Ladies: effect of fat loss on cycle duration?
zoom2
Posts: 934 Member
I recall from years ago that when I lost 60#s that it had a pretty noticeable effect on the length of my cycles, which have always been a little on the shorter side (25-26 days in my 20s and early 30s). For the last 5-6 years I've had stupidly short cycles of ~23 days...sometimes as short as 21 (and then I have a light period for 10 days--had thermal ablation over a decade ago because I would hemorrhage so badly with each period, thanks to endometriosis--so some months I'm literally on my period half the time). At 42 I'm assuming that I'm pretty solidly into peri-menopause and will probably reach "the change" in the next 5 years or so.
Today is day 25 and I'm pretty geeked that I've yet to start my period, though my boobs are pretty sore and I'm retaining a lot of water, so I suspect things will start either today or tomorrow. For a while my OB/gyn had me on 200mg of progesterone for days 16-25 to treat estrogen-dominance, but it had no effect. I never did get to day 25, even. Losing fat (I've dropped 12#s since 1/1) from my body apparently reduces my relative estrogen levels better than taking progesterone to achieve that end.
Anyone else with similar results after dropping even 5-10% of their body weight?
Today is day 25 and I'm pretty geeked that I've yet to start my period, though my boobs are pretty sore and I'm retaining a lot of water, so I suspect things will start either today or tomorrow. For a while my OB/gyn had me on 200mg of progesterone for days 16-25 to treat estrogen-dominance, but it had no effect. I never did get to day 25, even. Losing fat (I've dropped 12#s since 1/1) from my body apparently reduces my relative estrogen levels better than taking progesterone to achieve that end.
Anyone else with similar results after dropping even 5-10% of their body weight?
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Hasn't affected my actual cycles (pretty much 28 days down to the hour), but I do notice that in the months where I have more weight loss my flow is heavier. I remember reading somewhere about the hormones that are stored in adipose tissue being released when weight loss occurs. I want to say that estrogen was the main hormone, but I'd have to go back and find the supporting articles. I'm sure a Google search would bring a bevy of hits on the subject.0
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Estrogen is the one I've always heard, which would explain why my estrogen-dominant self would notice such a positive effect on my cycles as my relative level of estrogen is decreased. Maybe that makes sense that less estrogen in your system would lead to heavier flow -- taking estrogen-based BCPs or other hormonal contraceptives (like nuvaring) generally makes for lighter periods. More estrogen = less uterine lining...less estrogen = more...?0
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I don't know about cycle length because mine have almost never been regular except when I've taken BC but when I'm over 250 I bleed constantly for the most part, which is just terribly inconvenient and not to mention gross and annoying. Now that I've dipped below 250 it has ceased and I have yet to see what my cycles are gonna be like now. I'm very happy about it!0
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hippygirl325 wrote: »Now that I've dipped below 250 it has ceased and I have yet to see what my cycles are gonna be like now. I'm very happy about it!
Keep us posted! I hope you see things regulate, too. My bleeding for even *just* 10 days is a major PITA, so I feel for you.0 -
Yay, 26 days! Last month was 24, the month before that 22. At this rate I might see 28 for this next cycle!!0
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That's wonderful! I will put in an update about it as things progress.0
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So...my 26 day cycle ended with a relatively light and short period. I think I only bled for maybe 5-6 days, instead of my typical 8. I didn't think much of it. But now I've been spotting for the past few days, I think maybe this is related to ovulation (at least it coincides perfectly with the little cycle app I track with), but I'm suspicious that it's bonkers hormones. Between the weight loss (averaging about a pound/week for the past month+, so nothing extreme) and perimenopause (I'm 42), I think my estrogen levels are probably pretty wonky.0
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Zoom - Are you a heavy exerciser? I ask only because I notice that doing very heavy exercise like HIIT training (or any exercise that takes me into the anaerobic zone, really) often makes me start spotting and cramping a little bit. I read somewhere that the extreme exercise and anaerobic load can cause a degree of ischaemia in the uterus (which is what causes that notorious period pain), and start the process of shedding (the spotting/period itself). This is a summary, of course, but actually explains a lot in my particular situation.
For a little background, I also have endometriosis but it is treated by taking an OCP continuously so I don't have a monthly bleed or much noticeable hormonal swing and I can usually control when I have a bleed. I have done this for nearly 20 years, and it is a treatment that works for me.
Previous posters have talked about stored oestrogen in the fat being released as we lose those fat cells, and I believe there is definitely something in this too!
I hope things eventually even out for you (hormone-wise!). They did for me!0 -
I'm an avid runner and cyclist, though this is my off season. I'm logging 10-12 miles running and 45-60/week on the bike. Low intensity. I really don't suspect the workouts, since they're about half the miles I put down in the Summer and far less effort.0
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Coming back to this to add that I also have stage 2 endo (was diagnosed when I had my tubal ~ age 30, but I had ALL of the textbook symptoms from my very first period at age 12). I imagine fluctuations in estrogen could also mess with the endo, itself. I'm definitely estrogen-dominant. A couple of years ago my doc had me on 200mg of Progesterone on days 16-25 to try to normalize the length of my cycles, but it had little-to-no effect.0
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@zoom2 I posted this in another thread somewhere, but our female hormone system is not isolated from our whole hormone system. I was estrogen dominant and supplemented with progesterone, and it did nothing, because my adrenals kept stealing the progesterone (considered by the body one of the least essential hormones, and therefore at the top of the list for kidnapping by the other needs of the body) and converting it to whatever it needed - cortisol and adrenaline - oh, and thyroid!, presumably... Until all of the issues are addressed equally, treatment of a single issue won't help. That is kind of like bailing from one edge of the boat, only. Whereas if all points of access on the ship were bailing excess water, as long as there wasn't a major leak, the boat would fully right itself readily enough... Addressing leaks, then weak points, all across the board is necessary, rather than spot treatment...0
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I noticed this month that I had virtually no cramps. No super heavy flow like normal either.
I can totally deal if it stays this way.0 -
KnitOrMiss wrote: »@zoom2 I posted this in another thread somewhere, but our female hormone system is not isolated from our whole hormone system. I was estrogen dominant and supplemented with progesterone, and it did nothing, because my adrenals kept stealing the progesterone (considered by the body one of the least essential hormones, and therefore at the top of the list for kidnapping by the other needs of the body) and converting it to whatever it needed - cortisol and adrenaline - oh, and thyroid!, presumably... Until all of the issues are addressed equally, treatment of a single issue won't help. That is kind of like bailing from one edge of the boat, only. Whereas if all points of access on the ship were bailing excess water, as long as there wasn't a major leak, the boat would fully right itself readily enough... Addressing leaks, then weak points, all across the board is necessary, rather than spot treatment...
I suppose that would require some sort of full hormone panel, huh? I have had my thyroid checked a couple of times in the past decade and that all checks out OK, so I'm guessing something else is goofy.0 -
There is a misnomer that all thyroid problems show up in testing. Most doctors don't run all the tests they need for a comprehensive look, and even if they do, you can be "in range" and still deficient for YOU. www.stopthethyroidmadness.com is so enlightening! @Dragonwolf here shared it with me.
I think it would just take an endocrinologist to look at the big picture, but yes, comprehensive testing would probably be involved. Don't be like me and wait more than ten years for everything to level out along the way. If I hadn't started losing weight, I would never have made it this far!
For me, it was multiple things, even though I never had the whole system tested at that time. Honestly, looking back, it was likely my PCOS that kicked into gear and wrecked the whole system. Regardless, the whole system was wrecked...and it didn't show in my actual thyroid tests for over 6 years...maybe closer to 10 years...
Within 6 months of treating the actual PCOS, my quality of life has improved in ways I've never imagined... So many factors...0 -
Update: After it last stopped around 2/7 or so, I am just now seeing signs of it again, which would be normal for a cycle.
I have also lost 16 more lbs since then. 
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hippygirl325 wrote: »Update: After it last stopped around 2/7 or so, I am just now seeing signs of it again, which would be normal for a cycle. I have also lost 16 more lbs since then.
NICE! And that is amazing progress. Have you had to buy a new wardrobe, yet?
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I am so jealous of you guys. I've been bleeding for the last 2 weeks straight and I'm on depo! Before this I had hardly any bleeding...I guess the depo doesn't like me losing weight. Grrrr.0
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Losing weight can affect your cycle no matter what. I'm sorry you're bleeding so much/long, though... Once your body balances out some, you should be better...0
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sweetteadrinker2 wrote: »I am so jealous of you guys. I've been bleeding for the last 2 weeks straight and I'm on depo! Before this I had hardly any bleeding...I guess the depo doesn't like me losing weight. Grrrr.
I'm astounded that you're able to lose on Depo. Man, that was evil. I did ONE shot and never did another. While some women get really moody, it had the opposite effect on me -- I had NO moods. It really freaked my DH out. And I had HORRIBLE acne and easily gained 5-10#s in that 3 month span.
So I'm on day 7 of mid-cycle spotting, with my actual period predicted due in another 7 days...so I suspect it won't happen. Or will be way late. I'm sort of curious to see. I haven't yet logged my week of spotting into my app as an actual period, since I don't know if it is an actual period. If the real deal doesn't start within the next 2 weeks I probably will retroactively go tag that first day of spotting as day 1.
On the bright side, I'm OK with my cycle shifting, this time around. I looked ahead to see when my next couple cycles are predicted and right now the app is showing that I should be "on the rag" the entire time we're in FL for Spring Break -- yuck! So I'm way stoked about maybe not having to deal with that while we're spending days snorkeling and kayaking the Everglades!0 -
sweetteadrinker2 wrote: »I am so jealous of you guys. I've been bleeding for the last 2 weeks straight and I'm on depo! Before this I had hardly any bleeding...I guess the depo doesn't like me losing weight. Grrrr.
I'm astounded that you're able to lose on Depo. Man, that was evil. I did ONE shot and never did another. While some women get really moody, it had the opposite effect on me -- I had NO moods. It really freaked my DH out. And I had HORRIBLE acne and easily gained 5-10#s in that 3 month span.
So I'm on day 7 of mid-cycle spotting, with my actual period predicted due in another 7 days...so I suspect it won't happen. Or will be way late. I'm sort of curious to see. I haven't yet logged my week of spotting into my app as an actual period, since I don't know if it is an actual period. If the real deal doesn't start within the next 2 weeks I probably will retroactively go tag that first day of spotting as day 1.
On the bright side, I'm OK with my cycle shifting, this time around. I looked ahead to see when my next couple cycles are predicted and right now the app is showing that I should be "on the rag" the entire time we're in FL for Spring Break -- yuck! So I'm way stoked about maybe not having to deal with that while we're spending days snorkeling and kayaking the Everglades!
I'm on shot #3. It makes my pms way worse, but my acne has actually gotten better! My first 2 shots I gained probably 15 pounds. I really like the shot, but admit that it makes weight loss way harder than it was before. I only get the increased appetite around my cycle though, so it's not the hell of always being starving that some women experience. I'm hoping that with weight loss I will also dry up.
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I have a 30-31 day cycle, but my actual menses last 5-6 days and are freaking super heavy for at least four of those days. With weight loss, I have regularized my cycle length, but it hasn't helped my fracking bleeding any. Been seriously contemplating endometrial ablation.0
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I had old-school thermal ablation and it really helped, but I think the newer methods do a better job of reducing flow entirely. I think my endo has caused some of my uterine lining to grow back. Without endo I'm guessing I'd have less bleeding each cycle.nicsflyingcircus wrote: »Been seriously contemplating endometrial ablation.
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For me it would be laser ablation. Honestly, I am hoping if I take the plunge that it more or less kills my menses entirely. I have 4 kids, my husband had a vasectomy 9.5 yrs ago and 15 more years of super heavy, painful periods is not to be desired.0
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Yeah, on the bright side, I'm likely 10 years or less from menopause, given how long I've had what appear to be perimenopause symptoms.
And I've decided that this current spotting is definitely not ovulation and is a full-on period, so I had a 26 day cycle, followed by 11 days. I have NO clue when to expect the next one!0 -
hippygirl325 wrote: »Update: After it last stopped around 2/7 or so, I am just now seeing signs of it again, which would be normal for a cycle. I have also lost 16 more lbs since then.
NICE! And that is amazing progress. Have you had to buy a new wardrobe, yet?
Thank you! I have had to buy a few things, some new jeans, work pants and a few tops. I've been trying to just buy a few things at a time cuz I know I'm gonna go through a lot of sizes.
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hippygirl325 wrote: »hippygirl325 wrote: »Update: After it last stopped around 2/7 or so, I am just now seeing signs of it again, which would be normal for a cycle. I have also lost 16 more lbs since then.
NICE! And that is amazing progress. Have you had to buy a new wardrobe, yet?
Thank you! I have had to buy a few things, some new jeans, work pants and a few tops. I've been trying to just buy a few things at a time cuz I know I'm gonna go through a lot of sizes.
My sister won a $1000 gift card to The Loft and is in the middle of losing weight. I advised her to just buy maybe 3-4 new things every 2-3 months...because otherwise she's going to blow it all on stuff she won't get much wear out of. She wants to drop 3-4 sizes.0 -
Something else I'm noticing...my acne (yes, at 42 I still battle this -- worse than I ever did as a teen -- now with 100% more wrinkles!) is worsening. My guess is as relative balance of estrogen decreases, relative testosterone is higher...and associated acne. Joy.
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I just started keto today. I have had mirena for about 4 years and had a gradual shift to virtually no period. I wonder how it will be effected.0
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I've been on constant birth control for a while now, and had had no break-through bleeding for at least six months, and I had 7-10 days of super mild spotting that started 2 weeks ago out of nowhere. That's the only real thing I've noticed, cycle-wise, @mongoosealamode . Just FYI0
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My periods have always been incredibly short (one day of bleeding) but since dropping 30 lbs they've increased two-three days.
I'm hoping that they go back to my normal (29-30 days). I love working out because 1. make me feel better and 2. less days on period. I also have 0 pain when I do my standard high intensity weight lifting regime.
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