does losing weight cause a lighter period?
Iwantahealthierme30
Posts: 293 Member
Any experiences with this? All of a sudden my period is lighter after being heavy for so long, does it have to do with what I'm eating, weight loss, or what? I've lost 15 pounds. I'm 215 now and I'm 5'5". Not on birth control of any kind.
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Replies
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Could be. Changes in weight definitely affect hormones. I have PCOS and my body will only consider ovulation below 210 lbs. I conceived both of my children upon hitting exactly 207. It seemed to be a fertility on/off switch. So I wouldn’t be surprised if it was changing things for you.1
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Iwantahealthierme30 wrote: »Any experiences with this? All of a sudden my period is lighter after being heavy for so long, does it have to do with what I'm eating, weight loss, or what? I've lost 15 pounds. I'm 215 now and I'm 5'5". Not on birth control of any kind.
I had this same issue when I was in a deep cut. I was eating around 1,300 calories but running for 45-60 minutes and lifting for 90-120 minutes per day, very strictly. I ended up skipping my period two months in a row. Some doctor told me that I had PCOS (with NO actual symptoms..) and upon getting a second opinion I was told to either up cals or decrease time at the gym. Did just that and BAM. Back to normal once again.
Commonly girls in bikini prep will have wonky periods. When you get to a low BF% and are strenuously working out your muscles it can throw off hormones.2 -
I lost 59lbs, copper IUD (no hormones) and my period is just as heavy as it was when I was 221lbs. I've heard however that having a large calorie deficit for an extended period of time can cause your body to conserve energy and the menstrual cycle can be one of those processes that stops. Which would be a problem. You've lost 15lbs though and I'm not sure how long you've been cutting calories so I doubt that's what is happening.
Might be something you should bring up to your Dr!2 -
I do competitions and when I cut/prep - or when my body fat % is drastically reduced my period vanishes entirely. For me personally it comes down to body fat. Too little and my monthly is non-existent. Borderline and I'll get a little spotty for a day or two. Enough body fat and it's back regularly.0
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My period got lighter and my cramps are less severe after losing weight. Win!5
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Losing weight made mine more regular, swapping to csp lightened and shortened them0
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gamerbabe14 wrote: »I lost 59lbs, copper IUD (no hormones) and my period is just as heavy as it was when I was 221lbs. I've heard however that having a large calorie deficit for an extended period of time can cause your body to conserve energy and the menstrual cycle can be one of those processes that stops. Which would be a problem. You've lost 15lbs though and I'm not sure how long you've been cutting calories so I doubt that's what is happening.
Might be something you should bring up to your Dr!
I've been tested for PCOS because of heavy periods often a week late. I don't have it. I do have a small ovarian cyst though - not big enough for treatment. I thought weight loss was regulating my period because I had it exactly the same day in December as November but now this one was 3 days late and light. I've been cutting for 69 days but nothing severe, around 1600 calories0 -
I don't know if it causes a lighter period, but it certainly changes your period!1
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I don't know if it causes a lighter period, but it certainly changes your period!
Yes, I'd say the same thing. I've had late periods, early periods, short, long, heavy and light while at a deficit. I even had night sweats which I had attributed to possible peri menopause, but it all went back to normal when I reverted to more calories and gained weight back. Now I'm at a deficit again, and having wonkier cycles and night sweats again (not frequently, tho).0 -
ruqayyahsmum wrote: »Losing weight made mine more regular, swapping to csp lightened and shortened them
What is csp?0 -
Iwantahealthierme30 wrote: »Any experiences with this? All of a sudden my period is lighter after being heavy for so long, does it have to do with what I'm eating, weight loss, or what? I've lost 15 pounds. I'm 215 now and I'm 5'5". Not on birth control of any kind.
Not for me. It is normal but it might change when I lose a lot more weight and get closer to goal.0 -
Weight loss messes with my period. Lighter? Maybe. I've gone through all kinds of changes with it. Also, just getting older changes it too.
When I'm in a deep deficit my period gets light. When I'm super lean it vanishes. I know it's probably not the healthiest but my periods are so drastic and painful, I almost prefer it
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SeptemberFeyre wrote: »ruqayyahsmum wrote: »Losing weight made mine more regular, swapping to csp lightened and shortened them
What is csp?
Cloth sanitary protection
Over the years I was getting allergic reactions to disposables, could no longer use any brand so I swapped to cloth though others use cups, sponges etc2 -
ruqayyahsmum wrote: »SeptemberFeyre wrote: »ruqayyahsmum wrote: »Losing weight made mine more regular, swapping to csp lightened and shortened them
What is csp?
Cloth sanitary protection
Over the years I was getting allergic reactions to disposables, could no longer use any brand so I swapped to cloth though others use cups, sponges etc
Oh my!0 -
ruqayyahsmum wrote: »SeptemberFeyre wrote: »ruqayyahsmum wrote: »Losing weight made mine more regular, swapping to csp lightened and shortened them
What is csp?
Cloth sanitary protection
Over the years I was getting allergic reactions to disposables, could no longer use any brand so I swapped to cloth though others use cups, sponges etc
Oh my!
I know it seems radical, but switching to a Diva Cup changed my life, too. I was also having... unpleasant... reactions to traditional pads and tampons. Some women report a lighter flow, but I'm not that lucky. It did help some with cramps though.3 -
ruqayyahsmum wrote: »SeptemberFeyre wrote: »ruqayyahsmum wrote: »Losing weight made mine more regular, swapping to csp lightened and shortened them
What is csp?
Cloth sanitary protection
Over the years I was getting allergic reactions to disposables, could no longer use any brand so I swapped to cloth though others use cups, sponges etc
Oh my!
I know it seems radical, but switching to a Diva Cup changed my life, too. I was also having... unpleasant... reactions to traditional pads and tampons. Some women report a lighter flow, but I'm not that lucky. It did help some with cramps though.
I've come to term with the diva cup. But the disposables is...different.
I don't think I could deal with the cup. Like...how am I going to work with kids all day and then go squat 200+ pounds with that thing in? Seems messy.0 -
ruqayyahsmum wrote: »SeptemberFeyre wrote: »ruqayyahsmum wrote: »Losing weight made mine more regular, swapping to csp lightened and shortened them
What is csp?
Cloth sanitary protection
Over the years I was getting allergic reactions to disposables, could no longer use any brand so I swapped to cloth though others use cups, sponges etc
Oh my!
I know it seems radical, but switching to a Diva Cup changed my life, too. I was also having... unpleasant... reactions to traditional pads and tampons. Some women report a lighter flow, but I'm not that lucky. It did help some with cramps though.
I've come to term with the diva cup. But the disposables is...different.
I don't think I could deal with the cup. Like...how am I going to work with kids all day and then go squat 200+ pounds with that thing in? Seems messy.
It can be, at first, since there is a learning curve. Public restroom can be challenging, but I can even manage that now. I'm lucky to have a private restroom at work. I use backup on heavy days (cloth as well, but I also used cloth diapers on my youngest kiddo and am not the least bit squicky about that sort of thing) but don't need anything else after day 2.5ish.
Not sure sure about squatting 200+ pounds since I don't
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Yep could definitely be due to weight loss and calorie restriction. Mine gets pretty light/skips months when I’m cutting and pretty lean. I think it’s great personally lol. I wish I could get rid of it altogether, it’s so annoying every month.0
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ruqayyahsmum wrote: »SeptemberFeyre wrote: »ruqayyahsmum wrote: »Losing weight made mine more regular, swapping to csp lightened and shortened them
What is csp?
Cloth sanitary protection
Over the years I was getting allergic reactions to disposables, could no longer use any brand so I swapped to cloth though others use cups, sponges etc
Oh my!
I know it seems radical, but switching to a Diva Cup changed my life, too. I was also having... unpleasant... reactions to traditional pads and tampons. Some women report a lighter flow, but I'm not that lucky. It did help some with cramps though.
I've come to term with the diva cup. But the disposables is...different.
I don't think I could deal with the cup. Like...how am I going to work with kids all day and then go squat 200+ pounds with that thing in? Seems messy.
Eh the cloth is same shape as disposables but feels a hell of a lot nicer
Zipped wet bag when out for the used ones and throw it in wet box to soak in cold salt water at home
I wash them separately as I can't deal with the thought of washing them with my clothes
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It's nice to know it's not just me. My first low carb month was early and light. 2nd month I went to counting calories, not much weight loss yet, and it was early again, but pretty normal flow. This month is my first month with a big weight loss and it was a little early, but only lasted a day?? I usually bleed for 7. I was at a big deficit most of the month, I'm guessing that is why...0
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My periods got a little heavier, but about a day shorter. I have always had fairly light and no cramps, but now after losing 60 pounds the first two days are pretty heavy for me and the last two are lighter and only spotting on the last day.
I was morbidly obese and am now just obese though, and obesity screws with hormones. I have no idea how it'll change as I continue to lose.0 -
I lost about 30 lbs and didn’t notice any change. But I’m perimenopausal so who knows.0
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If youre lean and lose your period, you need to put on fat ASAP to prevent long term problems.
Thats directed at readers generally, to make sure no one reads this and thinks "ah its common, so thats fine"
Are you doing much exercise? Ive never noticed weight affect my period, but exercise does (makes it lighter).
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So far my periods seem to be heavier the first couple of days then very light. A change from heavy/moderate the whole time. They are a day or two longer now, it seems. But bloating, cramps and pms have drastically improved since losing 60 pounds. All in all, it's a win for me!0
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I believe so, my period use to stay on for 7 days prior to losing weight now it stays on 3 days and I couldn't be happier 0
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When I was on a fairly large deficit it was lightish and very irregular but once I upped my calories it's normal-heavy. It varies month-month.
I had the mirena IUD for 5 years and I opted not to get another one (it got stuck and needed surgery to get it out so no thanks). I completely forgot what it was like to have a period LOL..... it sucks, periods suck.0 -
When I got into my early to mis 30s my period went from heay 4 days a week to 2 days at the beginning that are heavy and 2 days of spotting. The cramping comes and goes. Some months my period takes me completely by surprise and some months the cramps are so bad. But nothing weight related.0
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Body fat influences your endocrine system. You can experience changes in your cycle as you lose, and it can keep changing every so often as you lose body fat. You can also experience bouts of acne or sudden clearing of the skin, appetite changes, etc. that go along with hormone swings.1
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Mine did not change until some time after I lost some weight so I don't think weight loss was the cause. I am 43 years so my period changing is not unexpected.1
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I've always found that when I was exercising or exceptionally active my period would be lighter. The more sedentary I was the heavier. But that maybe is just me.0
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