Amenorrhea

Gracehbd · 07-10-2009, 11:29 AM

Obviously this is an "issue" for many women that lift, especially those who get seriously into it. I've seen some women on this site tellilng others that they risk loosing their periods if they lower their bf etc, and sometimes talking about the osteoporosis risk. But there are still plenty with bfs too low to be having periods, not least the professionals. Myself, I'd hate to have to increase my bf - I hope to get it lower. I've never had periods, other than when I went on the pill to make myself have them, due in part to my genes, and to anorexia. Right now I'm technically "underweight", I don't know whether if I were heavier, they would start or not. I rather feel that they probably wouldn't.
I'm wondering - do some just ignore the risks and keep their bf too low for periods for years? Myself, I would (right now though, I'm desperately trying to gain weight, which I know might up my bf a little - I'm not sure exactly what's to blame for my current lack of periods) - do others feel the same? Evidently not everyone suddenly breaks all their bones from osteoporosis. To what extent does the lifting help strengthen bones?
Slightly confused post - sorry! Any thoughts?

swindled · 07-10-2009, 11:53 AM

Personally, Im pretty cautious about my period and making sure I have it. The lowest I will let my bodyfat go is 18%. I have a medical condition called PCOS, so me ovulating happens rarely anyway, but it also increases my risk of osteoporosis. Combine that with too low of a bf percentage, and Im putting my health in pretty serious risk.

I do want to have kids one day, so Im making sure that I get my period and that I dont really mess my body up. Plus osteoporosis is a major issue in my family with almost all the women on my mom's side ending up shrinking 3+ inches, and ending up in wheelchairs because of lack of bone density and sever osteoporosis. I personally want to put my long term health before my immediate concern over being muscular and fit.

Everyone will experience different things with a low bodyfat percentage, and Im sure that some of the women at a low bodyfat percentage still get their periods. Lifting weights does strengthen your bones and increase bone density, but not taking care of yourself as far as eating and working out excessively goes, it can have far more detrimental effects, and override the gains in muscle density you may have made. Even if you are lifting weights, if you are not feeding your body properly, it is unlikely that you will make any huge advancements in bone density.

A lot of the women on here do not maintain competition bodyfat all year round, and instead only do it while they are competing. As such, the possible detrimental effects of having a very low bodyfat percentage is minimized.

sonti · 07-10-2009, 12:26 PM

Don't confuse working out with being healthy. Being healthy should always take priority.

eriplex · 07-10-2009, 12:30 PM

When I first lost my period, that is when I realized I needed to do whatever I could to get it back. As much of a pain as it is, it is a natural part of life and you do not want to lose your period. I found upping my calories brought back my period. Like sonti said, being healthy should always take priority!

JasmineB09 · 07-10-2009, 12:32 PM

Hi!
I have had amenorrhea 3 times in my life. Let's just say that by the third time I had had this for an extended term (as in prior terms), I developed a severe case of hypoglycemia that has threatened my life numerous times as among other health issues. When your body starts to shut down, I remember it as one section at a time. Just some information for you.

Gracehbd · 07-10-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonti

Don't confuse working out with being healthy.

What? When did I do that?

misslizzard · 07-10-2009, 05:39 PM

i had it once for about a year. at the time i thought it was great (no cramps!) but the hormones were atrocious ... and coming back onto it, my cycle is MUCH MUCH different...im literally CRAZY around my pd (the hormones are so bad), im super early, super late, super heavy, my cramps are unreal. going to my doc to see what the deal is, i'm hoping it's just a readjustment and it will regulate itself soon enough.

robinsteal · 07-10-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasmineB09

Hi!
I have had amenorrhea 3 times in my life. Let's just say that by the third time I had had this for an extended term (as in prior terms), I developed a severe case of hypoglycemia that has threatened my life numerous times as among other health issues. When your body starts to shut down, I remember it as one section at a time. Just some information for you.

if you dont mind me asking what was the reason for the your loss of your period?

and op, i have not had my perod for about 6 months. this happened before when i was 14 but i had it induced and then got on the pill (for a short period of time) then i was regular for a couple of years (off the pill). recently i was diagnosed w/celiac disease (allergy to wheat,rye and barley) and lost 20 pounds from malnutrition due to the disease. i got off of the pill (after going on it for a year) in december and i have not had one since. i was 114 pounds when i was diagnosed and now being about 5-6 pounds heavier i still have not had one. even when you do gain back some weight it is going to take your body some time to reajust. you might want to see your doc if your really worried about it. but all in all you are really tiny and could do w/some meat on ya bones. lol. Good Luck!!!!!

Cathew · 07-10-2009, 07:59 PM

I've lost my period once at the end of my cut ( on my profile pic...) even if I was on the birth control pill! The moment I restart eating to maintenance It came back

But it was pretty light... Anyway, I've put some bodyfat back and I don't take the BC pill anymore. Don't have my period since a month and a half... Really don't know when it will came back but I'm sure my body juste need to adjust after 3 years.

Gracehbd · 07-11-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinsteal

you might want to see your doc if your really worried about it.

Wow, you have NO idea. I've had doctors berating me about it for years! I would LOVE for my periods to start for than anything, so that they'd leave me alone, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. I'm not worried - I really couldn't care less whether or not I have them! I'd far rather have lower bf.
Sorry, just realised that might have sounded rude - I'm really grateful for your concern : )

LoveANurse · 07-11-2009, 04:47 AM

i lost my period years ago and even after returning to a normal healthy weight it just never came back. im on bc because right now even though i have gotten much fatter on it i would rather be able to keep training whereas without estrogen training would be inconceivable when im 30 and already have osteopenia or osteoperosis.

imperfectly_lou · 07-11-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracehbd

Wow, you have NO idea. I've had doctors berating me about it for years! I would LOVE for my periods to start for than anything, so that they'd leave me alone, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. I'm not worried - I really couldn't care less whether or not I have them! I'd far rather have lower bf.

Hmm you might want to rethink that... Personally I'd far rather have sustainable bones and my fertility than unhealthily low bodyfat. And don't think it won't happen to you - I have a few friends in their early 20s with the early stages of osteoporosis. If you need to take birth control to kickstart them, then so be it, listen to your doctors, they are the professionals.

Gracehbd · 07-11-2009, 11:57 AM

I was happy to be on the pill if it made my periods happen, but my doctors told me to stop.

jennyruns · 07-11-2009, 02:29 PM

My 2 cents on this...I gone thru a similar thing...I was doing a lot of mid-distance running, lifting weights, additional cardio on top of all that, and not fueling my body properly for all the activity that I putting myself through. I never took any days off from the gym. Even though my body fat was never too low (sitting above 20%), my hormones were way out of whack. I didn't get my period for a long time, well over a year. When I finally went to see my doctor about this, it turned out that my estrogen levels were super low. I was also diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia in parts of my spine and hip - all at 26 yrs old. Even birth control pills didn't help...I didn't react well to the several kinds that I tried, so eventually I told my doctor that I wanted to get off of them. With the help of Emma-Leigh (yay!!), I am now focused on trying to eat properly (despite all that cardio, I was a total carbophobic!), with a good balance of calories and protein/carb/fats that are appropriate for me. I also cut back on the amount of exercise I was doing, and I have to say that with these big changes (scary, at first!), I am doing so much better (and, I gotta say that I look better too). My health has improved. 1 year later, my hormone levels are now back to normal, and a bone scan that I had in May shows that with my heavy lifting and mroe appropriate nutrition, I have reversed the osteoporosis...I now only have osteopenia, and my doc is confident that I can further improve my bone density. I also just got my period for the first time, completely naturally, this past Wednesday...I never thought I would say this, but I was soo excited!! It's just further proof that my body is on the mend.

My point is, that even though my body is going through some changes now (for the better), I think my body composition is actually way better now than when I was doing all that exercise and activity and eating improperly. As others have said above, it's definitely way more worth it to focus more on being healthy and consider the long-term effects, rather than just focusing on having a low body fat level. Good luck!

Gracehbd · 07-12-2009, 02:17 AM

Thanks for sharing : )

So for you it ws more about calorie balance than bf?

misslizzard · 07-12-2009, 04:50 PM

ok maybe a few years ago i would have chosen bf % over period, but i am older now and i want kids and i'm not willing to risk infertility for low bf.

nea_lin · 07-12-2009, 11:15 PM

o boy...
before i was on the pill, and during the time when i was on the pill, i had my periods like clockwork. But now that i've been off the pill, I havent gotten a period. Its been several months now, and I'm started to get worried. I talked to a doctor about it and she said that it's probably because my body is trying to adjust to the hormone change. Plus, I've been under a lot a stress due to some serious bereavement, which is something else that could be contributing. But i'm kind of worried....I hope I get mine soon!

merse · 07-12-2009, 11:26 PM

i dont take the sugar pill and keep taking the active pill, so i avoid my period most of the yr. altho i do let my body act natuarally every now and then. im hoping i can stop it naturally by cutting, altho the knowing of that time is helpfull.

Gracehbd · 07-13-2009, 04:15 PM

Can anyone tell me - is it a good idea, if not having periods - to be on the pill (to help with low hormone levels)? I can't seem to get a clear answer about it.

Gracehbd · 07-14-2009, 05:13 PM

Anyone?

eriplex · 07-14-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracehbd

Can anyone tell me - is it a good idea, if not having periods - to be on the pill (to help with low hormone levels)? I can't seem to get a clear answer about it.

that is a tough one. I'd be scared to mess with anything that would adjust my hormone levels if I were lacking a period because I would be afraid it would make things worse. Birth control messed me up pretty good at one point in time. But on the other hand, if the pill were to help onset the natural cycle I would be all for it. Very hard to say

LittleCharlie · 07-15-2009, 01:39 AM

I've been on various versions of the pill and injections since I was 13, I've had periods, I've not had periods. At the moment I'm on depo provia and I've not had my period for a year. It's just the way it is.

I asked my doctor about how he felt about the depo combined with aiming for a very low bodyfat, he said as long as I'm sensible he doesn't see a problem. Periods will come back when you put bodyfat back on. He is a GP with a sport science specialism (and his son is a bodybuilder).

If you're really worried you shouldn't be asking here, you should be seeing your GP. They will either be able to advise you or refer you to someone more suitably qualified.

Gracehbd · 07-19-2009, 02:20 AM

Thanks : )

Gracehbd · 07-19-2009, 02:21 AM

Do female pros end up in wheelchairs?

JVo · 07-20-2009, 02:35 PM

I've been on birth control for about 8 years. For the last two, ever since losing the last 5 or so lbs, I haven't had a period. I went to the doctor, but she actually said I didn't have amenhorrhea. She said she was certain I'd have a period if I weren't on birth control (I'm on necon). She said my lack of period was due to a combination of: 1) low body weight; 2) caloric intake relative to exercise; and 3) length of time that I've been on birth control.

merse · 07-22-2009, 10:18 PM

ive had a weird thing happen to me lately.
as i was saying i try to avoid having my period and skip taking the sugar pill. this works for like 4 months then i need to. but since i started my comp diet and have lost bf, im regular even tho im not taking the sugar pill. does this mean that the supps im taking are working against the effectivness of the pill? i dont want to get pregnant. silly question but i thought id ask

Gracehbd · 07-23-2009, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merse

i dont want to get pregnant.

There's a really easy, free, guaranteed way to avoid that.

iKoniConSciencE · 07-23-2009, 09:19 AM

I'm preparing for a contest, celibate, and not on birth control. (Surprise? Yeah, nuts.) The last time I got my period, I had VERY light spotting for two days and CRAZY hormonal fluctuations for six. I skipped it entirely this month and will probably skip it again for a couple more. I have no idea what my body fat percentage is. I've gotten it measured a few times recently with the Omron home body fat thingy and calipers, but I'm not quite so certain how accurate either method is. It's an estimate, not a definite.

This is a two-sided coin for me:
If I am CAPABLE of maintaining insanely low body fat after my contest without extreme amounts of suffering, there is a chance that I might go for it. I highly doubt I can do it, though. There would be an imaginary voice of logic and conscience in the back of my mind telling me that maintaining such a low body fat for so long just isn't healthy for the above mentioned reasons. I don't want to be unhealthy. And... unless I have a super amazingly clean diet with an insane workout regime all year long (Uh, NO! I'm suffering enough as it is, LOL), it's probably not possible for me.

There ARE plenty of people who DO maintain unnaturally low body fat levels all year long and they still appear healthy otherwise. It may not be as unhealthy for SOME PEOPLE as it is portrayed to be, though there are some risk factors and you never know how your own body will react.