question for the ladies...TMI for the guys

meganjcallaghan

though I suppose anybody's free to look if you want. lol...

Have any ladies who have rapidly lost a significant amount of weight experienced amenorrhea? I was fine up until about 10 pounds ago (which has been far slower in coming off than the rest of it...like 3 months or so now) but all of a sudden the well has dried up and I'm curious about the possibility that perhaps although my BMI says I'm fine and I don't LOOK terribly underweight, the excess skin might be giving me a false sense of security that my weight isn't too low. I would only estimate that I have about 10 pounds of excess skin which would put my "real" weight in the upper 120s and 10 pounds above "underweight", but I have heard of people who lost just over half of what I have and had 20 - 25 pounds of skin removed, so I suppose it's possible that I could be under estimating what I call my "useless" weight.....anyhoo, just wondering if anybody else has had this and if it evened itself out, or if you had to put some fat back on (I'm thinking of heading back up to 145 - 148 zone)

caracrawford1

Yes. Because the weight was lost too quickly. As soon as I went to a nutritionist and added a bit more fat back in to my diet, they returned.
Eta: mine were missing for eight months. I have never been very overweight so 40lbs was enough to trigger this. And after 30 I am well within ideal weight.

DrJenO

How many missed months are we talking about?

meganjcallaghan

well, for as far back as I can remember (though I've only been tracking through "mymonthlycycles" for the last 5 years or so to be able to say for sure) I've had a 37 day cycle just about like clockwork. I went to a 34 or 35 day cycle a handful of times. I'm trying to donate my kidney so about 4 months back I had to go visit the donor team at the hospital it would be done at for some testing (CT scan and renogram). 2 days later on day 28 of my cycle - bam - there it was. I figured something to do with one of the tests must have done something because I've rarely been early, period ('scuze the pun) let alone 9 days early. I hoped it was a one time thing because, quite frankly, my longer cycles are stinkin' convenient. Unfortunately the next month I was day 28 again. Oh no....is there a pattern developing?....the next month I barely spotted on day 28 and thought maybe I was switching back to my usual and it would come back full force in the next 9 days or so....nada. I'm now at about day 41 since that day and there's no sign of anything.

caracrawford1

well, for as far back as I can remember (though I've only been tracking through "mymonthlycycles" for the last 5 years or so to be able to say for sure) I've had a 37 day cycle just about like clockwork. I went to a 34 or 35 day cycle a handful of times. I'm trying to donate my kidney so about 4 months back I had to go visit the donor team at the hospital it would be done at for some testing (CT scan and renogram). 2 days later on day 28 of my cycle - bam - there it was. I figured something to do with one of the tests must have done something because I've rarely been early, period ('scuze the pun) let alone 9 days early. I hoped it was a one time thing because, quite frankly, my longer cycles are stinkin' convenient. Unfortunately the next month I was day 28 again. Oh no....is there a pattern developing?....the next month I barely spotted on day 28 and thought maybe I was switching back to my usual and it would come back full force in the next 9 days or so....nada. I'm now at about day 41 since that day and there's no sign of anything.

It sounds like you have irregular cycles at the moment which could be caused by stress esp since you are donating a kidney. It does not sound like you have missed a period--yet. When I missed mine I missed it. Nothing. No spotting. I am 28 days on the dot, no cramping, no drama just 2-3 days and done(yes, I am blessed). Give it a few more days. At the time I missed mine I wasn't sexually active with anyone so that definitely wasn't a possibility they just were GONE. For MONTHS. You haven't truly missed it yet.

DrJenO

Yeah, I'd make sure it's not the obvious and then just give it some time.

BoxerBrawler

Yes, this has happened to me as well.

I went to my doctor and got thorough physical exam, blood tests, etc.

She said it was most likely a combination of my nutrition (I lost weight rapidly but ate very clean), and my age. I am around the age where these things happen so... All of my tests were normal. She told me unless I experience any detrimental physical things, not to worry about it. Plus, I am at an age where kids are out of the question so... I believe it is mostly due to nutrition but I am not trying to have it come back either.

meganjcallaghan

Alright....yeah, I would REALLY like to avoid going to the doctor. I've not yet had to have "the exam" because while I am 33 I have never been sexually active because as a Christian, my plan is to get myself hitched first and that hasn't happened as yet. I know there's a wackload of medical professionals who insist that once you hit your 20s you MUST have this done regardless of sexual activity or lack thereof, but there are also more and more medical professionals (including my own doctor) who disagree with that and say if you aren't having issues there is no reason to have it done if you're not doin' the deed (which would make sense, as I've read that the majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV...which you generally get from having sex). Unfortunately, if I had to go in for this it would count as an issue, and what's the first thing they'd be wanting to do? "Hop up on the table and spread 'em!". No thanks. Also, when you're 33, try convincing anyone in the health field that a pregnancy test would be a waste of everyone's time and resources. I'm sure that argument would just piss me off.

As for stress, that might make sense. Not so much for the donation testing as a rule....I've been at this for a year. But they do keep making me jump through insanely invasive hoops that, from what I hear, are NOT the usual....such as making me get a bone marrow biopsy a week and a half ago for blood counts that were so marginally below "normal" that the hematologist they had me consult with said he wouldn't have ordered it if it weren't for them. Considering local anaesthetic doesn't affect me (like 100% no numbing, but they never believe me...so they just keep pumping it in thinking I need more...which just prolongs the painful process because that crap stings and there's no numbing to take over) and I'm also apparently quite drug resistant in general (knowing the local wouldn't work and that they would refuse any alternatives because they wouldn't believe me, I popped 3 T3s and 2 Ativan beforehand, washing it down with some hard liquor since I read that should compound the effects....I might as well have saved the $20 on the prescription and popped some M&Ms for all the difference they made) that was hands down the most excruciatingly painful and drawn out (she took an hour and a half and several failed attempts for this "15 minute" procedure) experience of my life. Keeping in mind freezing has never worked - I've had 2 root canals, numerous stitches, tore the ligaments in my ankle and walked home on it, lodged a nail up under my knee cap and had chicken pox so bad they were on the inside of my eyelids....the pain of all these things combined can't begin to touch what she did to me......and then there were the comments like "isn't it funny how it's always the skinny ones who take the most freezing".....and "megan stop that. stop moving. you stop that right now. you're moving the needle. stop that" after I had been there for an hour of her digging with what felt like a steak knife and a melon baller and couldn't hold back the sobbing anymore.....I've barely been able to sleep and often have nightmares ever since. So perhaps it is the stress of THAT whole unnecessary event that has me messed up. On that note can such slight anemia cause this?

nerdymathgrrl

The only way to predict when your period will start is to know when you ovulated, which you would only know by taking basal body temperature. Your luteal phase should be the same number of days each cycle (it may fluctuate by a day, but is pretty consistent). So if you had clockwork cycles, it was because you ovulated on the same day each month. Given the amount of stress you've been under, I'd say it's highly likely that you had a delayed ovulation, and therefore this cycle will be longer. At least you don't have to worry about being pregnant! :-)

meganjcallaghan

The only way to predict when your period will start is to know when you ovulated, which you would only know by taking basal body temperature. Your luteal phase should be the same number of days each cycle (it may fluctuate by a day, but is pretty consistent). So if you had clockwork cycles, it was because you ovulated on the same day each month. Given the amount of stress you've been under, I'd say it's highly likely that you had a delayed ovulation, and therefore this cycle will be longer. At least you don't have to worry about being pregnant! :-)

lol, yes at least there's that. Though I was talking to someone who has been trying desperately to GET pregnant and she said her specialist told her not having any P.M.S, cramping or any other of the usual "periods suck" sort of symptoms (which she has never had) is a good indication that you're NOT ovulating at all. Apparently she hasn't been....hence the not getting pregnant. I've never had any such issues either, so I wonder if I ovulate at all. I suppose I'd have to get that checked out, should I ever actually bait and catch me a husband and wish to procreate :P lol

justcat206

When my cycle got messed up they thought I might have polyps, which can occur in just about anyone. Might be worth looking into. I had to go on hormone therapy for a while and eventually had an ablation (though I've had children so that's got a little to do with it), but there are plenty of non-sexually related things that can happen in your uterus particularly as hormones change with age. So if things don't regulate soon, it's probably better to see a doctor just to be sure. Good luck!

baba_helly

I think you are being extremely ignorant. You said yourself that a pelvic exam becomes necessary when you are having "issues" regardless of sexual activity. You are having potentially very serious problems and it needs to be checked out. If they want to do a pregnancy test alongside their other procedures to completely rule it out, let them. It will not harm you. Not going to the doctor because you feel you shouldn't have to based on your sexual inactivity is completely ridiculous.

Cyndesire

It is not uncommon for weight loss to throw your hormones out of wack. When I first started dropping the weight this happened. Now they are 28 days exactly. You have lost a lot of weight. Give your body time to adjust before getting too worked up. That will only make it worse. If you continue to miss then adding some calories to your diet may help. Good luck.

rileymama

Haha! I had my period go away when I lost a lot of weight and started exercising hard...it was only 13 weeks..then 8, then 5 for a few months before it got back to normal. About the not having the periods suck stuff...lol...I have never had rough periods, weight gain, cramps, etc..and I have 6 kids....so obviously I ovulate :P

Edited to add....I SAW a doctor when I hadn't had my period for 7 weeks..they did blood work, a blood pregnancy test (had taken plenty of those at home already :P) thyroid check and a basic panel. All came back normal and I did eventually get back on track. When I was pregnant again and my OB was trying to figure out due dat I explained my sporadic cycles (I was pregnant shortly after they STARTED getting back to normal) and he agreed it was probably from the diet/exercise, but was glad I had ruled out a medical condition

MinnieInMaine

(snip)
On that note can such slight anemia cause this?

Anemia can have various affects on the menstrual cycle. And skipped and light periods happen. However, it's now been well over a month since you even spotted so it's probably a good idea to call in for an appointment with your doc. We all know pelvic exams aren't the happiest moments of our lives but hon, you gotta realize this is a big part of taking care of your overall health. It might be time to finally bite the bullet. You might not have any pain or discharge and still have something going on. Better to be safe than sorry, right?

Also, your doc knows your history so I can't imagine they'd try to push a pregnancy test on you. But if they do, you can refuse.

meganjcallaghan

I think you are being extremely ignorant. You said yourself that a pelvic exam becomes necessary when you are having "issues" regardless of sexual activity. You are having potentially very serious problems and it needs to be checked out. If they want to do a pregnancy test alongside their other procedures to completely rule it out, let them. It will not harm you. Not going to the doctor because you feel you shouldn't have to based on your sexual inactivity is completely ridiculous.

keyword being "potentially"....and the general consensus from everyone else seems to be that it's a little too soon to worry about it, so I guess we're all ignorant for thinking I don't need to jump to making an appointment for someone to check out my junk right this second.

bizgirl26

I am 5 foot 7 . 20 years ago I lost a lot of weight and went down to 113 pounds. I lost my period for 18 months. My Dr was really concerned and wanted me to gain weight. He was worried I was suceptible to bone loss and ran a whole bunch of tests. As soon as I gained 15 pounds it cam back. I dont know if he was right or wrong just telling you my experience

wheird

Congrats on the baby, OP!

baba_helly

I think you are being extremely ignorant. You said yourself that a pelvic exam becomes necessary when you are having "issues" regardless of sexual activity. You are having potentially very serious problems and it needs to be checked out. If they want to do a pregnancy test alongside their other procedures to completely rule it out, let them. It will not harm you. Not going to the doctor because you feel you shouldn't have to based on your sexual inactivity is completely ridiculous.

keyword being "potentially"....and the general consensus from everyone else seems to be that it's a little too soon to worry about it, so I guess we're all ignorant for thinking I don't need to jump to making an appointment for someone to check out my junk right this second.

Good luck on your journey :flowerforyou:

wheird

I think you are being extremely ignorant. You said yourself that a pelvic exam becomes necessary when you are having "issues" regardless of sexual activity. You are having potentially very serious problems and it needs to be checked out. If they want to do a pregnancy test alongside their other procedures to completely rule it out, let them. It will not harm you. Not going to the doctor because you feel you shouldn't have to based on your sexual inactivity is completely ridiculous.

keyword being "potentially"....and the general consensus from everyone else seems to be that it's a little too soon to worry about it, so I guess we're all ignorant for thinking I don't need to jump to making an appointment for someone to check out my junk right this second.

I agree. Why catch a potential medical issue early?

#yolo

devil_in_a_blue_dress

Wouldn't it make more sense to just go to the doctor and get some real medical advice?

ew_david

Let me get this straight...you are trying to donate a kidney but you won't go to the gynecologist?

meganjcallaghan

the articles I've found on it all seem to say it's time to make an appointment if you miss 3 months, so I'll give it that much anyway. I was just wondering if anybody else had experienced this is all.

AsaThorsWoman

Bump

zyxst

No, I have not been "lucky" (imo) to miss a period because of weight loss.

I agree with people suggesting you go get a pap smear/see a gyno. Just because you haven't had intercourse doesn't mean you get a free pass on STDs. Common warts are in the HPV family and you certainly don't need sex to get those.

wheird

the articles I've found on it all seem to say it's time to make an appointment if you miss 3 months, so I'll give it that much anyway. I was just wondering if anybody else had experienced this is all.

Why get snarky if the articles you read suggested the same thing as baba? :huh:

srslybritt

well, for as far back as I can remember (though I've only been tracking through "mymonthlycycles" for the last 5 years or so to be able to say for sure) I've had a 37 day cycle just about like clockwork. I went to a 34 or 35 day cycle a handful of times. I'm trying to donate my kidney so about 4 months back I had to go visit the donor team at the hospital it would be done at for some testing (CT scan and renogram). 2 days later on day 28 of my cycle - bam - there it was. I figured something to do with one of the tests must have done something because I've rarely been early, period ('scuze the pun) let alone 9 days early. I hoped it was a one time thing because, quite frankly, my longer cycles are stinkin' convenient. Unfortunately the next month I was day 28 again. Oh no....is there a pattern developing?....the next month I barely spotted on day 28 and thought maybe I was switching back to my usual and it would come back full force in the next 9 days or so....nada. I'm now at about day 41 since that day and there's no sign of anything.

It sounds like you have irregular cycles at the moment which could be caused by stress esp since you are donating a kidney. It does not sound like you have missed a period--yet. When I missed mine I missed it. Nothing. No spotting. I am 28 days on the dot, no cramping, no drama just 2-3 days and done(yes, I am blessed). Give it a few more days. At the time I missed mine I wasn't sexually active with anyone so that definitely wasn't a possibility they just were GONE. For MONTHS. You haven't truly missed it yet.

Glad to meet another 2-3 day-er. I don't have much drama unless mine is early or late... then I suffer. Horribly.

Anyway, I've never experienced this, but I'm in for the advice/information.

ETA: Never mind, looks like the good advice/information was given but torn down. On to the next. :drinker:

JTick

I just have to say that as a fellow Christian abstaining from sex, spreading them for the doc was the least of my concern when I having period problems. :huh:

LizaDK914

Hmm.. I've heard other people with this problem, so it could be.

Personally, I've done more like what yous started out with. My cycles were closer to 37-40 days, now they're almost right at 28 days.

You're right, the longer cycle is WAY more convenient.

Hope you get things figured out! Don't know how old you are, but if you're older than 25 you should definitely talk to your doc - because any changes after 25 could be something serious.

meganjcallaghan

the articles I've found on it all seem to say it's time to make an appointment if you miss 3 months, so I'll give it that much anyway. I was just wondering if anybody else had experienced this is all.

Why get snarky if the articles you read suggested the same thing as baba? :huh:

because I'm being snarkily chastised for not immediately making an appointment when I'm only 4 days past my usual start day....not 3 months? oh well. I'll try harder just to ignore it next time.

baba_helly

the articles I've found on it all seem to say it's time to make an appointment if you miss 3 months, so I'll give it that much anyway. I was just wondering if anybody else had experienced this is all.

Why get snarky if the articles you read suggested the same thing as baba? :huh:

I don't know how virginity works