Should I give up and gain it all back? (hormones, period missed)
molnardrea
Posts: 78 Member
I went down from 135 lbs to 126 (I'm 5ft 4, healthy BMI) in 4 months (very slowly). I ate healthy food, vegetables, fruit, lean meats, seeds, nuts, whole grain bread/pasta, brown rice, dark chocolate in moderation, avocado, peanut butter, generally a diet that's not boring or hard for me. Every day ate at least 1500 kcal, when worked out (ran, cycled, horse riding, HIIT videos from youtube), then ate back my excersise calories.
I was happy about myself, my body composition changing... Despite all these I lost my period (5 months missed). Been to the gyno, I have no PCOS, no pregancy, more like a Hypothalamic Amenorrhea. Women usually said they had to gain weight, body fat to get their periods back. They also had to cut out ALL excersise. They gained 10-20 lbs to get their body working...
Does this mean that being lean and athletic is not for me? I've never been overweight and I've always been very active. I don't want to give up and gain back more... I already gained 5 lbs back and I'm on progesterone pill, but still no period since December 24th, 2014.
Help
I was happy about myself, my body composition changing... Despite all these I lost my period (5 months missed). Been to the gyno, I have no PCOS, no pregancy, more like a Hypothalamic Amenorrhea. Women usually said they had to gain weight, body fat to get their periods back. They also had to cut out ALL excersise. They gained 10-20 lbs to get their body working...
Does this mean that being lean and athletic is not for me? I've never been overweight and I've always been very active. I don't want to give up and gain back more... I already gained 5 lbs back and I'm on progesterone pill, but still no period since December 24th, 2014.
Help
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Replies
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This is a really good question for your doctor.
FWIW, if I could quit having my period and still be perfectly healthy, I'd be thrilled.0 -
What did your doctor say about it?0
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this happens to women with very low bodyfat percentage I heard.. do you know what your bf is? This is very common amongst women fitness models and women athletes.0
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Yes, you should ask your doctor. I haven't had my period for almost two years and I could care less. I am perfectly healthy and at athlete level conditioning and at the bottom rung for required body fat percentage. Our situations are different.... I am not interested in having kids and as long as my body is healthy and functioning normally otherwise, as I said, I don't care about my period! My doctor told me it was a mix of age and body fat but as long as I felt ok and had no other issues not to worry about it. The only thing I can think of is to start eating higher healthy fats and start lifting weights, limit your carbs and get plenty of protein and water. This might boost your body fat percentage without weight gain. But I'm not professional. Definitely ask your doctor.0
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That happened to me when I was on the swim team in HS. The doctor put me on the Pill, and this returned my cycles without the necessity of gaining any weight back.
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I went initally to the doc because of this. She said I can keep up eating the way I do and doing sports... But all other women on fertilethoughts.com forums said that no hormone treatments worked, they all had to gain back their weight.
I am was at least 23 bf %. Now got back up to 24-25%, also feel bloated and full of 2500 kcals that I eat, to gain some back and see if it helps getting my period, but it doesn't seem to work...0 -
I might give a try to lifting after I had my exams, which will only allow me to start in august 0
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Let's see... doctor's advice or advice from fertilethoughts.com?0
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molnardrea wrote: »I went initally to the doc because of this. She said I can keep up eating the way I do and doing sports... But all other women on fertilethoughts.com forums said that no hormone treatments worked, they all had to gain back their weight.
I am was at least 23 bf %. Now got back up to 24-25%, also feel bloated and full of 2500 kcals that I eat, to gain some back and see if it helps getting my period, but it doesn't seem to work...
What does your doctor say about the discrepancy between her advice and the personal experiences you have been reading about online?0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »molnardrea wrote: »I went initally to the doc because of this. She said I can keep up eating the way I do and doing sports... But all other women on fertilethoughts.com forums said that no hormone treatments worked, they all had to gain back their weight.
I am was at least 23 bf %. Now got back up to 24-25%, also feel bloated and full of 2500 kcals that I eat, to gain some back and see if it helps getting my period, but it doesn't seem to work...
What does your doctor say about the discrepancy between her advice and the personal experiences you have been reading about online?
Well, we haven't met since I've read those success stories on weight gain and no excersise. I'll see her on the 4th, then will talk to her.
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molnardrea wrote: »I went initally to the doc because of this. She said I can keep up eating the way I do and doing sports... But all other women on fertilethoughts.com forums said that no hormone treatments worked, they all had to gain back their weight.
I am was at least 23 bf %. Now got back up to 24-25%, also feel bloated and full of 2500 kcals that I eat, to gain some back and see if it helps getting my period, but it doesn't seem to work...
I would take my doctor's advice over the advice of random internet strangers.
Are you actively trying to conceive right now? If not, would continuing with your fitness plan now and gaining some weight back before TTC be an option?
(Note that I have no idea, it's just a thought).0 -
If youmolnardrea wrote: »I went initally to the doc because of this. She said I can keep up eating the way I do and doing sports... But all other women on fertilethoughts.com forums said that no hormone treatments worked, they all had to gain back their weight.
I am was at least 23 bf %. Now got back up to 24-25%, also feel bloated and full of 2500 kcals that I eat, to gain some back and see if it helps getting my period, but it doesn't seem to work...
You should be able to eat more than 1500 calories at your height, weight, and activity level, and still maintain. You might not be able to eat 2500 but there is a big span of possibilities between 1500 and 2500.
The women who post on that website likely are women who are having problems. For every woman who posts about her problems, there are likely 2 or 3 who have handled their amenorrhea in a way similar to what your doctor has suggested but they just aren't posting about it.0 -
And to make it clear, I don't want to have a baby, I just think that a healthy woman needs to have monthly periods, otherwise the body is telling that something's wrong. There's the risk of osteoporosis as well.
Also, I'm 19 years old, started getting period back when I was 14.0 -
126 @ 5'4" doesn't sound like it would be a low enough BF% to cause amenorrhea, so this is definitely a question for your doctor.0
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PeachyPlum wrote: »molnardrea wrote: »I went initally to the doc because of this. She said I can keep up eating the way I do and doing sports... But all other women on fertilethoughts.com forums said that no hormone treatments worked, they all had to gain back their weight.
I am was at least 23 bf %. Now got back up to 24-25%, also feel bloated and full of 2500 kcals that I eat, to gain some back and see if it helps getting my period, but it doesn't seem to work...
I would take my doctor's advice over the advice of random internet strangers.
Are you actively trying to conceive right now? If not, would continuing with your fitness plan now and gaining some weight back before TTC be an option?
(Note that I have no idea, it's just a thought).
No, no conceiving. No partner.
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If youmolnardrea wrote: »I went initally to the doc because of this. She said I can keep up eating the way I do and doing sports... But all other women on fertilethoughts.com forums said that no hormone treatments worked, they all had to gain back their weight.
I am was at least 23 bf %. Now got back up to 24-25%, also feel bloated and full of 2500 kcals that I eat, to gain some back and see if it helps getting my period, but it doesn't seem to work...
You should be able to eat more than 1500 calories at your height, weight, and activity level, and still maintain. You might not be able to eat 2500 but there is a big span of possibilities between 1500 and 2500.
The women who post on that website likely are women who are having problems. For every woman who posts about her problems, there are likely 2 or 3 who have handled their amenorrhea in a way similar to what your doctor has suggested but they just aren't posting about it.
Yes, you might be right. I should try upping my calories and therefore stressing less about fitting in the day. One other problem could have been the stress that counting calories and cutting out white bread and sugary foods put on my mind. But I am happy with my current, healthy foods.
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At that age especially it's perfectly normal for periods to be irregular and even gone for a long time despite them having been regular in the past.
I've seen a doctor about a similar issue - I only have my period about once a year or so when not on the pill even though at one point they were fairly regular. The doctor said it's perfectly normal and not harmful if I'm otherwise healthy and hormone levels ok. Since then I have just been happy that I hardly ever get a period
Speak to your doctor but I'm pretty sure he/she will tell you weight gain is not a solution if you're currently at a healthy weight and have a healthy lifestyle.0 -
At that age especially it's perfectly normal for periods to be irregular and even gone for a long time despite them having been regular in the past.
I've seen a doctor about a similar issue - I only have my period about once a year or so when not on the pill even though at one point they were fairly regular. The doctor said it's perfectly normal and not harmful if I'm otherwise healthy and hormone levels ok. Since then I have just been happy that I hardly ever get a period
Speak to your doctor but I'm pretty sure he/she will tell you weight gain is not a solution if you're currently at a healthy weight and have a healthy lifestyle.
Thanks ainov, you cheered me up a bit
I'll try to get my period on this pill, do the hormone tests she suggested and wait for my body maybe to adjust to the changes.
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Listen to your doctor. Tell them your fears and your ideas. Make a list to take with you so you can get them all out. Print a page or two of the boards to take with you, so they can refute or explain. I'd also ask them about the hormones you're taking. Some women do lose their periods from certain HRT's and BC's progesterone and estrogen levels.
As another said, the boards can't be trusted-people with negative experiences are more likely to record and report than positive experiences.
Another thing to consider. Have you measured your height and wrists lately? At 19, there is a possibility that a growth spurt could also be messing with you. It's not the norm, but it's also not uncommon. The freshman 15 is actually related more to growth spurts than overeating.
In the meantime, follow her orders rather than rambling people on the internet. This is the place where people start jabbering about things like blood type diets! I realize I just told you to ignore me, but I'd rather you ignored me and them than follow bad advice and horror stories leading you to stress out and panic and make a poor life decision.0 -
coraborealis80 wrote: »Listen to your doctor. Tell them your fears and your ideas. Make a list to take with you so you can get them all out. Print a page or two of the boards to take with you, so they can refute or explain. I'd also ask them about the hormones you're taking. Some women do lose their periods from certain HRT's and BC's progesterone and estrogen levels.
As another said, the boards can't be trusted-people with negative experiences are more likely to record and report than positive experiences.
Another thing to consider. Have you measured your height and wrists lately? At 19, there is a possibility that a growth spurt could also be messing with you. It's not the norm, but it's also not uncommon. The freshman 15 is actually related more to growth spurts than overeating.
In the meantime, follow her orders rather than rambling people on the internet. This is the place where people start jabbering about things like blood type diets! I realize I just told you to ignore me, but I'd rather you ignored me and them than follow bad advice and horror stories leading you to stress out and panic and make a poor life decision.
My wrists? They are quite tiny. Why should I measure it? Can you explain this one a bit more into detail?
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Stress? Did no one mention stress? At 19 there is so much stress! Does weird things to the body.
I'm 24, 5'5 and 136lbs no period in 6months (but frigging pms like crazy.)
No cysts, hormone levels are okay, many tests and a scan later my doctor has come up with stress or too high physical activity, (physically demanding job and heavy lifting).
I got seriously freaked out after a few months, (I had a cyst a few years back) Id guess my bf% is in mid 20s so its not that for me either, I was eating 2300 a day when started now cutting on 1900.
Now trying to add in some mindfullness meditation to see if it brings it back on advice of my gp.
My gyno said it just happens sometimes to women of all ages and weights. Don't worry about it.0 -
molnardrea wrote: »I just think that a healthy woman needs to have monthly periods, otherwise the body is telling that something's wrong.
Better not take BCPs, then, because you don't menstruate on them. BCP bleeding is an artifact of progesterone withdrawal. The only reason BCPs even give you a progesterone withdrawal bleed is because it keeps you from worrying that you're pregnant.
There's no medical reason to bleed every month if you're using hormonal contraception.
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Hang on wait what?
I'm also on a progesterone pill and the whole point is that I don't get periods, it's brilliant. That's why I picked it. I'm 125lb, 27 and 5'3.5. Have you read the leaflet that comes with your pill to check if it's one that stops periods all together?0 -
I went through similar (am generally 125 at 5'6, sometimes fluctuates up and down a bit) and no longer have my period as well as it stopped at age 22 (which is a blessing in my opinion) and I'm 23 now. I'm unsure if this is from my tubal I had at 21 (it wasn't a hysterectomy so...) but your's could also be from stress. As long as you aren't actually underweight then it's probably not as bad as it seems. Look on the bright side, you can't get pregnant (or at least a next to 0 chance) and no more pads/tampons to go through.
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molnardrea wrote: »And to make it clear, I don't want to have a baby, I just think that a healthy woman needs to have monthly periods, otherwise the body is telling that something's wrong. There's the risk of osteoporosis as well.
Nope, not a requirement for a "healthy woman."0 -
^This!molnardrea wrote: »I just think that a healthy woman needs to have monthly periods, otherwise the body is telling that something's wrong.
Better not take BCPs, then, because you don't menstruate on them. BCP bleeding is an artifact of progesterone withdrawal. The only reason BCPs even give you a progesterone withdrawal bleed is because it keeps you from worrying that you're pregnant.
There's no medical reason to bleed every month if you're using hormonal contraception.
I'm have the implanon (sp?) implant in my arm for birth control and I don't have a period. I was on Depo Provera for 11 years and had my period maybe 5 times, and it was usually when I had missed my shot by a week. Which if it's progesterone withdrawl, makes perfect sense.
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molnardrea wrote: »And to make it clear, I don't want to have a baby, I just think that a healthy woman needs to have monthly periods, otherwise the body is telling that something's wrong. There's the risk of osteoporosis as well.
Nope, not a requirement for a "healthy woman."
While it's not a requirement for a healthy woman to have periods, a woman who stops having them should get it checked out.0 -
molnardrea wrote: »And to make it clear, I don't want to have a baby, I just think that a healthy woman needs to have monthly periods, otherwise the body is telling that something's wrong. There's the risk of osteoporosis as well.
Also, I'm 19 years old, started getting period back when I was 14.
not true actually. Having a monthly period is not as healthy as you think.
this is a new thing since the advent of birth control. Women prior to BC didn't have monthly cycles as they were usually pregnant.
Our bodies are not meant for monthly...per my Aunt who is a professor at a great medical school and she is a retired ob/gyn...I trust her over some website.
I like not having a monthly cycle...took care of my anemia.0 -
Stress indeed was a major factor that I didn't mention here. I had several exams and some more are still due as I'm at my final year of highschool. Then going to uni, leaving my parents' house... It's all stressing me. I got good results on my latest exams and I hope that will help me settle down a bit. Today I found myself singing some melodies on horseback, which I haven't done since months... Good sign 0
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