Is there an ob-gyn in the house?

[hibisanpo]

So after going raw I decided to stop taking birth control. I had been on it for about three years, but since I don't have a partner and had no real use for it anymore, just stopped. So... since September I have not had my "ladies holiday". I'm 27, have no health problems, I exercise, my BMI is 20.2 and I have been really eating well and enough food. I don't think I have any nutritional deficiencies, I feel great. I keep thinking this will run it's course... but i am starting to wonder. I do not want to go to the doctor, as I have no insurance... and it would be silly to pay $400 to have a doctor either tell me to wait it out or give me drugs. Anyone else have experience with this or can give me advice?

[Anastazia]

I've read in numerous places this is 'normal', often happens after being on the pill...
...I'd suggest drinking Vitex tea, it balances women's hormones.
The longer you're raw, the sooner it'll straighten out. (Does that make sense?)
~Anastazia~

[agumble]

I have the exact same issue. I went off the pill last February, got my period once in May, and haven't had it again since. Same BMI as you, 22 yrs old, exercise every day, feel better than I ever have. My doctor wants me to see an endocrinologist to get my hormones checked out just in case there is a problem. It will probably be awhile before I actually get an appointment, but I can let you know what they say when I do. I'm really hoping everything's fine because I've become ridiculously afraid of putting any drug in my body, and if they want me to take something, I think the doc and I are in for a showdown :p

[momma-rawma]

not familiar with the pill--my history involved 3 months of a free sample many moons ago and I decided it wasn't for me.

Have you looked at NFP or FAM....at the very least, it will help you become familiar with your bodily symptoms re: your fertility.

At minimum--it takes at least 3 months for the stuff to get out of your system (like--how long they tell you to wait to try and have a baby).....

I think if she hasn't visited in 6-12 months from when you last had it..you might get checked out. At least if you research NFP or FAM...you might get some better information for yourself without having to see an ob/gyn right away.

And certainly if you have any worrying symptoms like a foul discharge or pain...anything other than the amenorrhea (sp?)--then you would absolutely need to be checked.

I would also be sure to do your self-exams of your chest (not sure if the site will allow the regular word, so went g-rated on you :))

I would consider saving money for an annual exam. Just b/c they offer you meds, doesn't mean you have to take them. But it would be good to have the plumbing checked on an annual basis. :)

[Conscious Midwife]

THE ABSCENCE OF HEMORHAGGING DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU ARE NOT OVULATING

The RAW diet has a beautiful way of eradicating horrible PMS, bleeding, clots and all other not so normal conditions that have been linked to our menses.

Enjoy the reprieve!!!;)

[momma-rawma]

I googled for you and found this:


Drug-induced amenorrhea
Certain medications, particularly contraceptive medications, can induce amenorrhoea in a healthy woman. The lack of menstruation usually begins shortly after beginning the medication and can take up to a year to resume after stopping a medication. Hormonal contraceptives that contain only progestogen like the oral contraceptive Micronor, and especially higher-dose formulations like the injectable Depo Provera commonly induce this side-effect. Recently, an extended cycle combined oral contraceptive pill which aims to purposefully induce amenorrhea (Lybrel), has been approved by the FDA.


Not sure you have taken those meds---but found that to be an interesting find.

[hibisanpo]

whoa momma-rawma, that is interesting... i was on yasmin which had the hormone drospirenone. i will goggle around and see what i come up with.
my annual exam falls around March, so I will be sure to go then... I just wanted to avoid addition exams if lack of menstruation is common... i just moved to my area, so i don't even have a regular dr. to call.

but, i must say, it is a pleasant reprieve!
thanks ladies!

[mykidzrkute]

this kinda worries me, i just came of my birth control permanatly monday because me and my husband want to try for a baby come april, i really hope my period starts, i've come off my birth control before but never while eating the way i am

[momma-rawma]

this kinda worries me, i just came of my birth control permanatly monday because me and my husband want to try for a baby come april, i really hope my period starts, i've come off my birth control before but never while eating the way i am

you can ovulate prior to any period showing up, so I wouldn't worry.

The best tools you can have is to look into FAM or NFO.

Also there is a book called Taking Charge of your own Fertility.

Valuable information to understand the way a woman's body does function and let's you take charge and recognize what your body is doing and when. :)

[raw_danceruk]

I would say not to worry

a/ it can take a while for cycle to get back to normal anywhere between 1-2 years -- with me it took 2 years once for any periods, though I was ovulating well before this point.

b/ on raw periods can cease, whilst still having ovulation and a healthy mucus cycle. Bleeding isnt normal..

Give your body time-- to recover from the hormones, buy some ovulation tests in the mean time since thats cheap and easy! (since you guys have to pay for doctors there)

All the best hun

[momma-rawma]

Bleeding isnt normal..


:confused:

Can you explain this?

[raw_danceruk]

Here I did a banana search for you

These threads relate to RAW changing periods

wether thats stopping them, making them easier etc

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=32809&highlight=cease+of+periods

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=27474&highlight=cease+of+periods

There is the school of thought that periods ie. hemorrhage is not normal -- its a form of detox-- hence it can improve and completly cease on raw, whilst maintaining healthy cycle, ovulation and sometimes a mucus cycle.

This is what I have experienced anyway, after years of hormone treatment and a lot of years with bad periods.

Theres lots of opinions on it.. theres food for thought anyway

[hibisanpo]

thanks raw uk...
i've never heard of an ovulation test before... is that something
that can be bought otc?

and US healthcare... a had a friend who flew back to her home country, Croatia, to get a root canal because the plane ticket was loads cheaper the the US dental procedure. sheeesh.

[jacsam]

Here I did a banana search for you

These threads relate to RAW changing periods

wether thats stopping them, making them easier etc

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=32809&highlight=cease+of+periods

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=27474&highlight=cease+of+periods

There is the school of thought that periods ie. hemorrhage is not normal -- its a form of detox-- hence it can improve and completly cease on raw, whilst maintaining healthy cycle, ovulation and sometimes a mucus cycle.

This is what I have experienced anyway, after years of hormone treatment and a lot of years with bad periods.

Theres lots of opinions on it.. theres food for thought anyway
what do you mean by a mucus cycle ....and how do you know when your ovulating?

[raw_danceruk]

Ovulation indicators are

Raise in temperature

Change in mucus-- like egg yolk consitency

Cervix position

sharp pain in abdomen-- changes side each month typically


For more info just google NFP its great :o

or.. you can use conventional test otc

[bananafana]

I too was taking Yasmin birth control. When I stopped I went about one year without a period. My doctor gave me a shot of progestrone because my hormones were out of wack. This was before I was raw and now I'm kind of opposed to medication, so I'm not sure what I would do If this was happening to me now.

[momma-rawma]

what do you mean by a mucus cycle ....and how do you know when your ovulating?

natural hint to know you are ovulating.

It umm...helps the swimmers.


Only pre-predictor of ovulation.

Rising temp is an indication that ovulation has already occurred. Thus folks trying to conceive might have difficulty if only using temps--b/c ovulation is history by the time you have the data to support a rise in temp.

Cervical checks help as well...but I always have trouble with those. I know the polar opposite observations--but get thrown by all the in betweeners.

When you are preggers, your temp will stay elevated.

And if you are trying to avoid--any mucous means to abstain--b/c any mucous can indicate a fertile environment. :)

Sorry if this is too much details. Lots of info out there and there is a website dedicated to fertility/infertility/trying to have babies/trying to not have babies that you can get much more information. Most of the folks on that board are well versed on the subject. Many will recommend the book Taking Charge of your own fertility.

But like the raw food lifestyle, nfp has its critics...and its share of "jokes" that can be more insulting than funny.

[spiralgirl]

Here I did a banana search for you

These threads relate to RAW changing periods

wether thats stopping them, making them easier etc

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=32809&highlight=cease+of+periods

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=27474&highlight=cease+of+periods

There is the school of thought that periods ie. hemorrhage is not normal -- its a form of detox-- hence it can improve and completly cease on raw, whilst maintaining healthy cycle, ovulation and sometimes a mucus cycle.

This is what I have experienced anyway, after years of hormone treatment and a lot of years with bad periods.

Theres lots of opinions on it.. theres food for thought anyway

raw_danceruk,

Thanks for these links. Since being raw for over 7 months my periods have been painful cramp wise. The first 4 since raw were brutal and I was so tempted to go off raw but I didn't. They are a bit better now but still waiting for it to be less and less cramps.

Going to check out these links. :)