Loss of period

theconstantgardener
theconstantgardener Posts: 59 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Haven't had a period since last June. I am still in the normal category for my BMI and am now focusing on maintaining rather than losing weight. I REALLY don't want to have to regain weight, I have even tried putting back on about 4 pounds but my period still didn't come back so it's not like just a little bit will make a difference. I tend to eat very healthily but I do still eat chocolate etc in moderation. My diet is very low fat so if I increase the amount of healthy fats without increasing overall calories do you think this could help me get my period back? Thank you everyone for help in advance. xx

Replies

  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    Have you seen a doctor about it?
  • theconstantgardener
    theconstantgardener Posts: 59 Member
    I want to see if I can sort it out on my own first because if I'm just told to gain weight that won't help me at all. I will book an appointment soon but if that's the only advice I'm given then I'd appreciate other help from anyone else who's had the same issue :)
  • Ssand_257
    Ssand_257 Posts: 90
    I have heard that women who are extremely active can lose their periods, so its not unheard of, but it is definitely something you should talk to your doctor about
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    It could be something as simple as a hormone imbalance that can be remedied with birth control pills. That's what happened to me when I started losing weight, but I agree with ladyraven68, you should definitely make an appt with your ob/gyn.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    If you have amenorrhoea it could be a number of factors:

    http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Menstruation_amenorrhoea

    Seeing your Doc should be the first port of call.
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    I want to see if I can sort it out on my own first because if I'm just told to gain weight that won't help me at all. I will book an appointment soon but if that's the only advice I'm given then I'd appreciate other help from anyone else who's had the same issue :)

    How much do you weigh, and how many calories have you been eating?

    Do you take any vitamin/mineral supplements ?

    It's not just about being a low weight, it's about your body having adequate nutrition to perform it's natural functions. e.g lack of iron
  • anon189
    anon189 Posts: 42
    You really should see your dr, sooner rather than later. Last year when I was 105 lbs I was still in the normal range for my BMI but my period starting going away. I was only getting it about every other month and it was almost nothing. I wanted to get pregnant was one reason I went to the dr and they did tell me I needed to gain, even if it was just 5 lbs and it might take a few months to regulate again. But no period means no ovulation. It doesn't seem like trying to get pregnant is a concern for you, but you should still make sure it's not something serious making it go away.
  • JaimieAG
    JaimieAG Posts: 48
    Agreed it something for the doc.

    Try to keep an open mind to a little weight gain if that's recomended.

    For my height 125lbs is still in the "healthy weight" range but my body starts rebelling at anything lower than the 130s. I start getting that layer of fine hair all over my body (down-like), I'm cold all the time, I'm exhausted and find it hard to focus. And if I slip into my low 120s that's when I start losing my lady time, my nails & sometimes my hair. When I get that down-like hair & the chills that's when I know I need to ease up. When I start losing normal body function I know it's time to increase the calorie intake.

    Always listen to your body. EDs are very tricky things. There's a lot of gray area. It's great to look & feel nice. The most important thing is your health.
  • srpm
    srpm Posts: 275 Member
    Also remember it might not be your weight that is the problem, have you checked your BF%? You can be a healthy weight and still have too low of a BF% but there are tons of other problems that can also be an issue, things like cysts, polyups, . You should probably go the doctor sooner rather than later if your BMI, Weight, and BF are all in the healthy range.

    Also--your body stores excess hormones in fat which is part of the reason that the first thing doctors tell women who are having these sorts of problems and are overweight that loosing weight can help, it is possible that you have a hormonal problem that your body kind of self regulated by storing the hormones instead of recirculating them if you are now at a healthy level.

    There lots of other, bigger possible causes than just weight loss especially if gaining a little back didn't fix the problem.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    You really should see your dr, sooner rather than later. Last year when I was 105 lbs I was still in the normal range for my BMI but my period starting going away. I was only getting it about every other month and it was almost nothing. I wanted to get pregnant was one reason I went to the dr and they did tell me I needed to gain, even if it was just 5 lbs and it might take a few months to regulate again. But no period means no ovulation. It doesn't seem like trying to get pregnant is a concern for you, but you should still make sure it's not something serious making it go away.

    Seriously... go to the doctor. It might not have anything to do with your weight at all. It could be an ovarian cyst, and if it ruptures, it could kill you.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    Do see a doctor, but don't freak out. We're all different.

    Until I was in my late 20's and had a child, I often went months between periods. I blamed it on a lot of things, but now that I have gained and now -relost that weight I realize it was because I was thin.

    Like you, I never was underweight - healthy BMI. But I was below average on BMI and FOR ME, that was low enough to stop my period because I also exercised a lot.

    I gained weight and was regular for basically 20 years. I've lost the weight again, I'm still average BMI (22 right now, I think) and I'm irregular again.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    A doctor is much more qualified to answer this question for you than we are on the forums. There are many possible causes, but your doctor should be the one diagnosing and treating this.
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
    I'd go to the doctor.

    Are you eating enough fat? Do you do very heavy exercise?
  • doubleduofa
    doubleduofa Posts: 284 Member
    Yes, you should see a Dr, but my first thought is to increase fat intake. I don't know how many calories you are eating or what your diet looks like (besides you saying it's low fat). I would add a few hundred calories to what you are eating instead of replacing calories. Try adding 300 calories of fat - it's pretty easy. 1/2 large avocado - 125 calories - great on sandwiches or on chicken breast (with lemon juice in it). 1/4 cup (or about 22) almonds - 140 calories. Great as a snack with an apple. And 1 tbsp of olive oil - 120 calories - add to things like tuna or on salad.

    Start with just the almonds for a few days, then add the avocado, and so on...

    Fat does not make you fat - you need to remember that.
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    You should see a doctor. Losing your period can be a result of a lot of different things. It could be hormones, it could be too low of a weight/body fat % or it could be some other medical issue. It is best to see your doctor about it to see if they can recommend any issues that could be causing it.
  • SoViLicious
    SoViLicious Posts: 2,633 Member
    That's bad. unless your preggo, then that's even worse. But all in all it's bad.
  • blueimp
    blueimp Posts: 230 Member
    If it's really been since June, you should delay no longer. It could be so much more than just weight; if that is the case then delay will just make it worse. Do the smart thing, see the doc.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I want to see if I can sort it out on my own first because if I'm just told to gain weight that won't help me at all. I will book an appointment soon but if that's the only advice I'm given then I'd appreciate other help from anyone else who's had the same issue :)

    This is not a good enough reason to avoid the doctor.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    What is your net calories over the course of five days leading to your period? Netting below one's energy availability (net) threshold can disrupt LH pulsatility and ovarian function.
  • krissielynn87
    krissielynn87 Posts: 214 Member
    The only time I've ever lost my period was when I was in Basic Training.
    High stress caused my period to go away.
    It was gone for the 2 months I was there, plus an additional 3 after I got discharged.
    Please see a doctor
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    I hope you have that nursery ready for next month!
  • Rho_Ro
    Rho_Ro Posts: 201 Member
    .....am now focusing on maintaining rather than losing weight.

    Your ticker sez you want to lose another 6 lb and from my quick look it appears you've already lost about 10 lb. Your profile picture shows two young and beautifully slim girls so if one of them is you, I'm not sure where the 6 lb would come from.

    If you've had a major shock recently, such as the death of a close family member or traumatic news that really affected you, then that may cause your periods to stop. But honestly, I would be going to the doctor. In fact I did when I was in my early 20's for the same reason but mine was due to a death in the family. The diagnosis was made after everything else was checked out.

    You need to make the decision, do you want to be healthy with periods, or do you want to head for anorexia which could only be a stone's throw away. I'm not qualified I don't know, but I think you probably do.

    Take care.
  • laurab1217
    laurab1217 Posts: 123 Member
    I'm pregnant right now, but I have had this problem in the past...mostly when I was a teenager competing in cross country/track...but also off and on when I am under a lot of stress....there have been times in which I was training for a half marathon but not under stress and I still got my period. But I do know that you need a certain percentage of body fat to menstruate....it's definitely not something you should try to deal with yourself, because I was told that after 3 months of not getting a period it can cause bone loss. See your doctor because they will run blood tests to check your hormone levels and to see if you are anemic. Usually they will prescribe you birth control to correct the problem. That worked for me in the past. It's definitely not something you should ignore!
  • laurab1217
    laurab1217 Posts: 123 Member
    Also, if you are concerned about taking the pill to correct it, usually they only prescribe it for 3 months to correct the problem....and you can request a low dose.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Amenorrhea can be very serious. Yes, low weight, undernourishment, extremely low bf%, over exercising are just a few reasons for loss of period. You need to see a doctor. Other reasons are medical including hormonal imbalance, stds, or worse. A woman should never take issues concerning her reproductive system lightly, go see a doctor before you start risking a more permanent situation.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Your diary is closed and all we have is a symptom.

    We are not physicians and have no information to go on.

    Don't seek medical advice for a vague symptom from yahoos on the internet.
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    My cousin ignored her missing period for two years. She ended up with an ovarian cyst the size of a grapefruit. She no longer possesses the ability to conceive. If the issue with not seeing a doctor is health insurance, there are ways around that. Please don't waste anymore time.

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