Delayed Period After Pregnancy: Causes, Progesterone & What to Expect

Question
Hi I'm 24 year old female who just had a baby in february I breastfed him til april then stopped and started my period. Everything was fine for 3 months my cycle was 32 days on the dot. Then august comes around and nothing now its october and still nothing. For the most part my period was regular before my pregnancy and I have never gone this long without it. I went to the doctor and she wants to give me a progesterone shot next week. Is there any risks invloved with this? Is it going to make me really fertile? What would make me miss my period for so long? I also get migraines often which is new I've never had problems with headaches since this pregnancy and I'm very tired, gained 15 pounds and have joint pain? I don't know if these could all be related to something bigger. But I would like to hear what you know. I live in Casa Grande, AZ btw..

Answer
Hello Natalie from Arizona,

Something certainly has changed to affect your cycles.  That needs to be evaluated.  The proper protocol is to:

1.  check a pregnancy test.
2.  if this is negative, you can be give progesterone pills (not necessarily an injection) called Provera 10 mg for 5 days.  You should start a period within 7 days of the last tablet.
3.  you should have your hormones checked on the 2nd or 3rd day of your period for FSH, LH, TSH, Prolactin and Estradiol.  This is to rule out hormone disorders.
4.  If no period after 7 days from the last Provera tablet, you can take the birth control pill, 1 tablet 3 times per day for 7 days to start, then check the hormones.
5.  You should undergo additional testing as necessary.

Your fertility will be affected only if there is something wrong with your system.  It all depends on what the problem is.

I hope you are seeing a gynecologist at the very least.

Sincerely,

Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com

Monterey, California, U.S.A.

for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on facebook and twitter with me at @montereybayivf