I’ve heard of heavy bleeding, but what about the opposite – no period?

I am 36yrs old, married with four children. Fifteen years ago I was told I could never become pregnant because I rarely, if at all, ovulated! My dr. said unfortunately this is quite common. Not only do I not regularly ovulate, but my menses is absent aswell. By some miracle I delivered four children but had three m/c. My current ob/gyn is concerned about cancer becoming an issue. I have been on 300mg of Prometrium for the past six months (my youngest child is 12mos). In the past six months I only had a period once. My ob/gyn is also concerned about my PMS symptoms getting stronger the older I was getting. He has prescribed to me (as a last attempt) a progesterone cream with the same dosage. He stated if things do not change, my only option, for safety reasons, is to get a hysterectomy. He wants me to take the creame for six months or the next step will be surgery. I would really like a second opinion. Just how peculiar is my situation?

Dear Labsha-
Amenorrhea,no periods, is not normal.
You mentioned nothing of any hormone studies being performed, yet you are on hormone medication. You might want to get your hormone levels assessed prior to anything drastic, like surgery.
I strongly do not advocate a hysterectomy, as a prophylatic treatment for an uncertain malignancy.
Complications after hysterectomy are extremely common, and many women regret having the procedure. Please do your research very carfully before consenting to that surgery.(read our section on the website regarding hysterectomy complications:depression, hormone imbalance, sexual dysfunction, bladder prolapse etc)
Please get a second opinion. Good Luck

I have a friend who has amenorrhea along with no ovulation, has done all the hormonal testing, and has tried every treatment that she knows to try. She would like to go the natural route if possible, and the one think I keep thinking she should try is progesterone cream…any other suggestions?

Der Minnesota-
This practice is for surgically related problems only-we do not attempt to diagnose or treat nonsurgical conditions. I would recommend that your friend see an endocrinologist for her problem.
Good Luck

Dear Dr. Del Junco:

I have just an opposite question to ask you? Don’t you think labsha is already in menopause? Which brings me to my question. Exactly,how many years is a woman’s body supposed to menustrate? I have been menustrating since the age of eleven and a half; two months before my twelth birthday. I remember this very well because I was in fifth grade getting ready to go to sixth grade.

Sincerely,Ohio

Dear Ohio-
The length of the life cycle is based on many things..there is no set time table. Every women is different. I have heard of patients beginning their periods as early as 10 years old and some women continue to cycle until late 50s.