Hello,

Around six months ago, my girlfriend was having irregularities in her menstrual cycle. A doctor (who, in retrospect, was probably not a very good one) put her on Norethindrone (Aygestin) 5 mg, twice a day, for a period that turned into MORE THAN FIVE WEEKS STRAIGHT. Without any breaks (no weeks off) to let the period come. Yeah, I know, bad move...

Anyway, six months later, her cycle is more or less on schedule - BUT:
1) She spots considerably for close to 10 days before her period actually starts. Some spotting is light, while others are thick and heavy - but then stop, without becoming an actual period.
2) She has been suffering from all sorts of physical ailments ever since - totally random issues of nausea, skin surface becoming boiling hot but a thermometer records no fever, intense stomach pains, etc.

For the first two/three months, we could not figure out what was wrong with her. Doctors that we went to did all kinds of tests (bloodwork, urine, ultrasound) and said that she was perfectly healthy... except for the fact that she was feeling horribly ill, and sometimes nearly fainted. Finally, one bright chap suggested that the excessive Norethindrone had seriously messed with her hormones, and that we should just wait it out.

Which we did... except now, the symptoms are starting in earnest again. Frankly, we don't know what to do. So my question is threefold:

1) Is the original theory valid - that what caused all of this was the Norethindrone?
2) If so, does it make sense that it's still wreaking havoc, 6 months later?
3) Where do we go from here - what do we do now?

Is she still taking this daily on a continuous basis? It very well could be from the Norethindrone. If the doctor who suggested that it might be believes it could have caused an imbalance in her hormone level, they should do some testing to find out. Not sure what he is waiting it out for since it has been six months.

It may be that a smaller dose, and/or taking it only for a period each month, which is often the case for dealing with irregular cycles, will make a difference for her. Or perhaps a different sort altogether would be a better choice for her. I'd speak to her doctor about making changes... do not do so on your own.

Thanks for your response. No, she is not still taking it - it was a one-time thing. We have since moved (from Michigan to NY) so she's not using any of the same doctors as then. As for the doctor who suggested that it may be the Norethindrone - he is not a OB/GYN or anything; he is another type of doctor (some type of therapist, I think), who (when told about the symptoms) just happened to think of that idea. But it wasn't his department; hence the "waiting it out" for six months, rather than him doing anything.

So... if she goes to a competent OB/GYN now (not like he doctor in Michigan), will he/she be able to perform the necessary tests to sort this out? Or do we need a regular physician? And what kind of test is it, anyway?

I see, the doctor was suggesting to wait for it to be out of her system and see how things go. It's not likely it would still be effecting her at this point, so another cause needs to be looked into.

I would have her get recommendations from friends, coworkers, etc. for an OB/GYN and then go in and explain the situation thus far.

Birth control pills are often used to help regulate cycles, but blood work should be done to determine any hormone imbalance, such as thyroid concerns, as well as just a general blood screening. They will likely, and should since she would be a new patient, do a complete physical including a pelvic exam to make sure there are no physical causes that may not have shown up before such ovarian cysts.

How old is your girlfriend? By chance might she be entering perimenopause?

Thank you so much! And no, she's not entering perimenopause - she's only 20.