Frequency of periods, extent of PMS?

[Anonymous]

14yo DD had her first period last summer and only a handful of others since; the last three cycles have been about four months apart. Her pediatrician says this is totally normal and that in time a more regular schedule will appear. Trouble is, she has awful PMS (the likes of which I've never experienced), with a range of challenging symptoms: nausea, diarrhea, cold-like symptoms, overall malaise. These don't occur all at once but sequentially, over a period of about 2 weeks. I can't help but think that her extreme PMS has something to do with the current length of her cycles, and am hoping that when she menstruates with greater frequency her symptoms will lessen.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

[Anonymous]

Actually, I don't think it's normal to go more than two months without a period as a teen. When it stretches out that long, there may be other issues. You might want to look into Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome a bit. I'd be inclined to take your daughter to a gynecologist, although I know that can feel very intimidating for such a young teen. I'd want to figure out what was causing all the pain and see if there is something that can be done about it.

Good luck. I hope she can find a solution to the pain. Period pain sucks.

[Anonymous]

It also depends on her weight and her activity level. If she's really petite her periods will be spaced further apart. Same with girls who are really active. My roommate in college only had her cycle 3 times a year but she worked out daily and had cheer practice 6 days a week. At 95 lbs she was also really petite.

But yes cycles are crazy the first year or two.

[Anonymous]

My dd started at 13 and had periods every 3 months for the first year with miserable PMS, nausea, vomiting, etc. It took almost two years before they became regular. She still gets the nausea, but starting Advil every 5 hours as soon as it starts keeps her from vomiting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:14yo DD had her first period last summer and only a handful of others since; the last three cycles have been about four months apart. Her pediatrician says this is totally normal and that in time a more regular schedule will appear. Trouble is, she has awful PMS (the likes of which I've never experienced), with a range of challenging symptoms: nausea, diarrhea, cold-like symptoms, overall malaise. These don't occur all at once but sequentially, over a period of about 2 weeks. I can't help but think that her extreme PMS has something to do with the current length of her cycles, and am hoping that when she menstruates with greater frequency her symptoms will lessen.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

This was me. I have never had regular periods. Generally its @ once every 45-60 days in my 20/30s. My OB says as long as its 6 in 12 mo should be ok. I do have pretty bad PMS and it seems to be worse the longer the time is. I have no other health issues. Perhaps investigate more but i've had multiple OBs. None have ever been concerned as i have no other health symptoms or troubles.

[Anonymous]

This was me as a teen. Nothing turned out to be the cause and eventually my periods regulated but my symptoms were like your DD ( along with a day of vomiting each cycle) until I got on the pill at age 19. Looking back I wish my mom had helped me by forcing a Gyn visit. It would have been intimidating but I feel as if several years of horrible periods could have been avoided.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for all the info and personal experience accounts--really, really helpful.

Her pediatrician now says that if there's no period for 6 months, she should follow up with a gynecologist but I am loathe to put a 14yo through that--especially since with a condition such as PCOS, for example, there isn't a definitive way to diagnose it (it's more of a process of elimination), and blood tests for hormone levels only provide a small window into what levels were that particular day and time. Hopefully for now her periods will continue to be less than six months apart, and that with time things will regulate.

For those who experienced nausea with PMS, how did you manage it? We've tried seasickness bracelets and ginger candy, which seemed to help a little bit. Any other ideas? Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much for all the info and personal experience accounts--really, really helpful.

Her pediatrician now says that if there's no period for 6 months, she should follow up with a gynecologist but I am loathe to put a 14yo through that--especially since with a condition such as PCOS, for example, there isn't a definitive way to diagnose it (it's more of a process of elimination), and blood tests for hormone levels only provide a small window into what levels were that particular day and time. Hopefully for now her periods will continue to be less than six months apart, and that with time things will regulate.

For those who experienced nausea with PMS, how did you manage it? We've tried seasickness bracelets and ginger candy, which seemed to help a little bit. Any other ideas? Thanks again.

Not true about PCOS. It can often be diagnosed via ultrasound (looking for "string of pearls" pattern in ovaries). Alo she can be put on BCP to help regulate things.

[Anonymous]

9:33 again. Being on the pill several reduced pain for me to almost nothing. I do t know if she's too young for that or not.

I've since read 1200mg daily of calcium(diet and/or supplement) significantly reduces PMS symptoms of all sorts.

100mg a day of vitamin B6, which is also recommended for pregnancy nausea (same cause, crazy hormones) can help. Take it on days she feels bad.

[Anonymous]

Boatloads of advil always helped me. But I guess that's no longer a good option.