Question for the ladies

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jessicagrieshaber
jessicagrieshaber Posts: 167 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Have any of you ladies out there lost your cycle due to your induced fitness schedule? I have always worked out a lot - grew up a soccer player and a runner. When I was in college (within the last four years) I began running a lot and strength training a few times a week. In January of 2013 I had my last period. I have tried to increase calories and decrease exercise. I've seen the gyno and a nutritionist but can't seem to get it to come back.

Anyone else out there go through this? I'm starting to get worried as it's now been 2.5 years. Any help or advice that anyone can offer would be great. Thanks.
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Replies

  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,179 Member
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    What did the drs say? Have you seen a fertility specialist (reproductive endocrinologist usually)? Have you had blood tests, u/s?
  • AbbiMichaels
    AbbiMichaels Posts: 2 Member
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    I've read that sweet potatoes and juicing carrots ( like 5 to 10 pounds a day) can mimic oestrogens in menopausal women and sort out problems they have associated with that. Idk how that would work for you but it couldn't hurt to try.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,521 Member
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    Have your vitamin D level tested. I was very irregular until I started taking 5000IUS/daily of vit. D. My cycle was like clockwork for 3 years. I'm about to go to the dr and have it retested, b/c I'm irregular again. I've lost some fat over the last few months; I think the lower body fat might be throwing it off this time. The other suggestions I got from MFP were to check my diet to see if I was consuming enough fat.
  • 2013sk
    2013sk Posts: 1,318 Member
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    2.5 years with no period. I would say get back to the doctor ASAP and get a blood test done. They will be able to check your thyroid levels, sugar levels, white & red blood cells etc. I didn't have a period but only for 7 months. I was working out a lot & eating super healthy and lost a bit of weight.

    Has your weight changed drastically in the last 2.5 years?
    How many calories are you consuming a day? How many times do you workout a week?

    Make sure your diet is consisting of healthy fruit & veg, lots of good fats, protein etc
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    doctor

    2.5 years of Amenorrhoea? Has early menopause been ruled out?
  • sweetd6
    sweetd6 Posts: 74 Member
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    Yeah it could be early menopause, but why wouldn't a doctor have checked this? Absence of period for any reason leads to bone loss, it's not a "benign" condition. A doctor should have checked your hormone levels and your bone density. Early menopause comes with a higher risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, it's not something to be ignored. And absence of period due to extremely low levels of fat also leads to bone loss and osteoporosis. Ask for more tests.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
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    not being a serious athelete I cannot speak from personal experience, but I do know a few that are marathoners or were seriously active in sports like swimming and they did not get their periods.
    that being said, it's always good to check with the dr regarding health questions
  • ythannah
    ythannah Posts: 4,365 Member
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    Any idea what your body fat % might be? It's fairly common for female athletes with very low BF% to stop menstruating, I think the general average is around 10% but there will be individual variations.

    If you are one of those women who just tends to carry less fat and more lean mass, you may have decreased your BF% below your personal threshold for menstruation.
  • jessicagrieshaber
    jessicagrieshaber Posts: 167 Member
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    rabbitjb wrote: »
    doctor

    2.5 years of Amenorrhoea? Has early menopause been ruled out?
    I'm 22 years old. I'm doubtful that it's early menopause.
    I work out 6 times a week. I eat very healthy - lots of fruits and veggies, lean meat (chicken, pork, turkey), eggs, greek yogurt.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    jessicagrieshaber wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    doctor

    2.5 years of Amenorrhoea? Has early menopause been ruled out?
    I'm 22 years old. I'm doubtful that it's early menopause.
    I work out 6 times a week. I eat very healthy - lots of fruits and veggies, lean meat (chicken, pork, turkey), eggs, greek yogurt.

    Well as you haven't had a period for 2 and a half years it is certainly something that should be followed up medically by a doctor

    because that's not good

    even if you believe it's exercise / diet induced I would still be getting tested

    Even Wiki has a decent amount of info on it

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenorrhoea

  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
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    rabbitjb wrote: »

    because that's not good

    it's not necessarily bad either. It can be a natural and normal thing and nothing to worry about (but still check in with your dr)
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
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    moyer566 wrote: »
    rabbitjb wrote: »

    because that's not good

    it's not necessarily bad either. It can be a natural and normal thing and nothing to worry about (but still check in with your dr)

    no it can't

    it is 'natural and normal' for women once having established to menses to continue to have them up to menopause

    cessation of periods is concerning and should ALWAYS be looked into
  • harpsdesire
    harpsdesire Posts: 190 Member
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    whatwhatever wrote: »
    I've read that sweet potatoes and juicing carrots ( like 5 to 10 pounds a day) can mimic oestrogens in menopausal women and sort out problems they have associated with that. Idk how that would work for you but it couldn't hurt to try.

    5-10 pounds of carrots a day?

    That seems like it could cause more problems than it solves, and wouldn't leave much room for any other nutrients.
    Or did you mean 5-10 carrots?
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
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    rabbitjb wrote: »

    cessation of periods is concerning and should ALWAYS be looked into

    yes it should be looked into but it is not necessarily unnatural to lose your period for a bit while you ramp up your fitness level. or if you are a very fit active person
    mine is significantly lighter and dr said it's natural and do not worry. (but I did ask my dr about)

    the key is to ask your dr if it's ok. because the loss of your period can be a sign of something not good.

    and we do not need to have our periods every month.
  • kamakazeekim
    kamakazeekim Posts: 1,183 Member
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    I have PCOS so I can go a very long time between periods but when I go more than 6 months my doctor induces a period because not having a period can lead to a lot of problems (although if you are not having periods because of certain kinds of birth controls, like the Mirena, then not having a periods is ok.) The lining of your uterus builds up which leads to an increased risk of cancer. You really need to have your hormone levels checked ASAP. See a reproductive endocrinologist.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    edited June 2015
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    kamakazeekim wrote: »
    I have PCOS so I can go a very long time between periods but when I go more than 6 months my doctor induces a period because not having a period can lead to a lot of problems (although if you are not having periods because of certain kinds of birth controls, like the Mirena, then not having a periods is ok.) The lining of your uterus builds up which leads to an increased risk of cancer. You really need to have your hormone levels checked ASAP. See a reproductive endocrinologist.
    : <3
    or start with your regular dr

  • NobodyPutsAmyInTheCorner
    NobodyPutsAmyInTheCorner Posts: 1,018 Member
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    The longest I've gone without a period was 4 months. That was due to my PCOS and being obese at the time. Now I don't miss any. In fact my cycle is now only 24 days which is a pain in the balls. LOL
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,912 Member
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    moyer566 wrote: »
    and we do not need to have our periods every month.

    Cite please?

  • jorinya
    jorinya Posts: 933 Member
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    See your doctor, there could be any number of things hiding behind you not having your period. The only times I've not had mine is when I was pregnant or breast feeding. Please be checked out. Are you over stressed or something? Did you change you diet drastically? Please see a doctor!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,912 Member
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    Jessica - please quantify "running a lot."

    Also, when is the last time you saw your GYN and what did he or she say was causing the cessation?

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