Should I See A Doctor?

sc1572

Hello, MFP! I have two issues and am wondering if I should see a doctor on either, or both, or neither! Here's the problem...

I am 19, about 5'5 and have gone from 150 to about 127 since this summer...so about 5-6 months. In the middle of August, about 4 months ago, was the last time I had TOM. In the past 4 months, I haven't had it at all. Along with that, the past 2 months or so, I have had horrible sleeping problems. Regardless of what time I go to bed, I always get up before 8:00 in the morning. I've even had nights where I stayed up to study until 12 or 1, and still woke up at 4 or 5. I try to go back to sleep, and my body tells me I need sleep, but it just won't let me! Sometimes my sleep problems are because I am a college student and I have noisy neighbors and a horrible roommate, but even when I'm home for breaks, like now, or it's the weekend...I still can't! I know I should be getting about 8 hours minimum a night, but the last few weeks I can never get more than 5 or 6 it seems.

I'm currently training for a half marathon, and workout everyday. I started exercising regularly about two years ago, and my major eating changing habits happened this summer when I began MFP.

What do y'all think? Thank you in advance for any responses! If it helps at all...my diary is open! Thank you!

veganbaum

If you haven't had a cycle in four months I would go see a doctor. They might eliminate any serious issues, but considering it's normal to have a monthly cycle the fact that you haven't for a while should be enough to tell you to go to the doctor.

squishycow7

giiiiirrrllll I'm sorry you're having insomniaish issues I have had the same in the past and it can be miserable!

I can't especially guess at why your body (which works so hard!) would not want sleep.

I can assume though that the lack of TOM is pretty normal for your change in weight and especially activity increases. I wouldn't worry too much about that. once you are focusing more on maintaining if it still isn't back, THEN I would worry. for now though I don't think you should be alarmed.

good luck dear xo

JuliesJourney

Yes, go to the doctor.

LeahFerri

I would see an ob/gyn about the first issue, because it's probable that a GP will refer you to an ob/gyn anyway. If you don't have one you see regularly, it might be worthwhile to start looking around for one now.
The sleep issue... I would try some environmental changes while you're at home--making the room completely dark, white noise--or having a very specific routine before you sleep. Avoiding caffeine altogether, things like that. If that doesn't help, getting a referral to a sleep specialist and having a sleep study done might be worthwhile.

turningstar

You're lack of period is probably due to your rapid weight loss and exercise routine. I feel you on the sleep. My son wakes me up constantly, and even though my body tells me to go back to sleep, a lot of times I can't. It stinks.
I would say a visit to the doc wouldn't hurt. Maybe they can give you some advice on the insomnia.

Thirteenlbs

Missing your cycle can be a red flag. Get thee to a physician, woman!

The sleep issues are tough- believe me, I have dealt with them so I understand. I take a half- dose of a drugstore (CVS) brand sleep aid most nights. More than a half dose and I'm groggy. Earplugs + sleep aid have really helped me. In addition, having a set bedtime and a waking time really helps. Now I'm able to sleep 6-8 hours per night without the sleep aid, but it took almost 6 months to get there.

And finally, I find that I sleep VERY poorly when I exercise intensely but don't eat enough (i.e., not eating back my exercise calories). Since you are marathon training, eating those calories back is going to be pretty essential for you, I suspect.

Bentley2718

Yes. The lack of menstruation is worth looking into. It might be caused by something like diet, exercise, stress (this has done it to me in the past), etc. but its worth ruling out something more serious. As for insomnia, talk to a doctor, but in my experience there isn't a whole lot they can do unless you want to take sleeping meds, which have their own issues. It's also worth trying some of the things LeahFerri recommended, sometimes something simple does it.

TourThePast

The most obvious reason for periods stopping is pregnancy. If there is any chance whatsoever that's the case, get yourself tested pdq.

Otherwise, eat at maintenance for a month, if your weight is stable and you still don't have a period, then your exercise regime is definitely not the cause and you need to seek medical attention to find the cause.

becky2967

i would but do remember from time to time it is 100% normal to go upto 6months. i wemt a hole 4months once, which drove me mad we was trying at the time so made it impossible! still dont know why, then returned to every 5-6weeks like it alway has with me. but definatly do see your gp, although i was told upto 6m is normal & for me it was, it could be different reasons for you. to much exercise, pcos, pregnancy, hormonal imbalances,m certain medicine can all effect TOM. X

ahavoc

The only time I ever missed a period was when I was pregnant.

But if that's not the case, you might have your thyroid checked out. The Thyroid regulates so many things, and if you're having insomnia and the loss of your period, the first thing that came to mind to me, is thyroid. Overactive possibly. You don't have to lose a ton of weight to have a wacky thyroid, believe me.

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, so I've had to educate myself. The thyroid regulates everything from your heart rate, your body temperature, your metabolism, you reproductive system hormones, sleep, complexion, hair, you name it. So I'd get it checked out if I were you.

aquapussy

It could just be exercise induced amenorreha http://www.livestrong.com/article/419443-why-does-excessive-exercise-cause-missed-periods . I assume you have ruled out pregnancy. Have you recently stopped taking the pill? That can also mess up your cycle for a good long while. Either way it is important to see a doc and just make sure.

EDIT: Annoying that links seem to only work half the time.

Sherbog

Yes...go to the doctor.

Momma2fourunder5

I would def go to the Dr if I were you!! 4 months is a long time to go w/o TOM if you previously were regular. And if all they say is that everything is normal, then maybe that could help your 2nd problem of not sleeping b/c then you won't have the stress in the back of your head wondering if everything is ok. Peace of mind is definitely worth it to me:)

Elzecat

It could just be exercise induced amenorreha http://www.livestrong.com/article/419443-why-does-excessive-exercise-cause-missed-periods . I assume you have ruled out pregnancy. Have you recently stopped taking the pill? That can also mess up your cycle for a good long while. Either way it is important to see a doc and just make sure.

EDIT: Annoying that links seem to only work half the time.

This. Also...amenorrhea is definitely NOT normal, even if you've had relatively quick weight loss. I lost 40 pounds in about 4 months last spring/summer...no effect on the cycle whatsoever (although I'm much older than you, on oral contraceptives due to fibroids, and probably didn't exercise as much) Please go see your doctor!

As far as insomnia...I find that when I exercise too late at night (like after 8 pm) I have difficulty sleeping. In addition to the other great suggestions about white noise, a bedtime routine, etc., make sure you've left a few hours between exercise and going to bed

Good luck! And congrats on your weight loss so far!

chevy88grl

Honestly? If you need to ask if you should see a doctor, you probably already know the answer.

I would definitely go and have a full blood work up and a full exam. I have issues with insomnia on occasion, but it definitely isn't a chronic problem. And while I've had changes in my cycle since losing weight, it hasn't gone away completely.


Good Luck.

midwifekelley2350

yep...get in to see your health care provider. your problems could be related and possibly due to your thyroid. start with the OB/Gyn.

iheartyarn

go buy "Taking charge of your fertility" read it, then go see a doctor

Laura_Ivy

When I was 18 I moved in with my sister who was vegan and completely changed my diet and I ended up going 3 months without a period. It was crazy! I think a drop in your weight can also mess with your monthly cycle so those two things in combination would screw with it.

BUT, insomnia is something you definitely should ask your doctor about....as active as you are your body seriously needs sleep. I hope you are able to deal with your issues going on right now,hugs!!

hanky1

Re. the sleep - try what the other posters said in terms of having a regular bedtime and improving your 'sleep hygiene' in general e.g. making your room a relaxing environment, having some wind-down time before bed e.g. hot bath, making sure your avoid caffeine and eating late. Try not to get to stressed about your sleep as it will make things worse! 5 or 6 hours sleep is better than none, and actually not everyone needs 8 hours - it really is an individual thing. Hopefully if you relax about it your sleep cycle will naturally sort itself out with time (once it's got into a habit of only having a certain amount of sleep it will take time to adapt to new routines). Also studying until 12 or 1 probably isn't very conducive to sleep if your mind's active until then (am also studying at the mo and that's how it would be for me) so try to finish studying a bit earlier or if that's not possible try to have a wind-down time before bed even if it means you're going to bed later. Relaxation CDs can be helpful with sleep probs too! Hope some of this helps.

carrie_eggo

It could also be your thyroid. Go to the doctor.