Acupuncture curing amenorrhea?

[sparky141978]

I have seen numerous posts on here about amenorrhea and I have also posted months ago about my amenorrhea experience. I'm going on year 3 without a period (unless induced by drugs or BC). I have also been trying to conceive. In the meantime I've cut back on the workouts, increase calories, and added some bodyfat. I'm worried it may be too late. I'll start taking fertility shots again this month (menopur) and this will be my 3rd cycle. I didn't knowif anyone has used acupuncture as a cure and what your experience was. I"m desperate. I don't want to hear that I have to completely stop lifting! I don't even run and haven't for a few years now.
I think my body is out of whack.I also have low estrogen and progesterone.

[Byakuya]

well, acupuncture will make you bleed. ;) sorry.. :p

I've read that amenorrhea can be caused from being in a calorie deficit for extended periods of time. your body is basically saying "well I'm not getting enough calories, so pregnancy would be a bad idea".. try increasing your calorie intake a little more for awhile and see what happens. don't lose hope! my friend thought it was totally impossible for his wife to get pregnant, and now they have a happy little girl.

[Glamorous]

I have seen numerous posts on here about amenorrhea and I have also posted months ago about my amenorrhea experience. I'm going on year 3 without a period (unless induced by drugs or BC). I have also been trying to conceive. In the meantime I've cut back on the workouts, increase calories, and added some bodyfat. I'm worried it may be too late. I'll start taking fertility shots again this month (menopur) and this will be my 3rd cycle. I didn't knowif anyone has used acupuncture as a cure and what your experience was. I"m desperate. I don't want to hear that I have to completely stop lifting! I don't even run and haven't for a few years now.
I think my body is out of whack.I also have low estrogen and progesterone.

No experience with your question.

But, my question is, what is your diet like? Macros/Calories, etc. Can you give us specific examples of a daily meal plan?

Are you only lifting weights at this point?

[lil_legs_runner]

i had to gain 10 lbs for all the exercise i was doing. i'm not happy with 10 lbs on my 4'10" body, but, well, i'm fertile again. sometimes, at least in MY case, you just have to decide what you want more, the body or the baby.

[kpettitt]

I have seen numerous posts on here about amenorrhea and I have also posted months ago about my amenorrhea experience. I'm going on year 3 without a period (unless induced by drugs or BC). I have also been trying to conceive. In the meantime I've cut back on the workouts, increase calories, and added some bodyfat. I'm worried it may be too late. I'll start taking fertility shots again this month (menopur) and this will be my 3rd cycle. I didn't knowif anyone has used acupuncture as a cure and what your experience was. I"m desperate. I don't want to hear that I have to completely stop lifting! I don't even run and haven't for a few years now.
I think my body is out of whack.I also have low estrogen and progesterone.

Sparky-
I am going on one year with out my period... I go to see another doctor next monday. I have also had Progesterone tablets and BC, neither of which brought on my period. I've gained about 10 pounds over the last 3 months to try to push myself into a period. I get all the emotions and cravings.... then nothing happens and it all passes. But I have had ultrasounds, bloodwork, everything but fertility shots. So I'm very intresed to see if/how it works as well. Its definalty a scary/emotional thing. A year ago I wanted to donate my eggs, now I think about how crule it would be if I had to go and use someone elses donated eggs. :( I'd love to hear other stories from people that have come thru Amenorrhea as well.

oh yeah- I also upped my Calories from 1600 to about 2400.

[andrerox80]

how long has it been since you increased cals, cut down on working out, and increased bf? b/c i think that's what it's going to come down to. if it's been a while, you might need to do (change) even more than you did. so hard but i think it's the only way.

[Tiffany_P]

I'm sorry you're having trouble. A lot of people have had success with accupuncture for infertility. From what I understand, along with the accupuncture they give you herbal supplements such as vitex to regulate your hormones and normalize your cycles (I'm not sure what they do if you don't have cycles, but it's worth a try). What have you tried so far? Are you seeing an RE?

[sparky141978]

I started gaining some bodyfat the past few months so I know it will take longer. The scale is reading the same, but I can tell by the way my pants fit that i'm gaining some fat. I have been taking vitex (800 mg) daily for the past 3 months (I go off it during shots as recommended). It's scary as I get older to not have a period knowing the end result could be bone loss. I stopped running about 2 years ago, but would walk 2 days a week or so. I think my calories may have been restricted for so long. It's hard to find balance in eating clean and then enjoying life?? My diet isn't as restricted but generally this is what I eat:
1/2 cup oats (flaxseed, walnuts, cinnamon, strawberries
4 egg whites
snack: (skim latte) handful of almonds (12 or so)
(2) Turkey Muffins (include lean turkey and oats)

Lunch- Spinach salad w/ feta and either 4-6 oz of chicken/brocolli or a turkey wrap w/ pesto, artichoke, spinach.
Snack- Builder Bar or Greek Yogurt and almonds
If I workout in the evening I have a Protein Shake w/ banana and then dinner an hour later
Dinner
4-6 oz salmon, chicken, tuna w/ a veg and quinoa or rice or sweet potato
Every night before bed 1/2 cup cottage cheese w/ 1 TBSP PB melted and toppe w/ some PP powder
I have to be getting enough calories!!!
I appreciate all your thoughts, I feel like I'm never going to be regular again. I am going back to the doctor next week to get my progesterone tested again so I can go back on the shots. Yes, I'm also seeing an RE at this point.

[Tiffany_P]

Since you are eating a lot, gaining weight, and not overtraining, I really don't think it's related to your lifestyle. Plenty of people get pregnant and maintain healthy pregnancies while continuing to train much more intensely than you do. Hopefully your RE will be able to figure out what's wrong with you and get you back on track. Best of luck!

[krazy_kurly]

Here's how mine worked:

I dropped my BF low low low and the periods stopped. Then, I ate more, decreased my exercise thereby gaining weight/fat, and that alone did not cause my periods to return. BC didn't help, and I don't like them, so I saw a chiropractor (she actually requested me, kind of as an 'experiement' to see if she could help in cases like mine), and lo and behold 2 months later my baby-making-machine revved up and I've been humming normally ever since :)

If they're doing it right, I don't see how it can hurt you. It's worth trying! And I loved the chiro, so maybe that's worh a shot, trying to find one who can help you. Good luck!!!

[girl81]

Here's how mine worked:

I dropped my BF low low low and the periods stopped. Then, I ate more, decreased my exercise thereby gaining weight/fat, and that alone did not cause my periods to return. BC didn't help, and I don't like them, so I saw a chiropractor (she actually requested me, kind of as an 'experiement' to see if she could help in cases like mine), and lo and behold 2 months later my baby-making-machine revved up and I've been humming normally ever since :)

If they're doing it right, I don't see how it can hurt you. It's worth trying! And I loved the chiro, so maybe that's worh a shot, trying to find one who can help you. Good luck!!!

What exactly did she do?

[MGG98]

I lost mine for about a year. First doc. said don't worry about it just enjoy being without it! lol! Next time he changed his tune and I had to start the pill every 4months to bring it on. Didn't work...Next doc put me on progesterone (sp) didn't work...Then one day after a week of very unhealthy eating not caring what so ever about what I ate and not a single workout...it reappeared... But we shall see what happens next month...

I wish you the best of luck!

[andrerox80]

[QUOTE=krazy_kurly;433250501]
so I saw a chiropractor QUOTE]

a chiro??

[sparky141978]

I'm starting to think that taking it out of the hands of science and trying acupuncture or chiro might not be a bad idea...it cannot hurt? I wish I could just stop working out and eating whatever I wanted! I just can't!

[twinnett]

I lost my period for 3 yrs b/c of low bodyfat, low calories and overexercise. Unfortunately, I didn't get mine back until I gained a TON of bodyfat. It's normal now, but I feel like crap!!

[nea_lin]

I used to get mine normally before and during the pill. Then I went off the pill, and I still haven't gotten it back. It's been over a year. I've even gained weight, but still no luck :(

[sparky141978]

I've set an appointment for acupuncture treatment. I'll let you all know how it goes!

[kpettitt]

I've set an appointment for acupuncture treatment. I'll let you all know how it goes!

Please do! And good luck!!
I had an appointment with my OBGYN yesterday and he said all of my bloodwork, ultrasounds, and pelvic exam were normal and no cause for alarm. I have not had any headachs or blurred vision so he is no concerned at this point and told me that I most likely have even had a period but it was so light that I might not have noticed. (which I have seen some very VERY lightly tinged spotting) My main reason in seeking medical attention is that my mom wants me to have kids someday and thinks that bodybuilding has ruined my life. lol but the doctor assured me that none of my supplements/vitamins/workouts/diet were the cause. And he is a doctor I trust. But to make my mommy happy, I am doing 10 days of progestrone and then going on a 3 month cycle of BC. which I'm not happy about because it screws me up mentally.... but whatever it takes to make my mom happy. :)

[sparky141978]

One thing I've learned is the doctor is NOT always right, you can trust them,but you can also question them. Bodybuilding is great as wel as fitness, but sometimes it can affect your body when you are too restrictive with your diet and it can be harmful as I am finding out. You should definitely look at BB as the reason you don't have your period. The doctor is not always right. I had an OB put me on Clomid which was the completely wrong drug. Always ask questions and never assume they are right.

[fitnessfreak88]

One thing I've learned is the doctor is NOT always right, you can trust them,but you can also question them. Bodybuilding is great as wel as fitness, but sometimes it can affect your body when you are too restrictive with your diet and it can be harmful as I am finding out. You should definitely look at BB as the reason you don't have your period. The doctor is not always right. I had an OB put me on Clomid which was the completely wrong drug. Always ask questions and never assume they are right.

You are definitely right about doctors not always being right. I have always been told by doctors that it is low bodyfat that causes you to stop having periods. However, I don't believe that this is the only factor. After a very short time of extreme undereating my periods stopped even though I was still a normal weight. That was when I was 14 and I have not had a period since (except when on BC). Although I am now slightly underweight, I have been a normal weight the vast majority of the last 7 years but have not had a period at all in that time.

I might try acupuncture. I will be very interested to hear your experience with it.

[ms_proteinshake]

Do you know if your ovulating still???

You can still be ovulating even without a period (similar to what its like when breastfeeding) and get pregnant. Having a period and ovulating are NOT related....only thing is its tough to tell when its actually happening when your not getting a period as a guide!

[Tiffany_P]

Do you know if your ovulating still???

You can still be ovulating even without a period (similar to what its like when breastfeeding) and get pregnant. Having a period and ovulating are NOT related....only thing is its tough to tell when its actually happening when your not getting a period as a guide!

I don't think this is true. I know you can have your period without ovulating, but the reverse is not true. Once you ovulate, unless the egg is fertilized, you will get your period 10-16 days later. Where did you hear that you can be ovulating and not getting a period? Do you have a source for that?

[Glamorous]

^ Very true.

I have very obvious symptoms when I'm ovulating, so I can pretty much track it, if I wanted. I am not trying to get pregnant, but it will definitely make things easier by knowing the symptoms, when that time comes.

[sparky141978]

I am definitely not ovulating. The doctor told me that I'm not (you can tell by my progesterone levels).

[fitnessfreak88]

I think that you deinitely cannot ovulate without having a period. However, I was told that I may spontaneously ovulate so if I am sexually active I need to take some kind of 'precauations' to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.

[girl81]

I'm still curious as to what a chiro can do to stimulate the period. ???
GL with accupuncture Sparky; I hope you let us know how it works out.

[Tiffany_P]

I think that you deinitely cannot ovulate without having a period. However, I was told that I may spontaneously ovulate so if I am sexually active I need to take some kind of 'precauations' to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.

Yes, this is exactly correct.

[Tiffany_P]

I had an OB put me on Clomid which was the completely wrong drug. Always ask questions and never assume they are right.

I've heard that in general, OB's are too quick to put people on Clomid.

Have you ever heard of a progesterone shutdown? I think it involves taking a progesterone supplement for three months straight. It has helped some people get their cycles back on track. Hopefully the accupuncture will do the trick for you, but if not, then this is something to look into.

[sparky141978]

Well I went to the acupunturist and you have to be familiar w/ Eastern Medicine to undertand a Spleen deficiency. I would recommend it, very interesting to do some research on your own. For example, my difficulty sleeping is affiliated with a spleen deficiency too.

So I'm trying acupunture and an Eastern diet which means I will stay off these boards, b/c it's so far from a BB diet. Low protein, high carb (grains, rice, quinoa, etc) no wheat and no dairy. LOTS of cooked veggies, no raw foods or cold foods (salads, spinach, etc)..did I mention no dairy! It's Day 1, I'm hungry and I want my coffee...no coffee too.

[lauren921]

Are you all sure about no period = no ovulation? I went off Depo several months ago and even though I haven't had a period, my docs have assured me that I can still get pregnant.

[Tiffany_P]

Are you all sure about no period = no ovulation? I went off Depo several months ago and even though I haven't had a period, my docs have assured me that I can still get pregnant.

Of course you can still get pregnant, because you never know WHEN ovulation will happen. Once you DO ovulate, then you will get your period 10-14 days later. Make sense? That's why you can't safely use it as birth control.

[lauren921]

Of course you can still get pregnant, because you never know WHEN ovulation will happen. Once you DO ovulate, then you will get your period 10-14 days later. Make sense? That's why you can't safely use it as birth control.

Ohhh...I thought they meant I was ripe as soon as I went off the stuff.

[ms_proteinshake]

I don't think this is true. I know you can have your period without ovulating, but the reverse is not true. Once you ovulate, unless the egg is fertilized, you will get your period 10-16 days later. Where did you hear that you can be ovulating and not getting a period? Do you have a source for that?

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/ovulationfaq.htm

:) Scroll to about half way down the page. It says if its due to breastfeeding or low bodyfat, its still possible to ovulate even if your not getting a period.

[imperfectly_lou]

I'm a big supporter of Chinese Medicine provided you go to someone suitably qualified. Proper traditional chinese medical practitioners have over 5 years of university training. I used to see someone for fatigue related issues having exhausted all other options in conventional medicine (and I'm a RN so in no way am I a non-believer in regular medicine). It really did help a lot but due to $$ issues I had to stop going

[Tiffany_P]

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/ovulationfaq.htm

:) Scroll to about half way down the page. It says if its due to breastfeeding or low bodyfat, its still possible to ovulate even if your not getting a period.

You're not understanding it. Read it again.


Can I ovulate without having a period?
Since a woman releases an egg 12-16 days before her expected period, it is possible for women to get pregnant without having periods. Women who are not menstruating due to a certain condition (i.e.?low body weight, breastfeeding, perimenopause) risk the chance of ovulating at any point. For those who want to conceive, the lack of periods could make it more difficult to know the timing of ovulation if you are not charting temperature and cervical fluid changes. But if you are not having periods and wanting to prevent pregnancy, a form of contraception should be used since there is no way to know when ovulation will occur.


This supports exactly what I've been saying. You MIGHT ovulate at any point if you're not getting your period, but if you do, then 10-14 days later, you WILL get your period unless you get pregnant. Get it? If you haven't gotten your period in the last year, then you haven't ovulated. However, you can't use this as birth control because you never know when ovulation will start up again. Does that make sense? If you're trying to conceive, then not getting your period is a very bad thing. If you're trying to avoid, then you can't really count on it as birth control because you never know if ovulation will resume.

[sparky141978]

So I went to an acupunturist and after only two treatments I do not have my period back, but I can sleep! This is a wonderful thing. I am starting a more Eastern Diet which is so oppositve of a BB diet so I'm trying to find balance. Eliminating dairy (my CC) was probably the hardest thing I've had to do so far. Wish me luck! I guess my Qi is out of whack. I just want my period! Plus I got my bodyfat tested last week, I live near the U of Minnesota and they have the most accurate BF testing around (beats the water testing and takes 2 minutes in a bod pod). It's 20.8, I'm in the healthy lean category, so if you are testing your BF% other ways there is definitely going to be a 2-3% margin of error. My girlfriend thought she was 17-20 and she was 27% and she is in the healthy range, but thought she was much lower.

[Tiffany_P]

Hey, thanks for checking in with us. I've been wondering how you're doing. Keep us posted! Sounds promising so far. I can't imagine eating a low-protein diet. Let's hope it works!

[Akalia]

I didn't have time to read every post, so not sure if anyone had a similar response to mine, but I am an Acupuncturist and have had really great results with treating Amenorrhea. There's no reason you can't continue to weight train, but you do need to make sure you're keeping the healthy fat intake up. Your Acupuncturist will likely prescribe you herbs that are also helpful to build what we call the "Spleen Qi" plus "the blood and yin" to help regulate the menstruation. Likely your body is working from a bit of a depleted state from being on a restricted diet in the past. This can lead to several patterns, such as Spleen Qi deficiency (I'm just going to assume from your post above that this was your diagnosis so I'll only talk about that) where the Spleen isn't working at it's best to transform the food you give it into Qi and Blood. An easy solution is a Spleen nourishing diet. You can still eat protein, but you might want to consider incorporating it in soups with lots of veggies. Your acupuncturist is right, no raw foods and no dairy for this condition :) but it doesn't mean you have to go crazy on the carbs. Having fibrous carbs like yams or squash as part of your soup or just steamed along with a piece of fish or chicken and lots of greens is enough. Myself, the only grain I usually eat is Quinoa and a bit of brown rice.. or maybe oatmeal at breakie. The reason she or he has told you no dairy, is that it has a real "damp" forming quality to it, kinda like throwing a wet blanket onto the fire you're trying to cook (transform) your food on. The (Chinese medicine) Spleen *hates* to be damp, so if it's not functioning at it's best, be nice to it and keep the dairy far away.

Hope that helps :) I may not know a ton about body building yet, but I do know a heck of a lot about Eastern Medicine theory