low carb diet and early period?

alivingdiary

i have been vegetarian for over 8 years, and in these past two weeks i have adapted a low carb, low sugar and low dairy diet.

i'm somewhat active, i have a 15 minutes walk to work that i take twice a day, 5 days a week. i attend yoga for 1 hour, three times a week.

since the diet, there has been plenty of positives! i have lost 5lbs in two weeks, i rarely get bloated, i feel lighter, generally more energetic and my mood has been lifted and i feel less fed up with the daily grind.

i have however, noticed a change in my cycle. the 18th september was the first day of my last cycle. it was heavy but almost pain free - for me this is a amazing! i have to take at least the first day of my cycle off work with seriously restricting period pain and i'm bed ridden with hot and cold flashes, cramps, thigh ache, restlessness, sweats, mood swings, food cravings the LOT!

since my new diet, i began to lightly bleed on day 14 of my cycle. that's only TWO WEEKS since my last period. it started light pink when wiping. the next day it was less diluted and more red, slightly heavier but still only when wiping. and today it's dark red almost brown, heavier, very little in my pants but mostly only when wiping. it isn't bleeding like a normal period. it's super super light...

i've never had spotting or bleeding before. i only ever bleed during my period.

i have heard that a change in diet COULD case an irregular period…but in only two weeks? really?

is this abnormal?
could it be stress?
is this because of my diet?
is 5lbs in two weeks considered a drastic weight loss?
could it even be implantation bleeding?

any kind of help would be appreciated. maybe it isn't anything to do with my diet…
i will wait for my regular due period, which should be around the 16th october and if it's still irregular i will be going to the doctors!

hookilau

I've experienced changes in my cycle as well & I haven't died yet :laugh:

I've been on a keto diet for 2 yrs, I eat less than 20g of carbs per day. My cycle before last was only 21 days long :huh: This month was 26.

I've noticed that the amount of carbs I eat will effect it but it's hard to say how.

independant2406

I ate low carb for most of my teen years and didn't really experience issues with hormones/irregular bleeding. Everyone's body is different though. I do know fat cells can contain hormones so as they die off/shrink away you'll get more hormones in your body for a while so that could be the culprit.

A couple of thoughts... Are you incorporating any new foods into your diet that you weren't before? (I know you mentioned your vegetarian, but is there anything you've added to your diet that might contain hormones in it?) If you take any medications/vitamins/supplements have there been any major changes there?

5lbs in 2 weeks is probably not anything to worry about since starting a new low carb plan can often cause a release of water weight.

You're pretty young so I'd definitely see your doc if it continues!

kgeyser

If you're asking if it's implantation bleeding, then the first step is to take a pregnancy test. If you've ruled out pregnancy, than it could just be an odd cycle due to weight loss or hormones, in which case just record it in your calendar. If you feel like you want to see a doctor, then obviously make an appt, but I would just track it and consult a doctor if there was a concerning trend.

baconslave

Diet definitely shakes up things for women's hormones and so does weight loss (which affects estrogen levels).
My first period on a low-carb diet was 24 days. Then it was 26, 32, and now it has settled back into 28 days with no disturbances the past couple months. It sucks when you have a short cycle. And darn inconvenient...but not anything to stress about.

As kgeyser said, if you become terribly concerned you can see a doctor. But chances are, barring any other freakish symptoms, it is just a "change in diet" cycle blimp. It should stabilize as your body adapts and things will return to a new normal.

luckypony71

An increase in vitamin C will cause your period to start a little early and even some spotting in between. Are the veggies you are eating high in Vitamin C?

cindytw

If I eat on plan (Paleo, Low carb) I definitely notice changes in my cycle. I have been early the last several months, and I often spot a week prior to when I am due, then nothing, then light and then pretty heavy bleeding with grossness I know other women can relate to! I am 40 and have probable fertility issues, have been physically checked out (INVASIVELY!) and nothing is wrong with me. I do have less pain when I am on track, but all the rest is still just YUCK!