I don't have periods anymore?

In August of last year, I began losing weight. In February, I started missing my period. When I asked a friend (who lost a lot of weight) about missing my period, she responded that happens when the body is going through some changes. Finally, I reached my goal weight earlier this month (June 11th). Now I am 5'3 and 110 pounds and I've been maintaining my weight with no difficulty. However, it's been two weeks on maintaining and I still have not had my period yet. Is this normal? If you had this problem too, when did you get your period again? Thanks for reading.
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Replies

  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    Some women lose their period when they starve themselves. I've heard some women say that they did this and it never came back.
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  • mirrim52
    mirrim52 Posts: 763 Member
    Have you not had a period at all since Feb, or has it been irregular?
    How much have you lost, and how fast? Your profile says 40 lbs lost. Is that since last Aug.? 40 lbs in 10 months isn't crazy fast, and 110 lbs at 5'3" isn't underweight, so those don't send up huge red flags.

    You may want to see your doctor to rule out any other reasons for missing your period.
  • arabianhorselover
    arabianhorselover Posts: 1,488 Member
    mirrim52 wrote: »
    Have you not had a period at all since Feb, or has it been irregular?
    How much have you lost, and how fast? Your profile says 40 lbs lost. Is that since last Aug.? 40 lbs in 10 months isn't crazy fast, and 110 lbs at 5'3" isn't underweight, so those don't send up huge red flags.

    You may want to see your doctor to rule out any other reasons for missing your period.


    5'3" and 110 pounds certainly can be underweight depending on bone structure, etc.

  • amyds2104
    amyds2104 Posts: 7 Member
    I would suggest going to the doctors just to confirm there are no underlying issues.
  • DianaLovesCoffee
    DianaLovesCoffee Posts: 398 Member
    Go to the doctor. Right away. Losing your period is your body's way to not get pregnant when it needs to use the energy in some other way. Might be weight loss related and might not be. Go to a general physician who will run many tests. Not just an OB/GYN who will put you on birth control to jump start it. Find out why it stopped in the first place. Mine was liver related. Go to the doctor!
  • Originalcool
    Originalcool Posts: 15 Member
    edited June 2015
    mirrim52 wrote: »
    Have you not had a period at all since Feb, or has it been irregular?
    How much have you lost, and how fast? Your profile says 40 lbs lost. Is that since last Aug.? 40 lbs in 10 months isn't crazy fast, and 110 lbs at 5'3" isn't underweight, so those don't send up huge red flags.

    You may want to see your doctor to rule out any other reasons for missing your period.

    Actually, I lost fifty pounds because when I first set up this account, I was ten pounds lighter. Then I gave up for a while *.* A little while later, I was 160 pounds and I thought it would be easier to do myfitnesspal to lose ten pounds then track my weight. That makes sense, right? So, I really lost fifty pounds not forty. I did see my doctor in the beginning of May. When I told her about my period concerns, she said it was my body getting used to the weight loss. However, now I'm maintaining and have been for two weeks now. I know for sure I am not pregnant and I eat a healthy amount of food every day. I have not had a period since February.
  • Originalcool
    Originalcool Posts: 15 Member
    mirrim52 wrote: »
    Have you not had a period at all since Feb, or has it been irregular?
    How much have you lost, and how fast? Your profile says 40 lbs lost. Is that since last Aug.? 40 lbs in 10 months isn't crazy fast, and 110 lbs at 5'3" isn't underweight, so those don't send up huge red flags.

    You may want to see your doctor to rule out any other reasons for missing your period.


    5'3" and 110 pounds certainly can be underweight depending on bone structure, etc.

    My bone structure is on the small side and I do not look underweight. During my two weeks of maintaining, I have had a good amount of food every day. I've also had a lot of fruit and veggies. So, my lack of menstruation cycles is not because of my weight. I know for sure I am not pregnant. Any other ideas? Thanks.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    mirrim52 wrote: »
    Have you not had a period at all since Feb, or has it been irregular?
    How much have you lost, and how fast? Your profile says 40 lbs lost. Is that since last Aug.? 40 lbs in 10 months isn't crazy fast, and 110 lbs at 5'3" isn't underweight, so those don't send up huge red flags.

    You may want to see your doctor to rule out any other reasons for missing your period.

    Actually, I lost fifty pounds because when I first set up this account, I was ten pounds lighter. Then I gave up for a while *.* A little while later, I was 160 pounds and I thought it would be easier to do myfitnesspal to lose ten pounds then track my weight. That makes sense, right? So, I really lost fifty pounds not forty. I did see my doctor in the beginning of May. When I told her about my period concerns, she said it was my body getting used to the weight loss. However, now I'm maintaining and have been for two weeks now. I know for sure I am not pregnant and I eat a healthy amount of food every day. This is worrying me

    So go see a doctor for peace of mind at least.
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    What is a 'good amount' of food?
  • Originalcool
    Originalcool Posts: 15 Member
    Go to the doctor. Right away. Losing your period is your body's way to not get pregnant when it needs to use the energy in some other way. Might be weight loss related and might not be. Go to a general physician who will run many tests. Not just an OB/GYN who will put you on birth control to jump start it. Find out why it stopped in the first place. Mine was liver related. Go to the doctor!
    Thanks for telling me this! Last time I went to the doctors in early May, she told me the reason I have no period for the moment is because my body is getting used to the weight loss. However, now that I have been maintaining for two weeks with no sign of a period, it is quite reasonable to check up with her again. I know for sure I am not pregnant. Thanks again.
  • Originalcool
    Originalcool Posts: 15 Member
    Some women lose their period when they starve themselves. I've heard some women say that they did this and it never came back.
    It is certain I didn't starve myself. I ate a good portion of food with a lot of fruit and vegetables during/after my weight loss. But thanks for suggesting this.
  • jamieben1824
    jamieben1824 Posts: 46 Member
    That happened to me several years ago when I was eating WAY too little and exercising too much (its called Ammenoria) *spell check* and I didnt have a period for almost 2 years. The doctor will give you a pill to jump start it again which will take a few months. Its dangerous not to have a period. He/she or a nutritionist may be able to help you with your diet. Not saying its true for you, but usually this does happen when you are not eating enough. Have it checked out. Good luck!
  • punkrockgoth
    punkrockgoth Posts: 534 Member
    Go to the doctor. Right away. Losing your period is your body's way to not get pregnant when it needs to use the energy in some other way. Might be weight loss related and might not be. Go to a general physician who will run many tests. Not just an OB/GYN who will put you on birth control to jump start it. Find out why it stopped in the first place. Mine was liver related. Go to the doctor!
    Thanks for telling me this! Last time I went to the doctors in early May, she told me the reason I have no period for the moment is because my body is getting used to the weight loss. However, now that I have been maintaining for two weeks with no sign of a period, it is quite reasonable to check up with her again. I know for sure I am not pregnant. Thanks again.

    You've said a few times that your doctor has already said that it's your body's way of adjusting to the weight loss, but you've been maintaining for 2 weeks.

    Two weeks is not a long time. It can take months for the body to fully adjust to changes. If it will make you feel better, go see your doc again, but other than that, I'm not sure what you're hoping to hear from the community. It could be something, it could be nothing, either way your doc whom you've already seen is going to know better than we will.

  • princessrisariri
    princessrisariri Posts: 162 Member
    edited June 2015
    Are you on any contraceptive or other hormone pill/injection/implant?

    The slimmer you get the more concentrated the hormone becomes in your body.
    The healthier you are the faster it gets into your blood stream etc.
    Some contraceptive pills cause periods to stop all together if you take a certain dose.

    I'd get a checkup but if you are on a high dose or POP and there are no other issues then it is probably that and you will learn to enjoy the freedom.

    Mine stopped with my pill and docs say its normal and fine as long as it doesn't bother me I don't ovulate anymore so I don't need periods anymore! If I want them back just stop taking the pill for a couple months.

    It is not dangerous to not have a period, but it can be a symptom of something wrong.

    E.G if you are not having one it means you don't need one, because you are not ovulating. So you need to know if that is because of malnutrition/illness instead of a pill doing it intentionally for contraception.
  • Originalcool
    Originalcool Posts: 15 Member
    That happened to me several years ago when I was eating WAY too little and exercising too much (its called Ammenoria) *spell check* and I didnt have a period for almost 2 years. The doctor will give you a pill to jump start it again which will take a few months. Its dangerous not to have a period. He/she or a nutritionist may be able to help you with your diet. Not saying its true for you, but usually this does happen when you are not eating enough. Have it checked out. Good luck!
    Thanks for telling me your story. It's strange because during my weight loss, I was eating reasonable portions and not working out hard. Always added calories when I did work out. I know for certain if I don't get my period in the next two weeks, I will definitely talk with my doctor about that pill. Thanks again.
  • Originalcool
    Originalcool Posts: 15 Member
    Are you on any contraceptive or other hormone pill/injection/implant?

    The slimmer you get the more concentrated the hormone becomes in your body.
    The healthier you are the faster it gets into your blood stream etc.
    Some contraceptive pills cause periods to stop all together if you take a certain dose.

    I'd get a checkup but if there are no other issues then don't complain, enjoy the freedom. Mine stopped with my pill and docs say its normal and fine as long as it doesn't bother me I don't ovulate anymore so I don't need periods anymore! If I want them back just stop taking the pill for a couple months.
    I am not on any hormone pill, injection, or implant. Last time I talked to my doctor it was in early May. She told me my body was taking time to get used to my weight loss. However, now I have been maintaining for two weeks and shouldn't it be back by now? Thanks for telling me this. I hope there are not any issues. I'll try to schedule an appointment with my doctor sometime
  • Originalcool
    Originalcool Posts: 15 Member
    edited June 2015
    Thanks everyone for helping with this problem! For now, I got my answer. So, thank you again. There is no more reason for this post to be active. :smile: Goodbye.
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    Some women lose their period when they starve themselves. I've heard some women say that they did this and it never came back.

    Nonsense.
  • madhatter2013
    madhatter2013 Posts: 1,547 Member
    To the OP, two weeks isn't long. I'd give it a couple more and then be concerned. Maybe your cycle just hasn't caught up with your loss yet.
    Its dangerous not to have a period.

    I'm curious what your reasoning behind this is. I have been on birth control in some shape or form for the last 17 years and I have only had my cycle when I got off BC for the few months before getting pregnant, twice to have my children. Basically I've had my cycle totalling about 6 months in the last 17 years and I'm perfectly healthy. I wonder what dangers you think I have to look forward to?
  • JayRuby84
    JayRuby84 Posts: 557 Member
    Two weeks is a very short "period" of time for your body to transition back to having a period. But still, seeing your doctor is a wise idea.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    at this point, it would be good to check with your doctor. Losing your period can happen with a ton of exercise. cross country runners I knew didn't get theirs. But dr. always check with your dr if something changes with your body. always.
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    edited June 2015
    1. If your body is below what your personal body considers essential fat, you won't have periods. This is somewhere between 10-17% body fat depending on the woman. Your weight doesn't actually matter that much.

    2. If your body feels particularly stressed, you might not have periods. That's usually through calorie restriction (so DURING dieting) or else really heavy exercise. Two weeks isn't long enough for you to suddenly get your period back. You're usually put into suppression at the beginning of the follicular phase, so I wouldn't expect anything until 3 weeks, minimum. If your body fat percent is above 15% (especially) and you're on maintenance with eating and the pause continues longer than 3 months, YES, you should be concerned. Drop your activity level drastically for a full month and see what that does. If it comes back, raise your activity level a little by little to see what your particular body tolerates.

    3. Not having a period itself is not dangerous. In fact, doing things like having kids and prolonged breastfeeding are actually protective against certain cancer.

    4. Not having a period because of one of the above is dangerous because it leads to loss in bone density and other issues. If you are not having a period because of one of the above, taking hormones to "jump start" your periods does nothing about the actual risks involved.

    5. Periods can be anywhere between 21 and 35 days apart and be considered normal. If your cycle ends up lengthening, you're fine.

    6. There is a possibility that it isn't related to your weight and exercise, in which case you would have premature ovarian failure. This is FAR, FAR less likely. And what you're describing does not fit the description of POF. There are also rare hormonal imbalances where you get egg cysts like in PCOS that don't rupture with ovulation but you're not overweight. This is insanely unlikely but possible. In this case, there's really nothing to be done until you want to have kids but you don't have to be concerned that it's because of your weight and exercise.

    7. If nothing above works, ask to see a reproductive endocrinologist. That's who can properly diagnose what's going on. Your GP and OB/GYN won't have the first clue.
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    mirrim52 wrote: »
    Have you not had a period at all since Feb, or has it been irregular?
    How much have you lost, and how fast? Your profile says 40 lbs lost. Is that since last Aug.? 40 lbs in 10 months isn't crazy fast, and 110 lbs at 5'3" isn't underweight, so those don't send up huge red flags.

    You may want to see your doctor to rule out any other reasons for missing your period.


    5'3" and 110 pounds certainly can be underweight depending on bone structure, etc.

    No. But it can be under fat. 5'3" and 120lbs can be under fat.
  • sarahmoo12
    sarahmoo12 Posts: 756 Member
    I would say your body is still adjusting it can take a right few months for it to regulate but you'r better going to your doc in case there is something else going on
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    mirrim52 wrote: »
    Have you not had a period at all since Feb, or has it been irregular?
    How much have you lost, and how fast? Your profile says 40 lbs lost. Is that since last Aug.? 40 lbs in 10 months isn't crazy fast, and 110 lbs at 5'3" isn't underweight, so those don't send up huge red flags.

    You may want to see your doctor to rule out any other reasons for missing your period.


    5'3" and 110 pounds certainly can be underweight depending on bone structure, etc.

    My bone structure is on the small side and I do not look underweight. During my two weeks of maintaining, I have had a good amount of food every day. I've also had a lot of fruit and veggies. So, my lack of menstruation cycles is not because of my weight. I know for sure I am not pregnant. Any other ideas? Thanks.

    Fruits and vegetables make no difference.
  • madhatter2013
    madhatter2013 Posts: 1,547 Member
    Thanks everyone for helping with this problem! For now, I got my answer. So, thank you again. There is no more reason for this post to be active. :smile: Goodbye.

    Ahahaha, she thinks she can stop a thread once it's started. Ahahahahaha
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    Thanks everyone for helping with this problem! For now, I got my answer. So, thank you again. There is no more reason for this post to be active. :smile: Goodbye.

    Ahahaha, she thinks she can stop a thread once it's started. Ahahahahaha

    Especially when she got some bad answers in the bunch. :P
  • kissesdahling
    kissesdahling Posts: 38 Member
    Your medical doctor should run blood tests, check liver, thyroid, etc. Have you had any other symptoms, like hair loss? If they give you a clean bill of health, talk to your gyno. They can run different blood tests and check for other causes. Also, remember: the only way you can be 100% sure you're not pregnant is abstinence. It's rare, but women can become pregnant on birth control, so don't rely on that. Usually, when a woman isn't pregnant, and a doctor has ruled out pregnancy with a blood test to be extra sure, they start checking for other causes like illness or thyroid. So, it really is very important you check thyroid.

    Is it possible that you are anemic? And remember: You can get enough calories (or more than enough) and still be malnourished. Fruits and vegetables aren't the only things. You need adequate fats and proteins as well. While you should still see a doctor no matter what (and perhaps seek a second opinion if you are told again this is normal), if you open up your food diary, people who are well-versed in nutrition might be able to give you some pointers, if that were to be a factor.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    edited June 2015
    In August of last year, I began losing weight. In February, I started missing my period. When I asked a friend (who lost a lot of weight) about missing my period, she responded that happens when the body is going through some changes. Finally, I reached my goal weight earlier this month (June 11th). Now I am 5'3 and 110 pounds and I've been maintaining my weight with no difficulty. However, it's been two weeks on maintaining and I still have not had my period yet. Is this normal? If you had this problem too, when did you get your period again? Thanks for reading.

    ... It's been two weeks. Do you normally get your period every two weeks? Anyway, give it 3 months for your body to normalize (that's how long doctors say it can take to normalize when your hormones change - which does happen going from maintaining to losing to maintaining). Then if it isn't back, go see a doctor or put on 2 lbs and see if that helps.

    Funny enough I have the opposite problem.. when I lose weight I get my period all the time. And then it goes back to normal when I eat more.