Missed period due to "excessive exercise"???

chuisle
chuisle Posts: 1,052 Member
edited September 27 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi All!

How much exercise does it take to prevent periods? All the websites say things like "excessive" and "rigorous" but don't clarify or offer further guidance that I can see.

Background:

I am 23 and currently on the pill. I have been for about 5 years and have been very regular. I started MFP on January 31st and have been cutting calories and exercising an average of 5 times a week since I began. I missed a period that should have come April 12th and never did. Two at home tests were negative and knowing your body is sometimes off cycle I decided to wait a month and see how it goes (with confirmation from my doctor's office to continue on the pill).

This week I am supposed to have my period and while I have been bloated and up 2 lbs for the last week it doesn't feel like it coming (hopefully I am wrong!). It would have usually started this morning and has not, at all. If I don't have it by Friday I will go to my doctor.

The question is that I don't believe I have exercised excessive and I haven't experienced extreme or rapid weight loss (-13 in about 14 weeks) and my body fat is around 22% (according to my handheld...that's low if anything). I feel very strongly my fitness routine is well within healthy boundaries and I don't know why this is happening.

I am just concerned and want to hear what other MFPers have to say!

Replies

  • ColoradoRobin
    ColoradoRobin Posts: 510 Member
    Your period can also stop due to inadequate calorie intake. There are a lot of possible reasons in addition to calories and exercise, so do talk to your doctor. Good luck!
  • chuisle
    chuisle Posts: 1,052 Member
    My calorie intake is almost never below the 1200 net. So it is often around 1500 or more. Also, I tend to take weekends off and often eat more.
  • ChubbieTubbie
    ChubbieTubbie Posts: 481 Member
    I've never missed a period, but since dieting my periods have gone from 28-days-like-clockwork to a random mixture of days between 23-33 days....it's infuriating....but it could be due to weight loss/calorie intake/exercise or a mixture of the three.
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Honestly, you're better off on Neuvaring Vs the pill. No side effects. I've been on it since 2002. I workout pretty much every day.

    I will say though if you go off the pill it's pretty normal to take 1 full year to have a regular cycle again. If you go to the doctor they are going to give you hormones to 'force' your period to arrive. :(

    I know Neuvaring is expensive, but it's so worth every penny.

    Good luck! There's no way it is exercise, because unless you're a marathon runner and training there's nothing you're doing. Your hormones are just most likely imbalanced. If so, a lower hormone pill or Neuvaring is a better solution. :)
  • ColoradoRobin
    ColoradoRobin Posts: 510 Member
    That's probably not the issue then, and your body fat is at a healthy level. Maybe it's the pill you're on since that does change your cycle. I'm not a doctor, so I'm stumped. I no longer have to worry about it after my hysterectomy - I get hot flahes instead. ;)
  • bethrs
    bethrs Posts: 664 Member
    When I had lost about 30 or 40 lbs my body went nutty and my periods were either missed or I had 2 or 3 a month. My doc said that the change in body fat had changed my hormone production and put me on a different pill. I would check into that option too- especially if you have been making progress. Weight and hormones are related and the hormones in your pill may need to be adjusted.

    HTH
  • plagirl227
    plagirl227 Posts: 134
    Go to the doctor and have them do a blood test...
  • kristyoconnor
    kristyoconnor Posts: 19 Member
    I'm in a similar situation and have no idea why.
  • chuisle
    chuisle Posts: 1,052 Member
    Thanks for the ideas/experiences...keep them coming!

    plagirl227 - I very highly doubt its pregnancy at this point. Does a blood test tell you anything else?
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Thanks for the ideas/experiences...keep them coming!

    plagirl227 - I very highly doubt its pregnancy at this point. Does a blood test tell you anything else?

    Blood test will tell if your hormones are out of whack. Trust me though, it really can take 12-18 months for your period to normalize after going off the pill. You'll find a pill that's right for you I'm sure. Sounds like a low hormone one will be best. So, it's not you or your body it's just things needing to level out.

    Plus, a period on the pill is not an actual period nor an actual cycle because you don't ovulate. It's just a cycle that is healthy to go through while on BC.
  • mirandamatte
    mirandamatte Posts: 130 Member
    You might me knocked up....home tests aren't always right..blood test will give you definite results.
  • spiritmachine
    spiritmachine Posts: 56
    Go to the GYN and tell them what's up. There are dozens of causes for secondary amenorrhea. I wouldn't assume it has anything to do with your exercise regimen which seems within normal limits. People who become amenorrheic from exercise are generally more the marathon/elite athlete type than the fitness enthusiastic.
  • MegsMads
    MegsMads Posts: 10
    Hey girl, I would think that the changes to your body over the last months have changed your hormone production, and now your pill is possibly too strong. Periods on the pill are more like "hormone withdrawl" where your body gets a break from the pill suppressing natural hormone rhythms to prevent pregnancy and your period until a certain time. So with your weight loss and change in physical activity since January perhaps your body is responsive to a lower dose and thus your current pill is strong enough to prevent your period even through your placebo days.

    But overall I'd be way surprised if this was caused from excessive exercise and dieting. I would definitely make an appointment with your doctor so that you can discuss all the nitty gritty. Also they could rule out pregnancy for sure and give you specific advice for your body since we're all so different!
  • chuisle
    chuisle Posts: 1,052 Member
    Hi! Thanks for suggestions...

    I am not assuming it is due to excessive exercise. The reason I asked is that after looking at common causes, that seems to the only that would potentially even begin to apply. I think you all are right my hormones are a bit out of whack so hopefully a doctor can help.

    Also, to clarify I am still on the pill.
  • rita27ny
    rita27ny Posts: 820 Member
    Hi what happened? Did you go to the doctor?
  • krennie8
    krennie8 Posts: 301 Member
    I'm curious if you ever got an answer. I'm having similar issues and I'm worried it's either exercise/diet related (though I've only been working out 3-4 days a week) or possibly I'm going hyperthyroid which means my meds are too high.
  • CuteMonkeyGal
    CuteMonkeyGal Posts: 138 Member
    Sounds like a hormonal thing more than an excessive exercise thing, but I'd go to your doctor to find out. Good luck, OP!

    The nice thing about my period is that is once I lost a good chunk of weight, my cycle is now actually regular. I used to have heavy, long periods (like 3 months or more). But, once I started changing my lifestyle, it slowly regulated itself. I now can actually track when it's due and it only has one day of cramping, 1-2 days of heavy flow, and goes for about 5 -7 days of bleeding (3-4 of those are more spotty/light). I can imagine as I get closer to my goal weight, that it'll get a bit shorter in length. :)
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