Devastated at missing period

alizeepa
alizeepa Posts: 16 Member
edited November 20 in Health and Weight Loss
hey guys so I need a bit of advice :( I'm gonna use both kilos and pounds so that people understand me everywhere. I'm 28 and 5"7 (1m73). I used to weigh just over 11st (73 kilos). Since Easter I've lost just over 1 stone (9 kilos or so). Ok so that's within 2 months so I feel it's not too drastic. I've also been exercising a lot at the gym, around an hour anywhere between 4-6 times a week, mainly running and biking. I also walk a minimum of 2 hours on any given day due to my job. Sometimes I walk up to 5-6 hours a day. Anyway, everything is fine and I'm happy except my period is missing. This has happened to me before when I've lost weight and exercised. Before you ask, no I'm not pregnant and that's 100% sure. I would really like for my period to come back as I'm nearing 30 and would like to be able to conceive and carry a child in the future but at the same time I don't want to put on weight. At this point I no longer want to lose weight but want to keep exercising to tone my body. I eat a healthy diet and consume around 2,000 calories a day. Thanks for any input

Replies

  • KerrymBurgess
    KerrymBurgess Posts: 29 Member
    That's happened to me, I wasn't including enough fat in my diet. I introduced healthy fats like, avocado, nuts, ground flaxseed etc, and all became normal again!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Open your diary
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I miss a period 2-3 times a year when I suddenly have a 60 - something day cycle. No big deal. It is very common to see your cycle get wonky while losing weight. Visit your GYN for a checkup but she'll likely tell you the same.
  • Merci4u
    Merci4u Posts: 41 Member
    Are you eating red meat? My friend's period disappeared and the doctor advised its was because her iron was low from only eating chicken. I would go to the doctors and gets your blood checked.
  • bendyourkneekatie
    bendyourkneekatie Posts: 696 Member
    Talk to your doctor. Seriously, an Internet forum dedicated to weight loss is not the place to get help for this kind of thing. Even if it is related to your diet, it may very well be an underlying medical condition that needs proper diagnosis and possibly treatment or at least proper medical advice.
  • Azurite27
    Azurite27 Posts: 554 Member
    I would agree that you may need more healthy fats since you're at a reasonably healthy weight for your height. I'm at around the same stats, 5'7, in the 140 range and still have trouble with excessive periods.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    If it's only one month don't panic. If it continues for the next couple of months see you doctor re: amenorrhea
  • bendyourkneekatie
    bendyourkneekatie Posts: 696 Member
    msf74 wrote: »
    If it's only one month don't panic. If it continues for the next couple of months see you doctor re: amenorrhea

    I agree with this, that one missed or late period is no biggie on its own, and not an indicator of future fertility, but if the OP is worried and going to get advice about this somewhere, a dr is the only way to go.
  • SkinnyWannabeGal
    SkinnyWannabeGal Posts: 143 Member
    Good idea to talk to your doctor about this to find out the exact reason for your missed period. It may or may not be totally due to weight loss alone. Best thing to do is to check with your doctor just to be sure.
  • alizeepa
    alizeepa Posts: 16 Member
    I had a blood test before starting my diet/exercise regime and I was told my iron was low. Not anaemic low but borderline. Maybe that's the reason
  • Ohwhynot
    Ohwhynot Posts: 356 Member
    Don't put the cart before the horse! It could just be coincidence that your weight loss and skipped period coincide. It's totally normal to miss a period here and there. That said, have you talked to your obgyn about irregular cycles? I went through a lot of fertility issues and it's better to KNOW than to guess and self-diagnose through the internet. (Btw, I had 2 kids in my 30s so skipping a few periods is no big deal. :) ) Good luck!
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Talk to your dr, it could be anything. If it has happened before, an hormonal issue sounds like the most probable explanation but it definitely needs investigation. Call your dr
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    It's not iron .. it could be hormones

    but a single missed period is nothing to be unduly concerned about

    I agree with the healthy fats and consulting your actual doctor advice though
  • amanda_the_mom
    amanda_the_mom Posts: 20 Member
    It could be stress too. If you don't want to lose anymore weight, then start eating at maintainance for a couple of months and see what happens. Don't worry about long term fertility yet. I had a year and a half with anovulatory 60+ day long cycles due to being overweight (likely PCOS) but when I lost some weight my cycle normalized then I got pregnant right away. So if you're not ovulating due to the weight loss, it should be temporary and when you eat at maintenance, it should return. However, lots of exercise can also stop your period even if you're eating enough calories. Many professional athletes stop getting their periods. So that's something to consider if it doesn't return after a few months of eating at maintenance
  • sjdoman
    sjdoman Posts: 81 Member
    It happened to me before when my net calories were too low, meaning I was not eating back my exercise calories. I lost 27 pounds over 4 months. Things returne d to normal when I started eating more calories.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    it can happen. do not panic.
    talk to your doctor about it, especially if you miss it next month
  • Katiebear_81
    Katiebear_81 Posts: 719 Member
    Yeah, I wouldn't sweat it until next month. :) But if you are netting low calories, you might want to look at that. You seem to be at a good/average/healthy weight for your height, so if it keeps happening, I'd talk to your dr.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    msf74 wrote: »
    If it's only one month don't panic. If it continues for the next couple of months see you doctor re: amenorrhea

    This.

    They typically won't get nervous or worked up unless it's been 3 or more missed cycles.

    adjust the food/fats- drink water- get your iron. If it doesn't come back next month or the following- then go see your GP or a specialist.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I would talk to your doctor.
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    edited June 2015
    All these people talking about a missed period not being a big deal. Obviously you've never had a girl tell you they're late...It's a big *kitten* deal.

    OP - I would listen to the women on this thread and not me, clearly.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    People in the US still won't understand you since you are using stone. I guess a lot of people can't multiply by 14 in their heads. :)

    The more you stress out about it, the worse you will make the situation. I would say that if it's still an issue in 3 or 4 months, call your GYN.
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,660 Member
    If she weighed 11 stone at start she was around 154 lbs., and if she lost a stone, she's now 140 lbs. At 5'7" this is slim, but not underweight by any means. I'd increase iron-containing foods like red meat. I never missed in my younger days, but was anemic to borderline a lot, and that was what I was advised. I did have a friend who would miss when she took up an exercise regime and she had to back off the activity level and change her diet whenever she wanted to get pregnant.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Do you take birth control where your period is regulated? If so and you missed it i might want to get a blood test and just make sure everything is all good.

    If you aren't on BC, and you aren't pregnant, i'd say it's probably fine and normal to have a longer cycle sometimes. If you have lost your period for an extended period of time and have true "amenorrhea" then I would visit the doctor and see what is going on.
  • alizeepa
    alizeepa Posts: 16 Member
    Thanks so much to everyone for your input, you guys are great! I'm gonna do less strenuous exercise and up my fat/iron intake. Fingers crossed. Thank you!!!
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