Gynecology

Irregular period/low concentration & mood

05/10/2008 09:46AM

Question:

My daughter had an initial period at about age 11 and had a light period again about a year later, then did not have a period at all until age 17. Dr. gave her 6 day supply of provera and since then, it has come very sporadically, sometimes 6 months apart and 1 or two months apart with regular flow for about 3-4 days or coming just for 1 day and then disappearing. I encouraged her to start charting it and since July 2007, this is when her mentruation has come: July 26-28, Aug. 11-12, 27-31. Sept.18-20,Oct.3-6,Nov. 10-13, Dec.6-10,27-28, Jan 14-18, Jan. 31-Feb3, Feb 16-19, Mar 7-10, Mar 31-Apr4, Apr 24-27,and it just came May 9. Is this normal. I am especially concerned because my daughter has always been an excellent student with high concentration, memory and organizational skills. I saw a dramatic change in her cognitive functioning and mood when she was home on break in her Freshman year in college. I have seen fuzziness in her thinking, difficulty with planning and follow-through, forgetfulness, and disorganization which is very unlike her. Her executive functioning and cheerfulness were always her strongest points. She has also always done well in school. A Month prior to Christmas, and just before Spring break of 2007, She informed me that she had been experiencing some symptoms of depression, and had difficulty with concentration. As it turned out, she ended up failing all of her courses in Spring semester insisting that she be allowed to compete the semester regardless of my suggesting that she take a medical leave. She is currently living with us and we have her seeing a therapist to help her regain her confidence and hopefully be able to go back to college. However, I cannot help but wonder if there is some kind of hormonal issue going on that is exacerbating her problem. Her doctor said her blood test showed normal hormone levels. Her weight has always been fairly stable and normal for her height. She was physically active, however she did gain about 15-20 lbs. during her final Spring semester. She is now close to her regular weight as result of running and healthful eating and sleeping. She has never been sexually active but is beginning to consider it. Her paternal grandmother had an overactive thyroid. Her paternal Aunt also had a very late beginning to her period that was not very regular. She also went through a deep depression in her early to mid twenties. On my side, my mother developed diabetes as an adult and my nephew was born with diabetes. Could it be that my daughter`s reproductive system was just immature and hormones need more time to balance out or could there be other issues going on with her medically. Her only other medical complications have been a double hernia operation at 18 months. She also had a pilonidal cyst that flared up in Jan of 2005 and then again in Nov 2006.

Answer:

Thank you for visiting NetWellness. This question would be better answered in the Women's Health topic. Please look in that topic for an answer to your question.

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Response by:

Stephanie L M Bricking, MA, MLS
UC Program Facilitator
NetWellness Administration
University of Cincinnati