Menstrual Health Basics

Help for Anovulatory Androgen Excess (AAE)—Challenge PCOS!

Dr. Jerilynn Prior is a Professor and physician at the University of British Columbia and Celeste Wincapaw is a Vancouver woman and member of the Community Advisory Council for the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research. Because Celeste is interested for personal reasons and has questions about “polycystic ovary syndrome” (also called PCOS but…
Menstrual Cycle Diary©

CeMCOR’s Menstrual Cycle Diary© is meant for adolescents and premenopausal women. The Diary is available in both print and digital formats, with instructions provided. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to read and print the PDF of the Diary with instructions. We have also developed a version of this Diary with 2 blank…
Uterine Fibroids

I would like to know what are the recommendations for women who have fibroids of the uterus. Should I have them removed, and if so how? Do I need a hysterectomy?
Depo Provera and Osteoporosis

I’ve been using Depo Provera and am feeling fine. I started Depo in high school after a surprise pregnancy—I couldn’t remember to take my Pill. Should I be worried about osteoporosis? I still need protection. I am 23, active and healthy, a bit on the heavy side and have no family history of osteoporosis.
Endometriosis and Natural Progesterone

My daughter has endometriosis about as badly as you can get. She just had surgery, it was removed, and now they want to stop the periods with synthetic drugs. She wants to use natural progesterone; can natural progesterone be used and, if so, how much and how?
Exercise and Skipped Periods

I’ve been on the track and field team at my high school for several years but only recently started running the 10 kilometre races. Although I got my period when I was 14 and my cycles have been somewhat irregular, I’ve not totally skipped periods until recently. My mother got worried and took me to the doctor. She checked me carefully, did a blood test for the pituitary hormones prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) that were normal, and said I seemed healthy. However, she also said that I should stop training until my periods became normal again. I don’t want to stop running. Do you think I have to?
Heavy Periods After Childbirth

I have been experiencing heavy and or flooding periods since my last child was born. It is getting difficult to work the first few days of my period due to extremely heavy bleeding, soaking pads, every 15 minutes. The clots are often as big as the palm of my hand. Is there any product you recommend to wear? I have tried every pad , doubled, tripled, inside Depends, etc. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Is the Pill a Smart Choice for a Conscientious Young Woman?

I’m 17, have regular periods, want to have children one day, and don’t want to do anything that would risk my future health. I am sexually active but haven’t yet found a life partner. Do you think I should use the Pill?
Lost Periods Due to Stress

I am 28 years old and I haven’t menstruated for 3.5 years… I believe due to stress. Chinese herbs haven’t worked, nor vitamin supplements. I haven’t tried hormone replacements. My doctor has measured pituitary hormones, my CT scan of the pituitary is normal and my ovaries haven’t gone into menopause. What should I do?
Menstrual Clots

Um, I feel rather silly asking this, but I honestly don’t know, and I can’t find any information on the net giving me the answer. How do I know if what I’m experiencing is blood clotting? I only just learned of the endometrium being the uterine lining and that it actually sheds each month. I always thought it was blood clots that I’m experiencing, but now I don’t know if it’s that or membrane or whatever it might be called with the shedding. I don’t know where to turn to find out. It’s an embarrassing subject to broach, and even more so being so incredibly ignorant. If there’s any chance you can help me or point me in the right direction, I’d greatly appreciate it.