Women's issue question.

kbarrett0701
kbarrett0701 Posts: 54 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Has anyone stopped having their period before? I've lost 149 pounds and this month, my visitor didn't show up, for the first time ever.

Replies

  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    Sometimes it can happen if you're dieting or very active, even if you're at a healthy weight or higher. It's not likely to last after you increase your intake back to maintenance unless your body fat is very low (like into the bodybuilding or elite athlete range.) If it's still happening after three months you should see your doctor, though, and make sure there isn't anything major going on.
  • queenofpuppies
    queenofpuppies Posts: 189 Member
    a quick google search says you shouldn't have that problem unless your body fat percentage drops below about 17%. I would take an OTC pregnancy test to be sure, and then go to the doctor if aunt flow doesn't show up. It could also be stress...but that usually just delays it a few days or a week.
  • ogtmama
    ogtmama Posts: 1,403 Member
    I'm going to assume you've already checked the obvious?
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    edited July 2016
    Yes, it has happened to me and I'm at that point right now. Nowadays if I cut more than 200-250 calories I lose my period. While I've always had various weird issues regarding my menstrual cycle and accepted it as my norm (after plenty of testing), I'm now choosing to eat at maintenance and just recomp. I'm getting older and more worried about other related issues (female athletic triad, osteoporosis, etc.) so that's the change I'm making.

    And no, you don't have to be below 17% fat to lose your period. It can happen due to underfueling your activity level, which can happen even when you have an average or above average energy store on hand (i.e., fat) and even when you're not going crazy cutting at an excessive deficit. I'm at around 26% bf FWIW.

    I definitely suggest seeing a doctor if this is the first that this has happened to you.
  • Maxematics
    Maxematics Posts: 2,287 Member
    Kind of. For background, I'm 31 years old, 5'3", and 109 pounds. BF% calculators put me at 17 to 18% BF and my Fitbit Aria puts me at a laughable 15 to 16%; I still think I'm 21 to 22%. I workout for 45 to 60 minutes six days per week, weights mostly and some cardio, and walk 15K+ steps per day. Prior to weight loss and exercising, my period would come exactly when expected every month without issue. Things didn't start to change until I hit around the 110 to 113 pound range in February.
    • In March, my period came a week late.
    • In April, my period came a week later than what should have been the new due date based on March.
    • In May, my period came a week early.
    • In June, my period came a week earlier than what should have been the new due date based on May. This time it lasted for a whopping 11 days, though quite light and sporadic on days 7 through 11.
    • July is now the waiting game. Am I due in 4 days or 11 days based on June's nonsense? I don't know, but I'll find out soon enough. :/
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    When I was a full time yoga teacher and very active, it was normal for me to have a 6 week and sometimes three month cycle. While I was definitely not under-eating during this time, under-eating can cause loss of menstruation.

    Congrats on your 149 pound loss! How tall are you and how many calories per day are you eating? If you're not at your goal weight, what's your current weekly weight loss goal and how many pounds until you reach goal?
  • abatonfan
    abatonfan Posts: 1,120 Member
    Get it checked out, especially if you think it is pregnancy or if you don't have any more periods for a few more months.

    I haven't had a period in almost a year (21 year old female around the midpoint of the healthy BMI range who lost about 100lbs in 3 years, had normal cycles up until maybe 2-3 cycle before my last one), and I'm now in the middle of figuring out why I'm having these issues. Both my endo and gyno think it's something either related to my uterus (estrogen production? -my estrogen was lowish), or pituitary/hypothalamus (LH-related -my LH was really low), so now I'm having fun waiting to see what the pituitary MRI and pelvic ultrasound say. At this point, the gyno told me I'm structurally similar to someone in menopause, and I'm not too certain if I'll ever be able to have kids (it looks like I'm simply not ovulating).
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    At 5'3 I think u should weigh around 115... Maybe eat more and exercise less
  • smiles4jo
    smiles4jo Posts: 202 Member
    I actually had the opposite problem. My entire life, my cycle has been wonky, going anywhere from about 40-70 days. It's only in the last 6 months since I started eating better and losing 40lbs that my cycle is a regular 32 days.

    Funny part is that I've weighed my current weight (175 lbs at 5'6", so not thin, but not obese either) and my cycle never settled, so I'm guessing it's just generally taking better care of myself.

    Anyway, all that to say that yes, weight loss can play with your hormones.
  • lenoresdream
    lenoresdream Posts: 522 Member
    There's some great advice and points in here.

    If it keeps going on for months it could be a sign of a serious medical condition and at that point my best advice would be to see an ob-gyn.

    My period was always very heavy and abnormal but for a few months it was almost non-existant. And I had bad pains. I went to an ob-gyn and my left ovary &fallopian tube were so infected I was about a week away from being septic and hospitalized.

    Not saying that's what it is, (god forbid) but it's always better to be safe and get long-term issues checked out.

    Good luck, OP. <3
  • Maxematics
    Maxematics Posts: 2,287 Member
    NaturalNancy wrote: »
    At 5'3 I think u should weigh around 115... Maybe eat more and exercise less

    I'm sorry, was this in reference to me? I ask because nobody else here mentioned being 5'3" and under 115 except for me. I actually eat a good amount of calories already at 1800 to 2000 per day. Also, 115 pounds is a bit too much for my frame; I'm part Asian and can be a little more flexible with my weight/the BMI scale. I appreciate it, though.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Yes, but not due to weight loss.
  • janetennet
    janetennet Posts: 143 Member
    I spoke to my doctor about this previously as I was having two cycles a month :s
    He mentioned that a fluctuation in weight of as little as 500grms (either way) can effect your menstrual cycle, as you have lost a considerable amount of weight (over a considerable amount of time, I'm sure) it is possible that this is what has happened to you and your body needs to rectify itself. Perhaps wait another few days and see if you have a visit otherwise book an appointment with your doctor to see what he/she says:smile:
  • michelleepotter
    michelleepotter Posts: 800 Member
    I clicked on this thread and while I waited for it to load I was thinking, "I wonder if it's a problem that I haven't gotten my period yet this month..."

    Mine has always been erratic, though. But it's been long enough that I'd be thinking pregnancy if that was still possible. (I had some of the necessary parts removed a few months ago, but I should still get a period.) I know my calories are set high enough and I'm eating back ALL of my exercise calories, but I guess I have been exercising a lot more. But not THAT much, KWIM?
    abatonfan wrote: »
    Get it checked out, especially if you think it is pregnancy or if you don't have any more periods for a few more months.

    I haven't had a period in almost a year (21 year old female around the midpoint of the healthy BMI range who lost about 100lbs in 3 years, had normal cycles up until maybe 2-3 cycle before my last one), and I'm now in the middle of figuring out why I'm having these issues. Both my endo and gyno think it's something either related to my uterus (estrogen production? -my estrogen was lowish), or pituitary/hypothalamus (LH-related -my LH was really low), so now I'm having fun waiting to see what the pituitary MRI and pelvic ultrasound say. At this point, the gyno told me I'm structurally similar to someone in menopause, and I'm not too certain if I'll ever be able to have kids (it looks like I'm simply not ovulating).

    I'm so sorry you are having these issues. I don't want to assume how you feel about possibly not having kids, but I hope your life works out in a way that makes you happy. *hugs*
  • cinnag4225
    cinnag4225 Posts: 126 Member
    According to my doctor lifestyle (specifically dietary and activity) changes can initially wreak havoc on a woman's cycle, and I'm certainly experiencing havoc. My normal cycle is 6 weeks with a heavy 5 day period, but since changing my diet and activity levels I'm down to a 30 day cycle with roughly a 10 day period (light the first 3 days, heavy for 2, medium-light the remaining 5 days). Even if you are at a healthy weight now, if you carried the weight a long time and lost it relatively quickly, that can trick your body into skipping periods for a while (heck, even stress without weight gain/loss can cause skipped periods). Assuming you've ruled out pregnancy and there are no other obvious problems, give it 60 days. If nothing's happened by then, arrange to see your physician or a specialist.
  • mumblemagic
    mumblemagic Posts: 1,090 Member
    Pregnancy check followed by trip to the doc. As others have said, it's not uncommon for hormones to be messed up by weight loss but you need to get the doc to check you out anyway.
  • kbarrett0701
    kbarrett0701 Posts: 54 Member
    For sure its not pregnancy. I did an inbody test and it says I'm at a 23.4%. Now, I have excess skin so I'm not sure if that's even accurate.

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