Patient's question:
She used to be quite normal, but recently for the past few months, she has been relying on taking traditional Chinese medicine pills to regulate her period. This month, her period hasn't come again, so she bought more traditional Chinese medicine, but it hasn't shown any improvement. Could you please tell me if irregular periods will affect her ability to have children in the future? Also, why are her periods irregular? She is 22 years old. Thank you!Doctor's answer:
Hello! Irregular menstruation is generally a manifestation of abnormal ovulation due to abnormal ovarian function. Even if ovulation occurs once every three months, the chances of pregnancy are relatively lower compared to others. If you have irregular menstruation, it is important to identify the cause and undergo relevant hormone tests, such as the six hormone tests, insulin release test, and thyroid function series. Additionally, it is necessary to check for obesity, hirsutism, and other symptoms. In cases of oligomenorrhea (infrequent menstruation), obesity, and hirsutism, the most common condition is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The primary treatment involves weight loss, reducing androgen levels, and treating hyperinsulinemia. After successful treatment, pregnancy is still possible.