Time between periods

Weight gain and loss can affect your menstrual cycle. I always suggest that women who see changes in their cycles see their doctor for a checkup. My own cycle was most normal when I was my heaviest. It was terrible (painful, widely varying in length, etc.) when I was younger, steadied after I had my daughter and remained heavy, and then went crazy again (length-wise, thankfully not pain-wise) once I started losing weight. Right now it varies between 30 and 70 days. But that is normal *for me* so I'm comfortable with it. Before you decide yours is normal for you, I'd suggest a checkup.

My cycle did not ever change with weight gain and loss.
I also agree that you should get a check up.

When i was at my heaviest my Dr put me on Provera. I had to take it every three months if i didn't have a period on my own. Had to take it twice. Once i got around 20-25 pounds down i started on my own and haven't had to have it since. Though i had gained my last 25-30 lbs in about 8 months. That might have had something to do with it too.

Yup. I'm having this issue right now (I was previously getting it every 30-40 days, lost 80-100lbs over the course of 2.5-3 years, then was only getting my period every 90 days, and now I haven't had a period since July). My endocrinologist already knows about it, and though my LH and estradiol levels are low, they're clueless about why it's happening from a hormonal standpoint (my FSH is normal, so it can't be something wrong with the hypothalamus/pituitary/ovaries, since LH and FSH tend to both be abnormal in those cases).

At this point, it looks like it's time to pay the lady doctor a visit and see what they think needs to be done. I hate to complain about not having a period, but at the same time I don't like messing with some of the risks that occur with no menses (there's some correlations between amenorrhea and osteoporosis, and I'm already at a heightened risk for it because of my small bone frame, issues maintaining adequate serum vitamin D levels, and love of coffee).

KatelynElerson wrote: »

Hello ladies! I have a question. So I'm 23, 5'4, 200lbs. I've always had pretty regular periods. The past year, my periods have been on average 56 days apart. Lately they've been getting to be 60-71 days apart. When I was younger they were every month like clockwork. Can weight gain decrease the amount of periods you have? I'm just curious if this has happened to anyone else.

Thanks y'all!

Probably being overweight causes you to skip ovulation every other time. You may return to normal once you lose weight. Unless you're trying to conceive, it's likely no big deal.

...What are the most common weight-related reasons for infertility?

The two most common problems are excess estrogen and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Along with both of these is a greater chance of a luteal phase defect (LPD).

Estrogen: Fat cells produce estrogen (estrone - E1). The problem is that if you get too much estrogen your body reacts as if it is on birth control. Ovulation may not occur or it may be inadequate. An inadequate ovulation contributes to LPD, mentioned below.

I have Mirena and was averaging 80 or more days between cycles. Then in November last year after dropping 50lbs I got my period and have had one once a month within 28-30 every month since. Boo. I kinda liked having 6 months between them.

Normal except for when I had just started restricting calories, that threw it off by about 7 days

my cycle changed dramatically the more harder cardio I did. I LOVE MY CARDIO!