hows your TOM cycles since you lost weight?..

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Jaymie
Jaymie Posts: 235 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Has anyone found after losing weight they also dont have there periods?
I lost about 8pounds last year and thats supossedly alot for me.. well after that I also lost my periods and still do not have them...
Im not sure if its from the weight loss?? or not .. have run a thousand test and everything seems ok,.. so now my specialist wants me to put that weight back on
OH NO!!!
what to do............????
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Replies

  • jdurham87
    jdurham87 Posts: 62
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    I must say, WOW! That's crazy... I've never heard of that before. I've heard of having problems with periods due to being obese, but not because of losing weight, but hey what do I know!? Looking forward to hearing responses. Sorry about your misfortunes.
  • xTattooedDollx
    xTattooedDollx Posts: 426 Member
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    Ok, ive been eating healthy and going to the gym 5-6 times a week now for two months now and my last cycle was extremely light and lasted 24 hours. This happens every time I diet.
  • MissingMinnesota
    MissingMinnesota Posts: 7,486 Member
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    It's called Amenorrhea if it s just for a couple months I wouldn't worry about it if it is longer then that I would see a doctor.

    "We’ve all heard stories from friends who’ve suddenly lost a lot of weight or begun a strenuous exercise regimen, then stopped getting their period. Anorexic women or those who exercise two to three hours a day can find their menstrual cycles diminish or stop due to a decrease in body fat. These women have low estrogen and are not ovulating. This is called stress-type hypothalamic amenorrhea, and it occurs when poor nutrition and stress alter the brain’s chemistry and hormone pathways. The brain can’t trigger the right hormones for follicle development, which make the necessary estrogens. Women with this irregularity tend to be at higher risk for bone loss (osteoporosis) and other degenerative conditions and should be evaluated. Click here for more information about amenorrhea."

    http://www.womentowomen.com/menstruation/irregularperiods.aspx
  • kajaknowers
    kajaknowers Posts: 113 Member
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    My last two periods have come a week early so I am only on about a 21 day cycle....I assume it must be my body adapting....altho I am a little concerned that you've lost yours....how many calories were you eating and have u seen a doctor?

    x
  • teetee1281
    teetee1281 Posts: 1,076 Member
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    Actually today, I just read an article that mentioned our weight and TOM. Though, the article, was mainly about the healthy BF% for a woman and that too little BF would affect the cycle. On another note, this is my 2nd month but 1st cycle at my goal weight, and I barely had one. It was really only for one day. I still cramped up pretty bad breifly, but then that was it. I think I will give it another month before I really worry, because I have not seen/felt any signs or symptoms to cause me worry. It's just good to know that other's are questioning the same thing.
  • PureAndHealthy
    PureAndHealthy Posts: 539
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    Several years ago, I lost 85 pounds down to 149 and my periods stopped. After 4 months and countless negative pregnancy test I was freaking out about what could be wrong with me. Went to the doctor and had my thyroid checked, did ultrasounds to check for masses, bloodwork... the whole 9 yards. In the end, she concluded that my body was so used to having the estrogen from the fat cells (fat cells produce estrogen as I understand it), that my ovaries never had to produce much, and hadn't gotten the clue that they needed to get busy. So, she started me on hormonal birth control to restart my period and I've been fine ever since. 8 pounds seems like a very small amount to affect your period though... unless you're at an unhealthy BMI, as in too low. Is that why the doctor told you to gain weight?
  • beckybernardo
    beckybernardo Posts: 93 Member
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    Wow, i jsut started my diet and my period is so heavy right now. I would find it a blessing if it stopped altogether. I'm in early menopause, so it would just be great. Good luck to you
  • jillybeanruns
    jillybeanruns Posts: 1,420 Member
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    A lot of anorexics don't have their periods. So yes, losing weight and dipping to a low BF % can definitely affect your cycle. I've lost 20 pounds since January 24th, and my cycle is all kinds of messed up. I don't have massive amounts to lose, so I'm assuming that my body is just trying to adjust to losing so much. My BC pill can't even fix it, but I'm not too worried about it now...if I have issues with it once I start maintaining I'll be more concerned with it.
  • writer190
    writer190 Posts: 51 Member
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    I lost my period about 15 months ago due to unhealthy eating habits (restricting). You can ask your doctor about hormone pills. They didn't work for me, and I was instructed to gain a few pounds and try to maintain that weight. Once your body gets used to that, hopefully, it'll start up again! But it's important to see your doctor if you go more than 6 months without a period, because something the lining of the uterus not shedding can increase your chances of cancer (usually in older women; I don't know how old you are).
  • Jaymie
    Jaymie Posts: 235 Member
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    It's called Amenorrhea if it s just for a couple months I wouldn't worry about it if it is longer then that I would see a doctor.

    "We’ve all heard stories from friends who’ve suddenly lost a lot of weight or begun a strenuous exercise regimen, then stopped getting their period. Anorexic women or those who exercise two to three hours a day can find their menstrual cycles diminish or stop due to a decrease in body fat. These women have low estrogen and are not ovulating. This is called stress-type hypothalamic amenorrhea, and it occurs when poor nutrition and stress alter the brain’s chemistry and hormone pathways. The brain can’t trigger the right hormones for follicle development, which make the necessary estrogens. Women with this irregularity tend to be at higher risk for bone loss (osteoporosis) and other degenerative conditions and should be evaluated. Click here for more information about amenorrhea."

    http://www.womentowomen.com/menstruation/irregularperiods.aspx

    Yeah I just had my bone density test done and its looking slightly low.. come June this year if I dont get my TOM it will be one year without it...
  • Jaymie
    Jaymie Posts: 235 Member
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    My last two periods have come a week early so I am only on about a 21 day cycle....I assume it must be my body adapting....altho I am a little concerned that you've lost yours....how many calories were you eating and have u seen a doctor?

    x

    Kajaknowers

    I was following what MFP determined for me which was 1200. Im 150cm height so not tall. Starting weight 58kilo and I lost 6kilos in about 6months. I exercised 6 days a week for at least an hour a day (cross training or running).. Maybe I over did it...
    Well I have now put almost all that weight I lost back on Im 55kilo now... Im feeling terribly uncomfortable and FAT again1!
    But still no period!!!
    argghhhh
  • Jaymie
    Jaymie Posts: 235 Member
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    I lost my period about 15 months ago due to unhealthy eating habits (restricting). You can ask your doctor about hormone pills. They didn't work for me, and I was instructed to gain a few pounds and try to maintain that weight. Once your body gets used to that, hopefully, it'll start up again! But it's important to see your doctor if you go more than 6 months without a period, because something the lining of the uterus not shedding can increase your chances of cancer (usually in older women; I don't know how old you are).

    Writer190
    Maybe the calorie restriction of eating only 1200 calories per day is too little for my body?? even though Im not a big person to start with.. maybe Im not meant to be any smaller???? My BMI is not low though its 24-25 which says I am heading towards being overweight..
    hmmmmm dont understand...
  • kwardklinck
    kwardklinck Posts: 1,601
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    If you're underweight, you will stop having cycles. How does your BMI measure up? You need to make sure you're in the healthy weight range.
  • jurgitafit
    jurgitafit Posts: 112
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    It's called Amenorrhea if it s just for a couple months I wouldn't worry about it if it is longer then that I would see a doctor.

    "We’ve all heard stories from friends who’ve suddenly lost a lot of weight or begun a strenuous exercise regimen, then stopped getting their period. Anorexic women or those who exercise two to three hours a day can find their menstrual cycles diminish or stop due to a decrease in body fat. These women have low estrogen and are not ovulating. This is called stress-type hypothalamic amenorrhea, and it occurs when poor nutrition and stress alter the brain’s chemistry and hormone pathways. The brain can’t trigger the right hormones for follicle development, which make the necessary estrogens. Women with this irregularity tend to be at higher risk for bone loss (osteoporosis) and other degenerative conditions and should be evaluated. Click here for more information about amenorrhea."

    http://www.womentowomen.com/menstruation/irregularperiods.aspx

    Exactly right. A good answer. I was going to reply in greater detail, but when found your reply here, I feel there is no need to. I had amenorrhea several years back, when my weight got too low because of not taking a proper care of myself and not having normal eating schedule (full-time job, full-time studying, etc.). So, yes, it is all possible when your body has too little fat left. The body is one extremely well-put mechanism, smart enough to stop periods, so you don't bear children in unhealthy way.

    It's also possible that body shuts the periods because of a sudden and extended-time calorie deprivation/ rapid weight loss.
  • writer190
    writer190 Posts: 51 Member
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    There are other reasons you might lose your period, including being overly stressed. Have you talked to your doctor? That's what I'd recommend at this point, since it's been more than 6 months since your last period.
  • godblessourhome
    godblessourhome Posts: 3,892 Member
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    early menopause does happen in 'young' women. i went through menopause at age 27. ask your doc for a hormone test. if they catch it early enough, they can get you back on track.
  • Jaymie
    Jaymie Posts: 235 Member
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    My BMI is actually leaning on the slightly overweight side.. (im not very tall you see) so my BMI is 24.

    I have stopped exercising for the last 2 months

    I am stressed at work.. but I didnt think it was any more than any other peoples work related stress
  • kwardklinck
    kwardklinck Posts: 1,601
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    If it's been a year since you had one, it might be early menopause. Have they tested your hormones?
  • sonjavon
    sonjavon Posts: 1,019 Member
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    You might want to ask your doctor if it could be PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome). PCOS affects many women and one of the leading symptoms of it is loss of menstrual cycles. A woman with PCOS may also experience adult acne, male pattern hair growth (chin, jawline, etc), and various other symptoms. PCOS can happen in smaller as well as larger women.
  • Mom2Emery_Liam
    Mom2Emery_Liam Posts: 149
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    Just wanted to say that my cycle has changed recently. I've lost 8lbs but I am in the overweight bmi range so I still have plenty more to lose!
    My cycle used to be every 29 days...then earlier this year it'd stretch itself out a little longer. Last time I was 5 days late...now I'm STILL waiting on it- 7 days late! I've had spotting though a few days before every period for the last 3-4 cycles. Thinking I'm going to have to see my dr about this b/c I hate being off... stresses me out WAY too much b/c I do NOT want any more children. Plus it could be something serious, so it's worth a visit.

    I don't exercise excessively (lucky if I get in 30 mins 5 days a week) and keep my diet between 1200-1400 calories. However, I have never exercised much my entire life so this is NEW for my body. Thinking if this continues I'll ask to be put on birth control to get things normal again.

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