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medication and menstrual cycle

S

sandy4548

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Aged 57(perimenopausal)I was diagnosed with Diabetes T2. I was prescribed Metformin,which I took for the next 6yrs,during this time I had an every 28day menst.cycle! I came off Metformin and was taking pioglitazone+metformin and my menst.cycle went to every 7days-with great pain + discomfort. I came off this medication and took glicazide,within 10days my every 7day cycle returned, I was then prescribed sitagliptin to take with the gliclazide and then I got 2x menst.cycles in 7 days!! recently I was prescribed metformin to take along with gliclazide+sitagliptin and now I have 3x menst.cycles in 7 days!!! I am so ill with menstrual cramps + tiredness now that I have no quality of life!! My diabetic consultant says that is all a coincidence? My GP and gynaecologist are suggesting a hysterectomy but both say there are massive complications involved due to my diabetes-high BG levels-. Another solution would be to go onto injections to see if changes anything? I just know what to do? Plus I cannot be the only person that medication has had this affect on. Please someone must know the answer as to why the medication interferes with a females menstrual cycle. I am now 64yrs old and feel pretty confused as the every 7day cycle has been going on for nearly 2 years and no-one seems to come up with a true diagnosis and a solution to my present state of health.
 
Sandy, I am not an expert by any means but thought I would comment on what you have written.

I would have thought that 57 was quite late to be perimenopausal (sure someone will put me right!), I also know that Metformin can be gfiven to regulate a menstrual cycle as it is often given to women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

It sounds very much like you are going through the menopause now and possibly may have been going through it for a while, hence the bleeding happening more often..3 times in seven days doesn't sound like individual cycles, more like one which is sporadic during the week.

Obviously we are not doctors and you seem to be under the care of specialists but a hysterectomy is a big step to go through if you can be treated some other way. I think you really need to go back to your Gp and Gynae (are you in the UK?) and get a proper explanantion for what is going on, they must have suggested a reason as to why you are experiencing this.

Have you had your hormone levels checked, that would indicate if you are in menopause and at least then you would be certain.

Hope all goes well and you get the answers you need.
 
Hiya, poor you with what you are going through it must be awful. Before I was diagnosed with T2 I had ridiculously heavy periods with horrible cramps and probably at the time had really high blood sugars. At diagnosis I was prescribed metformin which coincided with an op to remove fibroids and perform an ablation. Following the op and also getting my BGs under control, my periods have really gone back to 'normal' short, light and not too painful.

I am not sure whether BG control or the op or a combination of both made things a lot better, but I had a bit of a BG lapse around Christmas last year and my periods were definitely worse, heavier and I felt lousy.

Diabetes alone should not be a reason not to perform the op but if you are having high BGs then that will probably make it more risky and it may take a long time to heal. If you can get better control over your BG you will be in a better position to consider your options (I know its easier said than done ...) Best wishes, Jane
 
Sorry to hear of your problems, I do agree with ladybird64, I think you need to get some answers, to be 64 years of age and still having periods, let alone a 7 day cycle! Needs investigating further. I truly hope you find a solution but I think another visit to your GP and possibly a referral to a different gynaecologist may be the way forward. Good luck.
 
I too would suggest that you are bang into the menopause and that what you're experiencing isn't menstrual "cycles", but rather breakthrough bleeding. A Drs visit is indicated, I'd say. I hope you feel better soon.
 
I would have thought it was the menopause too. I am going through this at the moment and am anemic because of the heavy bleeding. My doctor has suggested a mirena coil which is supposed to help slow down the bleeding. Will discuss this more with him next week when I see him next.

I hope you get it sorted soon because it must be really getting you down. I would go and talk to gp again.
 
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