Need advice - What to do about my weight (123lbs)

mgram2

So I just celebrated my 200th day IN A ROW on myfitness pal - yayy! I completely owe all of my weight loss success to the myfitnesspal app for making it so easy to track my food and make better choices.
So when I began MFP I weighed 162 lbs.. and today I am down to 123 lbs.
I'm really beginning to love the way my body looks and couldn't imagine gaining back any of the weight.. but here is where the problem is. I haven't had my period since March. There was one month where I bled for like a day.. but that was it.
At first I attributed my lack of menstrual cycle to my radically changed eating habits (I started out doing the 1200 thing for two months.. then decided I hated it and upped my calories). And now I'm sure it is because of my low body fat percentage (calculated at 14.8% using http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/). I also thought that perhaps it was because I wasn't eating enough fat in my diet (months ago I was only eating between 15-25 grams a day -- but now I average double that). I typically eat between 1500-1600 calories a day now.. and I'm think about bringing that up a bit (just because I'm no longer really trying to lose weight).
So basically my questions are.. how much do you think I should be eating? What can I do to get my menstrual cycle back? And what do you think of my numbers? Also, I know I can google it -- but what negative health factors do I face because of a low BF% and no menstrual cycle?
It's easy for me to give advice to others.. but really hard to be objective about my own habits.
Please help - any feedback is so greatly appreciated.

In case you're wondering..
I'm 5'5". 23 years old. Medium frame.

kealambert

you are a freakin' cutie

auntdeedee87

Love connection!

urloved33

I hate saying this but...these are questions for a health care professional (dr. nurse practitioner etc) I know that this occurred for girls on our swim teams (I was a swim team mom) but it was not that frequent nor did it last that long. Go see a good health care professional and just print what you wrote here and give it to them.

auntdeedee87

I would talk to either my gyno or a dietician-- (sp, sorry)--

If you're not getting a period, you're likely not ovulating and anything that messes with your reproductive system is a big deal.

Hope things even out for ya, lady!

kealambert

and i realize i didn't offer any advice. sorry

Anna800

First I would talk to a doctor to see what she says. I looked at your diary and I would incorporate nuts, avocado and flaxseed oil. Those are clean, healthy fats. What is the baked pumpkin that you are eating a lot? I'm jealous you can get so many chips and chocolate throughout the day and be at your weight!

cgfol1

I was in the same boat - same age, stats etc. I went to my Gyno and found out I had PCOS. Not to scare you, that was just what was found in my case. Nonetheless, going and seeing a doc is your best bet

dmpizza

I have heard that fat boosts estrogen production so leaner women have less regular periods
What I have also heard is that this is nothing to worry about.

BUT I AM NOT A DOCTOR SO ASK YOURS.

Firefightergirl18

Why I was losing weight I didn't have my period, it was around 8 months. When I went back to "normal" after about a month or 2 my periods got back to normal.

ObtainingBalance

I had this happen to me last year, I had lost my menstrual cycle for over a year..

I was 105 lbs and I am 5'3.

It wasn't "underweight" (according to my BMI) but I say I was probably a low body fat...

I went to a doctor and she couldnt find anything wrong; no imbalance of hormones...

She told me sometimes periods go a bit weird when someone has drastic diet changes or weight loss - it effects your bodies hormones. She told me to make sure to eat enough and not to exercise too much.

I think your body fat is a little low. Just watch how much you exercise and don't over do anything. Keep the fat intake up, I used to eat pretty low fat and that might have been some of what caused my secondary amenoreahh.

Oh and, I started slowly being made to gain weight by my mom...and after that I developing binge eating, and I just started getting depressed with how much I weighed - so I ate, and.... gained weight. Now , I am slightly overwieght (150 lbs last i checked) and my aim is to be 120-130 lbs and no lower.

I would go to a gyno, my doctor wasn't specific or helping enough.

freedski1

There are a lot of different things that can cause a woman to miss her period. Low weight/body fat is one of them, but don't stress... check with your doc, and hopefully things will be flowing smoothly again soon! Cheers!

Lesa_Sass

Yes, you must see your gyno about this as soon as possible.

I know that children probably not on your mind right now but you really should make sure everything is fine before you try to start. I waited until my mid 30s to pay attention to stuff like that and I never was able to have children.

Looking thin is awesome but being healthy is important. If you are doing something to your body that is causing it not to work right, you really need to find out what it is and why.

Good luck.

mgram2

First I would talk to a doctor to see what she says. I looked at your diary and I would incorporate nuts, avocado and flaxseed oil. Those are clean, healthy fats. What is the baked pumpkin that you are eating a lot? I'm jealous you can get so many chips and chocolate throughout the day and be at your weight!

I used to eat a lot of almonds (which I LOVE) ... but found that I got bad heartburn afterwards.
Baked pumpkin is pure pumpkin, egg whites, graham cracker, and chocolate chips cooked in the microwave - super yummy.
And just a note -- the last 2 days of my diary is highly irregular for me.. although I do eat chocolate often as a way of getting enough fat.

mgram2

Yes, you must see your gyno about this as soon as possible.

I know that children probably not on your mind right now but you really should make sure everything is fine before you try to start. I waited until my mid 30s to pay attention to stuff like that and I never was able to have children.

Looking thin is awesome but being healthy is important. If you are doing something to your body that is causing it not to work right, you really need to find out what it is and why.

Good luck.

I already have a 4 year old son.

JenniBaby85

Make sure you are getting enough iron in your diet. That may be an issue.
Also, I don't know if you or someone else mentioned it already but are you on birth control? Certain birth control can cause periods to go away.

mike3519

maybe you're knocked up!!

mgram2

I should also mention I seriously do like no "official" exercise. It is extremely rare that I ever go "work out". My day is basically work (I'm an elementary art teacher).. and home.

mgram2

Make sure you are getting enough iron in your diet. That may be an issue.
Also, I don't know if you or someone else mentioned it already but are you on birth control? Certain birth control can cause periods to go away.

Haven't been on birth control in years.
And to answer someone else's comment - no.. not preggers. haha

AbsoluteNG

This is a common problem in athletic women. Are you extremely active? I'm not a chick so check the link below to see it if helps.
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/triad.html

kealambert

This is a common problem in athletic women. Are you extremely active? I'm not a chick so check the link below to see it if helps.
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/triad.html

she said she does no real exercise outside of work

JuliesS82

I lost mine for a time in college and everyone just assumed it was exercise/diet related.
It was NOT and it took years to come back.

Give your Dr or physcian's asst or nurse practicioner a call.

mgram2

I lost mine for a time in college and everyone just assumed it was exercise/diet related.
It was NOT and it took years to come back.

Give your Dr or physcian's asst or nurse practicioner a call.

Do you mind saying what it was then?
I know that I'm going to have to go see a doctor (guess it's a good thing I finally have health insurance! - new job).
I don't have a doctor yet though.. so I need to find one first.

onyxgirl17

Definitely talk to a doctor. Get your nutrient levels checked. Losing your periods is kind of serious.

ch67guy1

A big congrats on your big weight loss!

Sorry I can't help you with your gyno concerns.

But I couldn't pass on the chance to give you a big high five for your success!

Charley

mgram2

A big congrats on your big weight loss!

Sorry I can't help you with your gyno concerns.

But I couldn't pass on the chance to give you a big high five for your success!

Charley

Thanks

healthynotthin

and i realize i didn't offer any advice. sorry

But your response was the best.

PayneAS

I hate saying this but...these are questions for a health care professional (dr. nurse practitioner etc)

^ Yep

Lesa_Sass

Yes, you must see your gyno about this as soon as possible.

I know that children probably not on your mind right now but you really should make sure everything is fine before you try to start. I waited until my mid 30s to pay attention to stuff like that and I never was able to have children.

Looking thin is awesome but being healthy is important. If you are doing something to your body that is causing it not to work right, you really need to find out what it is and why.

Good luck.

I already have a 4 year old son.

All the more reason to go to the doctor.

FlaxMilk

Not getting your period can cause problems with your bones. To the doctor! :flowerforyou:

Aviva92

123 is not underweight at all. I'd think there is something else wrong.