I am 32 years right now, Female. This is my struggle story so far. When I started my periods at the age of 12 years old, I used to have severe cramps, I used to dread my period days. By age 24 year old the cramps subsided. I was 27 years old when I first started facing the problem of irregular periods. My periods started skipping for a month initially, then the gap became 3 months. Like what women do I approached a Gynecologist ( also known as an obstetrician). In India, if you do not know your OB/GYN personally as family or friends then the first question they will ask the Female Patient is “Are you Married?”, that is basically their way of knowing if you are sexually active or not. I always wonder can’t they just ask that question upfront?!!! But no actually in India Females are supposed to be sexually active only after their Marriage (this topic will be another story). She asked me a couple of questions and gave me the standard 21 days Contraceptive Pills, which would supposedly regularize my periods.
Like in Educated Indian Families in medical issues we always like going for the second opinion. This second opinion happened to be a very good OB/GYN surgeon friend of my Dad. I asked him frankly should I take these pills, he said if the 21-day system is irksome for you, I can prescribe you a shorter format of 10 days pills. I meticulously asked if these hormonal pills will make me gain weight. In India ( from various survey papers), about 48 % of Married Women use Contraceptive Pills to prevent Unwanted Pregnancies. Contraceptive Pills are a major cause of Weight Gain in most Women after Marriage. Though everyone is not the same. Hence my Concern at my prescription from my Second OB/GYN. He said mostly no, as Artificial Hormone combination Technology has advanced now. I started with the pills, they did regularize my periods for a year. My periods were regular, exactly 3 days long and never painful and light flow. In this one year, I had started to gain weight but did not notice.
When I started these meds I was 57kgs, at the end of the year I was 60kgs. These meds I felt was giving me mood swings and irritation. After consulting with my parents I decided to go to the Ayurvedic Medicine way. I consulted an Ayurvedic Doctor, he gave me a bunch of roots, powders, and herbs to take 5 times a day. I tried this for 6 months. No change in my condition, my periods at this point started coming at 4 months break. Then I go to another OB/GYN friend of my Dad, he asks me to get a series of tests done Like CT Scan, Pelvic MRI, All hormone tests and various Ultra Sonograms. I get all of them done. As per my test results, he concludes I have PCOD or PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Disorder). He gives me a comprehensive prescription of 21 days Contraceptive Pills, Vitamins, Minerals, Some Diet & Exercise suggestions. I go by this prescription for another year.
I could not be regular with my exercise. I was always Thin or slim built, never thought I could have such rapid weight gain. I was also at a Job which gave me a lot of stress. After a year, following this prescription, I was at 66kgs. Interestingly and fortunately I never had all the symptoms of PCOD like I never got acne or suffered from hirsutism or change in my voice. Even in the hormonal tests, my testosterone levels were normal, never high. I lost faith in all Modern Artificial Hormonal treatments. In this time I have consulted a Nutritionist & have joined a Gym with a Personal Trainer. With a high-stress job and city commuting lifestyle, procuring & following the elaborate diet & having to go to the gym at work day-end started to give me more stress. My weight never budged. I stood on the weighing scale at 68kgs now. I went to two Homeopathic Doctors too and consulted one online Homeopathic doctor. I had their prescribed meds (off-course not all at the same time). This fiasco went on for 3-4 months.
I dejectedly went to another Lady OB/GYN, a popular one near my home. She gave me the same single-use type hormonal pills. She kept saying I have PCOD, it can be genetic. Lose weight, Reduce stress maybe. Also at this point when I didn’t have my periods for 9 months, one day she hastily commented while leaving for a C section surgery in the middle of my appointment with her ” Who knows, Maybe you are Pregnant & you do not know it! ” I was dumbfounded, thinking she has my latest Ultra Sound, MRI reports in front of her, How can she (a qualified doctor) make such an idiotic comment on a patient. Such is the condition of the Medical System in India. At this point, I lose all faith in any form of treatment anyone has to offer to me. I decided from that point I solely would be responsible for my wellbeing. I will try to bring my condition in order by my self learned and read ways from various sources on the Internet/Journals/Self Help etc. I will try to make dietary & lifestyle changes, I will try to do Yoga/Walk/stretches/Strength training, etc.
Now I stand at 72kgs. My periods have been absent for 3 years almost and I have still not found a sure shot way to cure my condition. To hell with all medical researches in the World!! They say AIDS & Cancer can not be cured, you stupid people there are no sure shot certified meds to cure PCOD and Amenorrhoea too. Due to my condition at times I feel I suffer from Anxiety & Depression but these thoughts are temporary, keep coming & going. I doubt even the Medical Council of India can do anything about my condition.
Fun fact in the above sob story: I myself discovered the term Amenorrhoea from my readings, none of my numerous doctors coined it in my presence.
