my periods have stopped. advice please?

spark409
spark409 Posts: 96
in Motivation and Support
Hi
My periods have stopped due to extreme dieting and exercise.
I've been healthier for about 2-3 months now but my periods have still not come back.

I'd love to hear from any of you other ladies out there who have had this problem.
How did you fix it?
Ive gained weight but my periods are still not coming back.

(personal dets:
5'4, 117 pounds,
exercise about 4 times a week 30min - 1 hour
a mixture of speed intervals and weight training)
«1

Replies

  • jen10st
    jen10st Posts: 325 Member
    Many female athletes stop having periods because they have very low body fat percentages but lots of muscle and are perfectly healthy so I'd be inclined to put it down to that. But if its worrying you you should go to your doctor just to get peace of mind xx
  • doIlhands
    doIlhands Posts: 349 Member
    What do you define as "extreme" diet? How many calories do you eat in a day?
  • llaurenmarie
    llaurenmarie Posts: 1,260 Member
    you... rock
  • spark409
    spark409 Posts: 96
    my body fat % is 20.4

    i have been to a doctor and she was not helpful at all

    all she said was gain weight and your periods will come back.

    my dieting was extreme prob below 1200 so im not surprised
    now im eatin around 1800-2100 calories a day
  • doIlhands
    doIlhands Posts: 349 Member
    Your periods might come back now since you've upped you calories, might not. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you're planning on having a baby soon because it seems like it is from being active. I'm not a doctor though!
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    you... rock

    That is not quite the reaction I was expecting, but thanks! :)
  • sarahslim100
    sarahslim100 Posts: 485 Member
    How old are you? I've had this before due to severe stress. Id go see another doctor. In my case i needed medicine to deal woth the stress and it came back fine; im sure whatever it is a doctor could help. Id choose a female one too. All the best
  • llaurenmarie
    llaurenmarie Posts: 1,260 Member
    you... rock

    That is not quite the reaction I was expecting, but thanks! :)
    kids.. meh. i'd rather be awesome lol
  • Heather_Rider
    Heather_Rider Posts: 1,159 Member
    actually your body shuts down at this point to create another life because you are at that fine line of healthy versus unhealthy and the lord above knows it would be unhealthy for you to create life during this time..

    Im certain all the PCOS mothers who are trying to lose weight in HOPES & PRAYERS to have a child would just LOVE to see this thread.
  • amsy_777
    amsy_777 Posts: 3
    I'd go see your doctor :) A female one

    It could reflect iron levels etc also; so seeing your dr will help you decide if you need to go on medication or could just alter your diet

    All the best :)
  • peachNpunkin
    peachNpunkin Posts: 1,010 Member
    It's because of your body fat content and your activity. A lot of athletes stop having periods. Your body is usually in prestine condition when this occurs. Consider yourself lucky and run like hell with it. Once you decide you want to have a family, you'll just have to eat a bit more and add some fat to your body and they should come back. The same thing happens in women who are severely over weight. Perfectly normal!!! No worries.
  • Off10h8ed
    Off10h8ed Posts: 282 Member
    I think children are AWESOME! Let's face it, if it weren't for children... you wouldn't be here! :P

    That being said. If you are not satisfied with your doctors advice, I strongly suggest you seek out a new doctor.
    If you trust anyone's thoughts on the subject, it should be your doctors. By the sounds of it, yours isn't very good.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    kids.. meh. i'd rather be awesome lol

    Now that's what I'm talking about. Go hard. Procreation is for people who are willing to accept a lesser existence. ;)
    actually your body shuts down at this point to create another life because you are at that fine line of healthy versus unhealthy and the lord above knows it would be unhealthy for you to create life during this time..

    Im certain all the PCOS mothers who are trying to lose weight in HOPES & PRAYERS to have a child would just LOVE to see this thread.

    Did you really just try to refute biology with Jesus? Are you serious?
    Yeah, we can see the wonders that prayer is doing for all of those large sweaty *kitten*, gradually eating their way toward Type 2 diabetes, and filling up the church pews every Sunday.
    Just stop while you're ahead.
  • spark409
    spark409 Posts: 96
    Im 20 years old.

    have seen doctor but yeah.. she was not helpful at all :(

    i guess im wondering when i can expect them to come back.
    im really worried that my periods have stopped PERMANENTLY (pre menopause?) and that i might never be able to have kids.
    ive had NO periods in 2012.

    i guess ill give it a bit more time, hopefully my body will bounce back soon
  • Exquizyt
    Exquizyt Posts: 33
    actually your body shuts down at this point to create another life because you are at that fine line of healthy versus unhealthy and the lord above knows it would be unhealthy for you to create life during this time..

    Im certain all the PCOS mothers who are trying to lose weight in HOPES & PRAYERS to have a child would just LOVE to see this thread.

    Did you really just try to refute biology with Jesus? Are you serious?
    Yeah, we can see the wonders that prayer is doing for all of those large sweaty *kitten*, gradually eating their way toward Type 2 diabetes, and filling up the church pews every Sunday.
    Just stop while you're ahead.

    +1!


    Anyways...

    Are you on any new type of birth control? After switching from the pill to an IUD I don't have my monthly visitor anymore.
  • apocalypsepwnie
    apocalypsepwnie Posts: 373
    actually your body shuts down at this point to create another life because you are at that fine line of healthy versus unhealthy and the lord above knows it would be unhealthy for you to create life during this time..

    Im certain all the PCOS mothers who are trying to lose weight in HOPES & PRAYERS to have a child would just LOVE to see this thread.

    Just stop.
  • claire_90
    claire_90 Posts: 99
    This happened to me last year when I went too extreme... It took about 5 or 6 months to become regular again once reducing my exercising, expanding my meals and regaining to a healthy weight

    so yeah, give it at least 3 months after you reach a healthy state before you worry. ... even then mine came for like a day and that's it... 12 months on and it's all fine again
  • little_lisid
    little_lisid Posts: 47 Member

    have seen doctor but yeah.. she was not helpful at all :(

    Try a different one, I don't think it matters if they are male or female but more whether they'll listen to what you're saying. If you end up wanting kids later you may wish you checked this out now. And if you don't feel statisfied with the answer you get this time see someone else. Judging by the roo in the shot I am assuming your in aus, use medicare, thats what its there for, you'll get most of the cost back.
  • diadojikohei
    diadojikohei Posts: 732 Member
    I was very very thin as a teenager and into my 20's. At 5 foot 9 I weighed 112lb plus I spent 2 to 3 hours most days rock climbing. My periods would go from 3 months to 6 months I was ok with this because when I had them they were very heavy and very painful. I only managed to get pregnant after 7 more years when I had filled out a little and put on weight. I was naturally thin and ate like a horse.
  • MollyKnitter1
    MollyKnitter1 Posts: 1
    No periods. Means too few hormones, which affects bone density, and can cause osteoporosis in later life. Or stress fractures now.....

    Eat enough food every day, this site says never less than 1200, and don't lose too much weight
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    20.4 bodyfat isn't even that low.. Thats around where I am, and I still get a period.

    I'd go get a second opinion from a different doctor.
  • spark409
    spark409 Posts: 96
    okay.. might get a second opinion then

    does anyone know though, if your peiods can permanently stop?
  • PaprikaPrincess
    PaprikaPrincess Posts: 89 Member
    When I was in my teens my period stopped for 9 months due to dieting. I took a few month of eating better for it to come back. I had two boys and 20+ years if periods so no permanent damage was done.
  • katevarner
    katevarner Posts: 884 Member
    my body fat % is 20.4

    i have been to a doctor and she was not helpful at all

    all she said was gain weight and your periods will come back.

    my dieting was extreme prob below 1200 so im not surprised
    now im eatin around 1800-2100 calories a day

    Just keep doing what you are doing for a bit and see how it goes. Or find a different doctor. 20% body fat isn't low enough to stop your period. Either the measurement is incorrect, or there is something else going on. If you continue to eat at your current level for another month or so and it doesn't return, consider finding another gynecologist. Or get your body fat measured by someone else.
  • Simone_King
    Simone_King Posts: 467 Member
    I would get a second doctor opinion on the issue. Something doesn't sound right with this.

    However, I would love to be in your shoes..

    I have PCOS...

    and at times I had my monthly cycle for three months straight. xx

    Anyway, from what I read PCOS affects differently. You may have that. Has the doctor tested you for it?
  • BetterCrazyThanLazy
    BetterCrazyThanLazy Posts: 336
    Im 20 years old.

    have seen doctor but yeah.. she was not helpful at all :(

    i guess im wondering when i can expect them to come back.
    im really worried that my periods have stopped PERMANENTLY (pre menopause?) and that i might never be able to have kids.
    ive had NO periods in 2012.

    i guess ill give it a bit more time, hopefully my body will bounce back soon

    Did you go to your regular doctor or OBGYN?
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    I had an eating disorder when I was younger and my periods completely stopped for a year. I was probably between 85-90 at 5'5. I'm not sure if some of the posts on here about this "being awesome" are serious or sarcastic, but making fun of or belittling a very serious situation for a lot of people is pretty off color - especially on a site where a lot (not all, but a lot) of people are trying to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way. But, I digress.

    OP - It took almost 6 months for me to get healthy and for my periods to resume. They were really light at first - kind of like starting over. If you are serious about getting a grip on this, then I would find a nutritionist who specializes in eating disorder recovery (or extreme athlete recovery) to set you on the right course. I'm not an expert, but I bet that if you sustain a healthy weight your period will come back and it shouldn't impact your ability to have children (of course, barring there are no other issues there).
  • nicolie2012
    nicolie2012 Posts: 18
    kids.. meh. i'd rather be awesome lol

    Now that's what I'm talking about. Go hard. Procreation is for people who are willing to accept a lesser existence. ;)
    actually your body shuts down at this point to create another life because you are at that fine line of healthy versus unhealthy and the lord above knows it would be unhealthy for you to create life during this time..

    Im certain all the PCOS mothers who are trying to lose weight in HOPES & PRAYERS to have a child would just LOVE to see this thread.

    Did you really just try to refute biology with Jesus? Are you serious?
    Yeah, we can see the wonders that prayer is doing for all of those large sweaty *kitten*, gradually eating their way toward Type 2 diabetes, and filling up the church pews every Sunday.
    Just stop while you're ahead.

    Extremely harsh comment, in no way representative of the question asked and belittling women who cannot have children because you choose not to. No child is a burden and no mother is of a lesser existence. It is our choices which make us who we are and just because you're not religious you think it is acceptable to swear at someone who simply made a comment about prayer. Here's a suggestion, grow up and 'pray' you never have to suffer enough to turn to that because you have clearly had an easy life to be that immature.
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
    you... rock
    lol:laugh:
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
    Hi
    My periods have stopped due to extreme dieting and exercise.
    I've been healthier for about 2-3 months now but my periods have still not come back.

    I'd love to hear from any of you other ladies out there who have had this problem.
    How did you fix it?
    Ive gained weight but my periods are still not coming back.

    (personal dets:
    5'4, 117 pounds,
    exercise about 4 times a week 30min - 1 hour
    a mixture of speed intervals and weight training)

    You are doing fine and eating over 1200 calories a day. Unless you are wanting children/a pregnancy I wouldnt worry about it.

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