Any experience maintaining a BMI of 20
intrepidelephant
Posts: 100 Member
Started 5'6 141, currently 132, aiming for 125. This is small and probably a size 0/2 on me. I've heard that some women stop their period below a BMI of 20. Much as I hate my period, I figure this probably isn't healthy. I would be OK at 130 if 125 wasn't feasible. I have a medium build and currently aroung 21% body fat. Any thoughts?
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Replies
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Maybe body composition would be a better goal than a certain weight? 21% is a healthy level for women, but you can definitely get down to 18% with no health problems. Lower than that may or may not be healthy/sustainable... seems to depend on the individual.0
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I am just below BMI 20 for a few years and my period still happens0
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I'm 5'4" and about 118 pounds and so my BMI is right around 20 as well. My body fat is usually around 18-19%. I was down to 114 last summer and my period did stop, so after 2-3 months of that I realised what was probably going on and I put on a couple pounds, which was enough to have everything start working again.
It's going to vary for everyone, but loss of your period is not a good thing and it's something you need to monitor and see your doctor about. Lots of female athletes do lose their periods, but because it can cause health problems down the road, your doctor needs to stay on top of it with you if you plan to drop your body fat that low.0 -
I had a BMI of 19 throughout my child bearing years. Always had regular periods and healthy pregnancies.0
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I'm 5'4" and about 118 pounds and so my BMI is right around 20 as well. My body fat is usually around 18-19%. I was down to 114 last summer and my period did stop, so after 2-3 months of that I realised what was probably going on and I put on a couple pounds, which was enough to have everything start working again.
It's going to vary for everyone, but loss of your period is not a good thing and it's something you need to monitor and see your doctor about. Lots of female athletes do lose their periods, but because it can cause health problems down the road, your doctor needs to stay on top of it with you if you plan to drop your body fat that low.
I've been through periods when I've done intense physical activity and lost my period (eg. hiked 300 miles across Iceland in a month, worked 80 hours a week at a manual labour job). I also did lose my period when I starved myself down to 120 when I was 16, but I'm eating 2000+ calories a day right now.0 -
A loss of your period for any sustained period of time will in all probability lead to serious problems like osteoporosis, but people seem to lose it at different points just depending on their body. I still get mine at bmi of a little under 20, but you could be different. If you do end up losing it you can always put a few more pounds on and it should start up again.0
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BMI of 18 here, no issues maintaining. I have been fluctuating between 110 and 113. 5'5". No issues health-wise.0
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lowest normal bmi is 18.5... you're not going to experience medical problems associated with low weight if you are in the normal range.0
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Started 5'6 141, currently 132, aiming for 125. This is small and probably a size 0/2 on me. I've heard that some women stop their period below a BMI of 20. Much as I hate my period, I figure this probably isn't healthy. I would be OK at 130 if 125 wasn't feasible. I have a medium build and currently aroung 21% body fat. Any thoughts?
Just chiming in, but if you don't like your period, opt out. Seasonique lets you have a period 4 times a year, and Amethyst lets you skip it completely. I haven't had a period or PMS for about 10 years.0 -
I'm 5'8, 125 pounds BMI of 19 and have no period problems.0
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That is weird that someone's period would stop when under a BMI of 20...I had well below a BMI of 20 for many years and always got my period. I'm 5'6 and my weight is 134. My body fat is 25% though
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I had a bmi of 17.4 for a few years and had regular periods. I have since gotten to 18.5 and no problems. I think period loss is from an extreme lack of nutrition.0
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BMI of 20 for over three years with no problems, here! That's well within the healthy range. I don't see why there would be any problems.0
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You have to be pretty damn slim to lose your period. I've been down to BMI 17 with a period no problem.0
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I always have a Bmi between 18 and 18.5, and I am incredibly fertile. I stopped getting my period for 6 months when I was 16, and had a bmi around 15.5 or 16 or so (which was very unhealthy). It depends on your body composition and frame size.0
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I think it's a combination of body fat percentage and frame size. Too low of a body fat percentage can be unhealthy (especially if it's maintained for a long period of time). And persons with a medium or large frame are going to want to aim for a higher BMI compared to someone with a small frame.0
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Mine's 20.4 right now. I would say 20-22 would be a piece of cake but 20 and below requires to be on point with diet and exercise. But it's easily done.
I've been as low as 19.2 (want to get there gain, working on it) and I kept getting the monthly visitor.
When I had a BMI of 39.5 I DIDN'T, I started getting it regularly again (it was very sporadically, once every few months) when I lost weight.0 -
My BMI is between 18.3-18.8 and I have yet to lose my period.
Sometimes people lose their period going below 20 but they might also have a very low BF%, which also plays a role.0 -
19.9 20, very hormonally healthy
Lower than this, still in the low 19s, I had irregularities, but it could have been a few things.0 -
My BMI is between 18.5 and 19.5 and I don't have my period. I do lift heavy and have low body fat.
I have been two three doctors, had tons of blood work, and no one could explain WHY I've lost it. So, I don't know if it's because of my BMI or just premature menopause due to genetics of BAD EFFING LUCK.
Overall, I think some women, due to genes and body fat percentage, can have their period with lower BMIs than other women.0 -
Eh my BMI is 22 and my period has been totally irregular since I went under 23. My doctor says it has more to do with how much you exercise than what your BMI is.0
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Health problems and issues with menses cycles are more of a nutrition problem and/or over exercising then body fat %
I'm 5'7" and been maintaining at 123.5 without a problem, healthiest I've ever been. But numbers are arbitrary, start by losing and stop when you feel good how you look and feel.0 -
My BMI is 20 or so right now... I lost my period at a BMI of 22-23... not sure what the deal is. Have done plenty of blood tests and everything always comes back perfect :noway: :huh:0
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After a cut I'm usually at 19 even for BMI and 17 % BF, no problems. I've had all of the kids I'm going to have, so I'm not too worried about it. Some women have to get closer to 15% before they lose their period. It all depends on the individual.0
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I'm 5'6" also and have been maintaining between 123-128 for a few months now. Most days I'm either 125 or 126. I don't get my period anyway because of an IUD but I was this height/weight combo before and didn't have any trouble. I'm a medium build as well.0
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I have a bmi of 20, I'm 5'4 120lbs. I look pretty skinny versus muscular though. I'm ok with that, but others aren't.0
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Anything below a BMI of 20 for ME personally has me ill feeling, and very irregular with my shark week.
Remember that everything is tailor fit to you, it's all about your own personal experience and how well you feel.
Healthy not just Skinny is what we all should aim for!0 -
Had a BMI around 19 for most of my adult life, I am almost 40 now, have 3 kids. Never had a problem with it, quite the opposite, I have several hormonal problems, like PCOS, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance and the endocrinologist wants me to maintain my weight low. Experience tells me that at least PCOS symptoms are non-existent when I am on the low normal BMI range, start to appear for me with a BMI around 21 (abnormal periods, acne are the basic ones). For my height, the difference between 19 and 21 is only 6 kilos (13 lbs) and while both weights are within normal BMI range, it still makes a difference for my health.0
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I agree that it more to do with the amount of exercise than your BMI. I had a BMI of 21 but was exercising a bit excessively and my periods stopped for nearly a year. As long as your body fat percentage is normal and you are still getting your periods a BMI of around 20 should be fine.0
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It's more about BF%, not just BMI. I think it usually cuts out when you hit 15% or lower with BF0
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