Irregular Periods: Causes, Symptoms & What to Do

Question
I am a 24 year old mother of 2 (7 & 5 year olds). I have not been on birth control for at least a year. Without birth control, my period is always 5-7 days long and always on time. The last few months my period went from 4-3-2 to 1 days each month. Now I haven't had a period at all for about 7 or 8 weeks. I have had sex once since my last period about 5 or 6 weeks ago. I have taken 2 pregnancy tests this past weekend and both were negative. I'm not having any pregnancy symptoms but I didn't with my children either. Assuming I'm not pregnant, what could be going on with my body? My OBGYN called me in some medroxyprogesterone but I am not going to take it until I know for sure I'm not pregnant. I won't have insurance for 2 more months so I can't go to the Dr right now. Do you know what it could be? I appreciate any help.
Thanks-Heather

Answer
Dear Heather,

With the gradual change in your menstrual cycles and the two negative pregnancy tests, I would suspect you are not pregnant. If you will feel better waiting another couple of weeks to see if you just skipped a period before taking the medication to "kick start" it back up, then it shouldn't hurt anything to wait. Take another test before starting the medication at that time and you should have a clear mind about it.

There are many various causes for amenorrhea (absence of periods) - pregnancy being just one. Others can be:
-Hormonal abnormalities, which cause fluctuating levels of the hormones needed to support menstruation
-Emotional or physical stress / Depression
-Rapid weight loss or gain
-Change in diet
-Low body weight
-Obesity
-Frequent or strenuous exercise
-Cysts or tumors in the ovaries
-Thyroid or Pituitary dysfunction
-Certain medications or drug use
-Menopause OR Premature ovarian failure (menopause before age 40)
-Occasionally stopping birth control pills

The general recommendation is that if you miss three consecutive periods and pregnancy is not the reason, you should see your doctor so that a cause can be determined.

I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda