My daughter didn't have her first mensral cycle until she was almost 15. I started at age 9 so I was kind of puzzled by the late start. The question I have is that she still doesn't have a normal cycle that of 28 days or 30. She finally is having them more frequently almost monthly but now she is having bleeding in between times too. What do you think I should do? I took her to the doctors about 6 months ago. However; my daughter is overweight and the doctor seemed to think it was all about the weight issue. I was always overweight growing up and I didn't have messed up periods and I still don't. My daughter also has a brownish rash on the back of her neck that we noticed back in the Summer and that's when I took her to the doctor and he said it was from being overweight. Although, he did say it wasn't common in white females with blonde hair and blue eyes..Normally, just a Asian thing that happens.???
Has anyone any idea or ever heard of this?
No clue about the rash, but I first got my period when I was 16 (my mom was 9) and I NEVER had a regular period until I was much older and on birth control pills.
Hi D.,
I agree with the other moms that say get a second opinion. Definitely take her to an OB/GYN and maybe even a dermatologist for the skin rash. Hope you get some answers!
D.,
I read somewhere that the rash might be a sign of diabetes. I just searched on the web and found someone else asking the same question. Here is the answer that was given there:
"When your doctor looked at the rash, he probably also saw signs of another rash called Acanthosis nigricans. Its a light brown, to dark brown rash that indicates insulin resistance or diabetes. It may just look like dirt, or heavy tanning, but its not.
You can read more about it here...
http://www.driscollchildrens.org/diabete…
It may show up as a very heavy dark patch or medium in colour, but the important thing is that it indicates blood sugar problems.
Be glad that your doctor picked up on it, and you are getting tested now. The longer diabetes goes untreated, the more damage it does to your nerves, eyes, organs, and kidneys."
If your doctor isn't answering your questions to your satisfaction, maybe you should see someone else.
Good luck and God bless.
Victoria
I honestly think you should get another doctor.
Not every woman (and in fact MANY women) do not have 28-30 day cycles. Check out http://www.tcoyf.com/ - Taking Charge of Your Fertility This is particularly not of concern when you're young
I also think the rash is something that needs to be checked out. Good luck!
Hmm.. if the rash is a sign of diabetes~ it could be due to her weight as this is one thing that can trigger it aside from running in the family.
Either way, I would recommend you get yourself to a specialist and check the thyroid and hormone levels.
If her weight is up, would there be any harm in talking with her and the specialist about getting her a well-balanced diet to help her control it? I would be very concerned if this were happening to my son... I am sure you want the best for her and if that can help in any way to avoid further complications, then it would be worth checking in to.
I've made it my goal this year to incorporate fitness into my day so I can be around for my son~ to take care of my heart and the internal organs as I do have an autoimmune disorder. Plus, I have more energy. My son loves doing yoga with me~ so you can even do this with her and have fun with it... Just a thought~ not a judgment by any means... Only concern for her health.
It sounds like that the darkened area on the back of her neck is Acanthosis nigricans which is a sign of insulin resistance which is a pre-curser of type 2 diabetes. It is more often seen in black or hispanic children but it can affect anyone with insulin resistance. You might want to take her to a pediatric endocrinologist for an evaluation and a referral for a diet and exercise program. Get the whole family on a healthy eating plan and offer to exercise with her or encourage her to join a health club or a boot camp for young girls. good luck!
Sounds like PCOS (poly cystic ovary syndrome). My daughter was diagnosed less than a year ago. Is the skin on the back of her neck thick? Does she have any unusual hair growth? When she tries to loose weight, is it very difficult?
You mentioned you took her to a doctor. Did the doctor do any blood test to check hormone levels? Have her insulin levels been tested? I recommend taking her to an OB/GYN.
The skin is a reflection of what is going on inside the body. Getting her body in balance will help her overall health.
Are you aware of the synthetic hormones in beef and chicken? Also, if the synthetic hormones are in beef and chicken they are in milk, cheese and eggs.
I conduct healthy workshops and I tell people to make 1-2 positive lifestyle changes a month. In one year you will have made 12-24 changes and they are a habit now. Did you know that when you eat good wholesome foods 80% of the time, the body doesn't crave junk foods (including pop)?
Creating a healthy family is like a game of follow the leader. Our kids will do what we do. Take care of yourself first.
After reading many of the other responses, I felt compelled to put in my two cents. If the rash is a sign of insulin resistance or diabetes, then I would take her to an OBGYN and discuss the possibility of Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome. I have it and insulin resistance goes hand in hand with it in some people. (I have a friend with PCOS who does not have insulin resistance.) Insulin resistance is not the same thing as diabetes but can lead to it. Some other symptoms of PCOS include being overweight, irregular menstrual cycle, hormone imbalance, facial hair. A lot of the problems can be reversed by medicating the insulin resistance and following a balanced diet and limiting carb intake. I was diagnosed at 30, when I was trying to get pregnant and probably 80 lbs overweight. I think a lot of my doctors missed the signs, but am glad to be working with a great obgyn now. I have lost 35 lbs and was able to conceive the second time around without fertility drugs!
Good luck! I hope you are able to help your daughter find a diagnosis.
Hi D., I did not start until I was 17 1/2 yo. My reason was thyroid/progesterone. I've learned a lot about thyroid testing that I would be happy to share. I was going to share what a friend is going thru however Sue's post covered that very well. I also have information of navigating that if you'd like. There is a lot that can be done for these situation. Putting up with it or prescriptions are not your only options.
M.
your daughter needs to see a different doctor!
Starting your period at 15 is GREAT. The extra hormones in foods cause girls to start early. Doctors only start to worry if they've past 16 and haven't started. Girls periods are often irregular when they first start, and some women battle irregular periods constantly. I wouldn't worry unless she has periods that last longer then a week with LOTS of bleeding the whole time. Weight CAN be related to menstruation, but its the opposite, women with hardly any body fat STOP menstruating.
The rash being a weight issue sounds WEIRD to me. It sounds like an excuse for your doctor to harp on her being overweight. I'd get a second opinion, and from a dermatologist if possible.
I don't know if your daughter's weight is just a pleasantly plump thing or if she's really in danger, but I'd get a second opinion on that issue as well. I just think to blame all this stuff on her being overweight seems strange (even if she was in danger).
I agree with both responders. The darkened area, rash, is usually a sign of diabetes. Just have her tested. Your early start and periods can be totally different from your own child. Just make sure she keeps a record of her periods. If you do not like what the doctor told you, take her for a second opinion with another doctor.
I don't konw anything about the rash but I think an abnormal menstral cycle is not usually anything to worry about (and not necessarily having anything to do with her weight). I had an abnormal menstral cycle from age 12 when I got my period until 18 when I finally went on birth control. I was of average weight and my doctor was never concerned about my cycle. My mom, on the other hand, has always had a "clockwork" cycle so I don't think there's much comparison between mothers' and daughters' cycles.
Like others have said, it wouldn't hurt to get the rash looked at. And you may want to consider looking into another doctor if he or she is simply chalking everything up to your daughter's weight. That doesn't seem very helpful...
The brownish rash on an overweight person is usually where the skin rubs together, not on their necks. If your doctor keeps chalking everything up to her being overweight I would definately go and get a second opinion. Good luck to you and your daughter.
being overweight can mess with hormone levels. and, being hyper hormonal because of her age anyways, i would guess that her hormones are more haywire than a normal weight girl. if it were my daughter, i would ask her doc about it to see if she needs any bloodwork done.or just start exercising more and eating healthier and see if it helps after a few months.
Yes, I have seen the brown rash on an overweight person and it is caused by being overweight. Sometimes weight can cause problems with hormones. Maybe get her thyroid checked and talk to an OBGYN.
