Warning: Only a woman can help with his question ;)

justbreathesrw28

I have been doing Atkins phase 1 for 6 days. I have been in ketosis for 3 days (measuring with sticks) my levels are right in between moderate to large numbers on bottle read 4.0-8.0 and my color is right in the middle of those numbers.

Yesterday I started spotting. My cycle is very regular and I just ended last weekend right before I started Atkins. Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I'm having cramps like I'm getting ready to start my entire cycle again. I've read there can be hormonal changes just haven't heard of anything like this before.

Appreciate any feedback...

Thanks and have a great day!

auntstephie321

I don't know if it's normal but many of us do have disruption in our cycle as we adapt. Especially if you have hormonal issues already. Mine was getting really short and spotting for days before when I went off lc at the end of the year. I started back beginning of January and already it's lengthened it a couple days and was a much more normal menses that before. After the first couple of cycles it should normalize again.

LowCarbInScotland

Hi @justbreathesrw28 the same thing happened to me last summer, that was actually the reason I threw in the towel and gave up. I read that it was likely due to the fact that our fat cells store up hormones (along with toxins) and when those fat cells get reduced rapidly, those hormones get released into our body, throwing off the normal balance.

I'm back on a Keto diet, 50+ days in this time, so far so good, hormonal issues under control. Can't really pinpoint the difference in my diet that would have resolved the issue for me unfortunately. But do hang in there, things do get better when your body adjusts to the new woe.

landiodo

I experienced two periods in one month too. I was even taking progesterone cream and it didn't slow things down. I suspect it is because I am perimenopausal.

baconslave

It's not abnormal to have your cycle disrupted. My first 3 cycles were early. As @PaleoInScotland mentioned, fat loss releases estrogen. That's going to temporarily change your hormone balance. I had 24 and 26 day cycles for the first few months, after that, it's straightened out. They are clockwork, every 28 days. I'm less "all over the place" emotionally as a result, and the symptoms are pretty tame.

Hang in there. Things will level out. So, no need to freak out over it at this point.

CMYKRGB

I researched this a very long time ago when I was having trouble TTC. The length of a cycle can only be disrupted preceding ovulation. Physical and emotional stress can impact the release of the egg. It's about hormones and how they affect ovulation. The spotting can be due to the same types of stress, which affects hormones. Did anything stress you out physically or emotionally between day 7-14? Or are you in your mid to late 40's and approaching perimenopause? Is your thyroid enlarged or your voice unusually raspy?

anglyn1

I started my cycle early about a week into keto. The next two months I was early and it lasted two weeks! The following two months have been completely normal and on schedule so hopefully things are back on track.

justbreathesrw28

CMYKRGB wrote: »

I researched this a very long time ago when I was having trouble TTC. The length of a cycle can only be disrupted preceding ovulation. Physical and emotional stress can impact the release of the egg. It's about hormones and how they affect ovulation. The spotting can be due to the same types of stress, which affects hormones. Did anything stress you out physically or emotionally between day 7-14? Or are you in your mid to late 40's and approaching perimenopause? Is your thyroid enlarged or your voice unusually raspy?

I am 47 will be 48 in May have not had any menopausal symptoms but I'm sure I'm in the pre-stages. I get lab work every year and thyroid is normal. I really appreciate all the feedback and input from everyone!!! It appears my fat cells are going away so I'll take a crazy period for a little bit in exchange!!

macchiatto

My first cycle on keto was super short (I started spotting the day I started keto; might have been coincidence but it was unusual for me). I spotted for a while and ended up having a 26-day cycle; mine are usually at least 31-34 days since I have PCOS. The next one was 42 days, then 32 days.

DianaElena76

I had two periods a month for about 3 months when I first started LCHF.

noclady1995

It happened to me too after my first week...spotting for a couple weeks and then my normal cycle started. After that my cycles actually normalized.

workathomemama

@justbreathesrw28 how have you been this month? Period still wonky?

I've been reading about how menstral cycles come earlier, are lighter or come more frequently. Haven't read about them not going away though.

I'm going into my 5th week on keto. I've had about 5 days of being "period free". Cannot wait for this to end. I feel like I should buy stocks in Kotex.

justbreathesrw28

@workathomemama yes it has leveled out I feel. About 8 days into keto I started and was much lighter than usual, it lasted about 8-9 days and haven't had anymore issues. I've been in ketosis for 27 days now... I hope you get some relief soon... Feel free to add me if your looking for Keto friends and support.

RobinK228

I have PCOS, so my periods are pretty irregular but over the past year I started getting them every other month. I started low carb about mid January and this month was my "off" month. I ended up getting it this month and being about a week earlier than what my Kindara app predicted. Hopefully this will regulate my cycle some.

sammyliftsandeats

It happened to me too. I take the pill and it has come while I am still in the hormone part of my pack. Sometimes it is the Red Sea and sometimes it is very light. I have been on Keto for a bit over three months so I am waiting for it to level out.