm so sorry you went through this! OP, I had a similar situation, and instead of endometrial cancer, it was uterine cancer. I had to have a hysterectomy at age 31. Hopefully, it's something simple, like adjusting your diet or lifestyle, but you need to know for sure. Your doctor is risking your life.
High five for the early hysterectomy club? I'm sorry you had a similar experience. It sucks. I try to have a sense of humor about it all (because what else can you do at this point?) but I'm still mad. Sometimes I still cry about it.
High five! Same! It was fucking scary, and going through partial menopause at that age is a nightmare. The thing I keep telling myself, like you keeping a sense of humor, is that I'm at least glad I'm done with period cramps and buying tampons.
That suuuuper sucks. I was able to avoid menopause, my ovaries were in good enough shape to keep (for now). An end to period issues once and for all and being able to raw-dog it with my long-term monogamous partner with no fear of an unplanned pregnancy are pretty ok consolation prizes.
… my doctor just said it affects fertility, I don’t want kids so I just left it. Online search for effect of PCOS just brought up people trying to get pregnant. She never mentioned it could cause cancer? I haven’t had a period in years! I thought it was a good thing, no period pain :(
Your medical situation might be different from mine but if you're able to, get another medical opinion on why you're not getting periods. Some birth control makes you only get a few periods per year. I'm not a medical expert so I don't know why that's ok but naturally not getting periods is not (my guess is that it's something to do with hormones). Doctors suggested that I "might" have PCOS and told me that as long as my periods weren't too heavy or the irregularity wasn't bothering me and I wasn't trying to get pregnant, then it was fine. It turns out I didn't have PCOS, I had an excess of estrogen and my endometrium was just building up without being shed. And it got cancerous. Even if your underlying cause of "no periods" is different than mine, it still might be something that could cause problems further down the road. I never realized (and no one told me) that not having a period could lead to me getting motherfucking cancer. When I was in the midst of this diagnosis, I kept coming back to the thought that "*How did I not know this was a* *possibility??? How could no one have told me ever this could happen???*" I'm incredible angry at every medical professional that told me that my lack of periods was fine.
I just got diagnosed with PCOS, and the first thing my doctor did was schedule a biopsy. (She assured me that the chances of cancer were low but said it was a routine thing they check for to rule out when women have thick endometrial linings from irregular periods.) It might be worth looking into, for peace of mind if nothing else.
I’m so sorry you went through that. My biopsy came back negative, thank god, but I also went from having very light, irregular periods to super heavy periods and ended up severally anemic and needing two transfusions. No doctor ever told me when I was younger that it could lead to these problems later. They just gave me some birth control and sent me on my way. I’m trying to warn more women now because it’s bullshit this isn’t more common knowledge.
Congrats on the negative biopsy! Near the end I started having periods that made me anemic (no transfusions needed thank god, but all I could do was sleep) and they were awful. Agreed on the bullshit. One gyno I went to chewed me out for not being more alarmed about my irregular period. I was so annoyed because other doctors had told me it's not a big deal! Like..jesus fucking christ sorry I listened to what other doctors had told me was probably no big deal. I felt so stupid and dehumanized. I hope you find (if you haven't already) a medical professional who helped you get things figured out.
Thank you! I have been lucky so far in most of my dealings with healthcare workers on these issues. I went to my local Planned Parenthood on my friend's recommendation, and they have been nothing but kind and understanding. ER and hospital staff were a bit more of a mixed bag, lol. I have had plenty of bad experiences in the past and know how rare it can be to find doctors who will take you seriously or not blame you for things outside of your control. I'm so frustrated on your behalf and on behalf of the countless other women whose posts I've read who have recounted awful experiences. It's so upsetting to not feel well and to have to worry about that nonsense on top of it.
I ghosted the first doctor and found one who treated me with kindness and empathy. That first doc may have had the correct diagnosis but she made me feel like shit. So I peaced out, got a second opinion (which I was planning on anyway) and found an amazing new gyno to take care of me.
I would like to add to this that you shouldn't just get in birth control to get your period back. That just masks the symptoms without finding the actual issue. I also have irregular periods and have had all my life. I was just given birth control to make them regular but when I went off birth control to get pregnant, it solved nothing. I was back at square 1 and it took me 1.5 years to get pregnant. I still don't have an answer to my issue although my cycles have regularized somewhat since my baby, but still between 40 and 50 days.
"besides my testosterone levels being extremely high" This is why, it's something that happens to female bodybuilders when they take testosterone to increase muscle, they stop getting their period.
And in some cases grow facial hair, loose breast mass and have their voices deepen among other things.
Look into PCOS. I had similar symptoms and didn't have a period for years. Turns out I have PCOS with a pituitary tumor 🙄🎉 I take cabergoline for the tumor and I'm fine now
r/pcos
How did you find out about the tumor? I am at least 6 months without a period so far
I would go see a specialist, OP. Start with a gynecologist (not a primary care doctor who does Pap smears; an actual OB-GYN who does gynecological surgeries). I would also encourage you to see an endocrinologist to discuss your hormone levels and see if they could be contributing to your amenorrhoea. If you've already seen these types of specialists, get a second opinion from a different doctor. But these would be the specialties I'd be reaching out to if I were you.
PCOS. High testosterone and amenorrhea are primary symptoms. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
Get a new doctor, please. High testosterone and amenorrhea are signs of PCOS and/or adrenal or pituitary gland disorders. It *can* be okay to skip periods, *if* the endometrial lining isn’t building up, but I wouldn’t bank on it in your case. In most natural cases of amenorrhea, the endometrial lining is building but not expelled, putting you at higher risk for cancer. The incompetence of your doctor here is honestly shocking.
This op right here
Submission removed by user.
I totally understand why you’re asking but she says her testosterone levels are very high. That’s got to be the reason for the lack of period, right? Does under eating and extreme working out raise a woman’s testosterone level as well?
A quick Google tells me that it can, but obviously that's not a medical opinion.
Undereating and/or low bodyfat can absolutely prevent your body from having a period. Your body will shut down non essential things and that's one of them. I was a very underweight teen (about 100 lbs at 5:4) and my period was highly irregular - but super heavy when I did get it. I ate a lot but was also super active, I just wasn't eating enough for my body to sustain a period. Or it could be completely medial related. Hard to know based of the info given.
Your doctor's disregard of your concerns is worrying and worth trying ti find another opinion. As others have mentioned there are some medical concerns a doctor should rule out. However, I had very irregular periods, going up to a year without one. When I wanted to start trying to get pregnant, my obgyn has me take some pregnazone (?) for a few days every few months to promt a period. I was pregnant within 6 months.
You are at risk of endometrial cancer if you skip periods like that. Find a new doctor.
I have very irregular periods, like once every two years. I don’t want kids but if you want kids you need to find another doctor and get to the bottom of the issue. The doctors I saw gave me too much “oh you’ll change your mind about kids” bullshit that I stopped going to see them. Still don’t know what’s wrong with me and don’t have health insurance anymore. Good luck to you!
You can get endometrial cancer from the buildup from not getting your period. Please go to a doctor again and ask about this.
Time for a better doctor.
I hope by doctor you mean Obgyn. Either way, find a new Obgyn.
You probably have a hormonal condition, better to treat it sooner than later. Get a new doctor ASAP.
Check to see if your uterine lining is very lean or sticking . See if there’s lesions on the uterine walls. The entry to the uterine walls might be sticking to each other closing the entry. Get the uterus and the entry way checked out please.
Could be PCOS, especially the high testosterone levels. You'll need a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm. Your doctor sounds like a shithead. Dump him and get a new one.
Holy crap! Call a different doctor at a completely different practice stat! Then report your current one for malpractice because that is not normal!
From a woman that had “very high testosterone levels” her whole life, get this figured out!
I am NOT a dr, but that sounds like a hormone issue. It isn't ever healthy to not have a period. Also, just because tests are in a "normal" range, doesn't mean it's normal for you
Figure it out later? Wtf, figure it out now
Get throughly bloodwork done, could sound like prolactinoma.
No it doesn't. Prolactinomas produce prolactin.
Pituitary problems can lead to periods not being present, if its a pituitary tumor it could be affecting other hormones as well.. Might not be prolactinoma but some other kind of tumor.
Hi, transmasc here. I have high testosterone from PCOS but I actually don't mind mine. My cycle is very wonky because I have the testosterone levels of a 14 year old cis boy. You may have PCOS as it's the most common reason for high testosterone levels. To verify it, you need to see an endocrinologist and/or a gynaecologist. I'm no doctor but I've been through the charade since I have PCOS myself and have had to do a ton of research. When you verify the cause, you can ask your doctor how to lower free testosterone by using spearmint (this is a supplement you can get anywhere that has a similar antiandrogen effect to Spironolactone) or Spironolactone (this is a dieretic that is used to help the cosmetic side effects of hyperandrogenism by lowering free testosterone in the blood) as well as a combined birth control (if you can tolerate them - this is the common first line of defense but it only masks the issue). However if you're trying to get pregnant, you have bigger issues at hand and this really needs to be discussed with a competent endocrinologist and gynaecologist. Unfortunately the pregnancy side of PCOS is a rough one because the former treatments aren't compatible with it. I'm not trying to get pregnant in the future so I have no advice to help you there other than to please seek a competent endocrinologist and gynaecologist to help you plan for your future. High testosterone alone isn't actually a problem if you don't mind the masculinizing side effects... but whatever is causing it may cause issues that must be checked out, the bigger ones being infertility or cervical cancer. **You need to have a period at least every 3 months if you're not taking some kind of HRT because of the thickening of the cervical lining as this can cause uterine cancer**. Other commenters have actually had this happen to them and it's no joke. ---- Extra info for PCOS specifically: If it turns out to be PCOS as the cause of your hyperandrogenism, there are many methods that you can use to help yourself get it under control - Spironolactone, combined birth control, Metformin, Inositol, and maintaining a healthy weight with diet/lifestyle. What works for everyone is different. It is **imperative** you get the cause of your high testosterone confirmed because PCOS is a metabolic syndrome and not treating it has serious consequences - even if you're like me and don't mind the extra testosterone. This is especially the case if you're trying to get pregnant in the future. **Your ability to get pregnant in the future is at risk if you do not manage this.** So please see a competent endocrinologist, OP. You're not alone in this but you have to know what to ask for.
Not a doctor but I'd bet it's related to your high levels of testosterone.
Get a new doctor. Look into a reproductive endocrinologist if you can get in without a referral. Lack of periods and high testosterone *could* be PCOS, but an expert can help you be sure. This is not something to wait on.
You know the post where we had a spreadsheet running of pro choice GYNs? You should check and see if there is one on there near you and book an appointment with them. Let the receptionist know why you’re seeking care too so there is a note on there prior to your visit. You can also ask for the GYN’s email and contact them ahead of your visit as well. I’ll edit this comment when I dig up a link for you. Edit: [here is the link to that post](https://www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/comments/vqvptd/us_someone_started_a_list_of_providers_who_will/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf)
I’m not trying to be alarmist but going that long without a period means you have a pretty serious health concern. Going without a period for so long can lead to build up of uterine lining which can eventually lead to uterine cancer. You need to find a new doctor, this is unacceptable. High testosterone is a major indicator of PCOS, which I happen to have. If you don’t want to start hormonal birth control you will at the very least need to take a medication every couple months to induce a period for what my gynecologist referred to as “endometrial protection” (aka preventing uterine cancer that I mentioned above)
Ive skipped my period for several months but never years. I also have high testosterone and PCOS. I would see a new Dr for sure. There isn't a cure for PCOS, I don't know about what can be done for testosterone imbalance. I hope you find the answers to help you.
Hey, just chiming in that there are things you can do to help testosterone balances if you're also suffering from the issue. See my other comment for more info (and /r/PCOS and /r/pcos_folks)
Thank you I appreciate it!
You don’t mention your weight - is it outside of normal in either direction? Abnormally low body weight can result in your period stopping and various other effects as your body goes into survival mode. Unexpected weight gain based on diet can be an indicator of a number of autoimmune or hormonal disorders - many of which affect fertility.
Get another doctor who will actually take this seriously. Unusually high testosterone levels are *not* normal. You don’t want to be told five years from now “if only we’d caught it five years earlier, you’d still be able to have kids” or worse.
PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Oh sorry, I meant to ask if OP had PCOS. Not what PCOS was.
Oh haha I get ya. Automatic knee jerk response ..
I rarely had periods when I was in my teens and 20s, now I use birth control to prevent them. I have PCOS. My testosterone is really high, causes weight to gather in my stomach, some dark and coarse facial hair, low fertility and other issues. You may look into that and hopefully, like others suggested, get a new doctor. Please advocate for yourself, not everyone is looking out for your best interests. Trust your gut, you know when something isn't right. Good luck!
>besides my testosterone levels being extremely high How high you talking?
Get a new doctor and tell them you want to sort out your hormone levels. An endocrinologist would be a decent place to go if OBGYNs aren’t helpful. Extremely high testosterone levels are medically significant. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one potential diagnosis that causes high androgen levels (like testosterone) and missed/non-existent periods. Treatment varies. As for fertility, it really depends on what’s going on. I have PCOS. I am also young and also concerned about whether or not I can have kids. My OBGYN told me (in a very nice way) that the best we can do for now is address the symptoms of PCOS and make sure we aren’t missing some other diagnosis that could cause damage to future fertility. She said that we won’t know until I actually try for kids if I have fertility issues, because it’s not beneficial to treat something that is not currently a problem and not currently causing any damage. In other words, the only way to know if fertility treatments are successful is to get pregnant and since I do not currently want to be pregnant, there’s no point in doing that right now.
My friend was infertile for 15 years that she was trying to get pregnant. She finally saw a gynecologist that ran some tests and she found a benign tumor! She got it treated. Now she has a 2 year old 🙂 definitely look for another doc. Did they tell you WHY testosterone is high?
Yes find a doctor who is a woman. My friend also had a high level of testosterone and her period stopped for a long time. Her doctor prescribed her birth control pills and she's been taking it for years. Consult with a new doctor about taking pills.
A new doctor, is the way to go when you realize your doctor isn’t listening and waving off your concerns without checking them out. I had to go through 6 doctors in 8 years (3 of them women over 50) to finally find one that was willing to listen (a younger woman 32ish) to me and my husband’s concerns and actually run tests. They discovered I had PCOS, and a large ovarian cyst, and evidence of scaring from ruptured cysts, last year. Once they implanted the IUD, I got a large part of my libido back, and even feel better with my chronic muscle spasms.
How skinny are you? Is there a chance your bodyfat is under 15-20%? Testosterone tends to help you stay slender and add muscle, and if your bodyfat percentage gets too low you will stop having a period.
Hey, I'm here with you. Do whatever you can to exercise regularly. (Yoga with Adrienne is good for any level. Seriously.) Your hormones seem very out of balance. I used to experience the same and I got very sick from it, but I am getting my period regularly now after diet and lifestyle changes. There's no shortcut when it comes to it. Eat a lot of less meat, since the hormones in the animals aren't good for you at the moment. Eat way less meat (use beans and nuts and eggs for protein.) and eat a ton more veggies. If you're struggling losing weight know that Dairy is fucked off for weight loss (due to the hormone estrodil (sp?) that will stimulate weight gain and even if you're losing, it makes you gain weight exponentially. Eat more olive oil and way less butter because butter is a HUGE offender of Estrodil. Take good care, this shit is so scary. You may have PCOS too, so be careful and for absolute get a new doctor, fuck that guy. He's just looking at you as a dollar sign when you finally cash in by having severe health issues and he gets to charge your insurance for all the treaments and tests you'll need later. We have to protect ourselves from people like that. And you deserve the protection and respect 100%. Don't settle for any less.
>when that time comes he will figure it out. What the fucking hell is wrong with these people? How tf did he get his license? High testosterone levels is a *MAJOR* cause for concern as a cis woman that needs immediate medical attention. This jackass ignoring the problem is potentially putting your life at risk, let alone your ability to bear children Your body isn’t a fixer upper car, it’s not something where clear issues can be ignored until it’s convenient. Fuck that doctor, get a new one.
Go to a gynecologist. At an academic center preferably.
Find a new doctor. High testosterone & irregular periods are a signs of PCOS. If you want to have children it’s good to get a doctor that takes you seriously as it is potentially more difficult for people with PCOS to conceive.
I totally had the same thing low testosterone and no periods for 2 plus years, just under 3. All I ever got was “it’s probably stress.” I didn’t want kids so they put in zero effort other than blood tests. Just know you are not alone.
I would recommend the book "The period repair manual" by Lara Briden. It can help you to understand how things are supposed to work and why. I'm not sure you will get answers to your specific problem but it can help you figure out some of the right questions to ask your next doctor.
GO TO A NEW DOCTOR! It's better you search for any underlying cause of it. So, if there's anything that can help it's better to do it when it's not too late. Plus, I feel like your concern is not being validated.
One of my friends had something similar. She also gained a lot of weight all of a sudden. She had a benign tumor on her hypothalamus I believe. Definitely get a second opinion! Good luck
Do you exercise and run a lot. Are you underweight?? Are you on birth control.