Menstrual cycles

Dong Quai is where it's at. It's supposed to be able to regulate the estrogen levels in women.

My mom makes Dong Quai soup once in a while for the whole family, but she tells the guys in my family to drink sparingly because she heard it can cause men to develop boobs lol.

I know there are Dong Quai supplements and teas out there, but I'm not sure how effective they are compared to eating the actual root.

Hi tbohl!-

Maybe you should look in to having your hormones tested?

I am pretty sure that I have had Lyme and co-infections that went misdiagnosed for 27 years. Lyme can affect your hormone levels.

In my teens, I was having my period every other week for a couple of years. I was put on birth control and this seemed to help regulate my cycle.

I have also tried Progesterone cream, but that was so long ago I can't remember if it helped me.

In my early 30s I was having my period only 3 or 4 times a year. I would only spot for a day and that was my period. I got tested to see if I was premenopausal, but tests came back "normal ".

When I was 36, I went a whole year without having my period. I got tested again if I was premenopausal. Nope, everything's fine and once again my results were "normal". I don't know how it can be considered "normal " if I don't even get my period. Here is the best part, I was told to schedule for another appointment for next year, and if I still had the same symptoms (no period) to let them know. I wanted to punch this doctor! Lol!

Anyway, through a different doctor, I did a hormone test. I was given Progesterone and Testosterone. I started to get my period once a month, but only spot for a day. This all happened before I finally got diagnosed with Lyme in February 2014.

I am currently not on the Progesterone or Testosterone. I am on antibiotics, herbal, and other supplements for treating Lyme and co-infections. I think that my period is finally starting to have a regular cycle.

Maybe you can ask your LLMD for a hormone test. Then you will have a better idea of what herbs or supplements to try.

Wishing you the best!

Are you thin? Lost some weight? Estrogen lives in fat too. My sister, who is overweight, never went through menopause because her fat had stored so much estrogen. I was super active and thin and boy did I go through menopause.

Women athletes (especially Olympic trainers) will go years without a period.

Oh and by the way, they do go on to have babies.

Stress will change your cycle and I am sure that lyme will change a cycle. You will probably have a wonderful little cherub someday. Don't worry. (So easy for me to say, but I hope it helps you)

I became underweight in the beginning when I first got really sick with Lyme and ended up losing my period for 6-7 months, and ever since it came back I've only had spotting every couple of weeks or so, it hasn't ever gone back to normal since... I think I'm definitely going to go get my hormones checked out as well, but I'm glad to see I'm not the only one experiencing this.

Hello -

Wow, I think we are twins. I'm 26 years old, diagnosed this year with lyme. Menstrual problems since high school. I was put on birth control at age 14 to regulate my periods, and I stayed on that for years, but when I got engaged I thought I should get my hormones in balance and I wanted to be off the pill. After going off birth control, I would often go 3-4 months with no period. I told my PCP and she said, "Oh, 3 months is okay. I'll worry when you go four months"…so stupid. She also told me to gain weight- easier said than done to someone who had a chronic illness the whole time! I'm a newlywed, and before diagnosis, I thought I'd have another year of "fun" with my husband before having kids. I'm with you on trying to get my hormones balanced so once I am healed I can move forward with my life!

Here are the things that seem to work for me.
1. Acupuncture. After two acupuncture sessions, I had a regular normal period. I couldn't even believe it - it had been years since I had a normal period. I did acupuncture every week for two months and I had two normal periods. I even bought tampons! I was feeling better, and missed acupuncture for three weeks and then missed another period. So needless to say, I am going to continue the acupuncture every week until I am totally healed. (I hate needles and blood and body stuff, so if someone had told me last year that I'd be doing acupuncture every week, I never would have believed it - but hey, anything to heal, right?)

2. My Naturopathic doctor suggested that I eat a very high protein diet -I try to eat at least 50g protein per day. Half of your body weight in grams is ideal.

Thank you Sayyadina for posting all this wonderful information!

I agree with you and Simela 1. We should have ALL hormones tested.

I want to ask my LLMD at my next appointment about testing my adrenals. I remember when I was around 19 years old. My mom took me to see a natural doctor. Back then, I had my adrenals tested and they were a mess. I can't remember the supplements that I took back then.