Menstrual Cycle

[Lonniecee]

I've not had a period since the end of March and this is apparently common for those of us still menstruating and getting close to or having reached goal weight, especially those of us that have had a large amount to lose. My consultant explained it as another adjustment that the body has had to go through and that it may just be the one or two cycles that we miss.
My cycle seems to have kicked back in to gear and after a cranky (pmt?) Sunday morning, today marks the recommencement of my period.

What I'm curious to know is how would my weight have been affected by not having a period for over two months. I'm aware that the weight that I have put on and taken off as I've written in my diary is a result of what carbs I've overindulged in, but does excess fluid, etc from not menstruating come into play at all? What do you think? I'm not looking for an excuse or any easy way out here, I've had some very enjoyable weekends and acknowledge the fact that I am responsible for my food choices, but to counter these I have been very careful and aware of my carb intake during the week and this shows when the weightloss can be 1.2kg in 2 days, still with the HGH, seratonin, and insulin the focus of Cohen's, I can't help but think that maybe the other hormones or lack thereof in the last few months may have had other effects on my weight.

I welcome any other opinions, thoughts or ramblings.

Lauren

[Pudge]

Lonniecee
I have not had a period since Dec. 11 o6. Although the Dr.s claim I am just pre-menopausal Didn't matter that I wanted to rip faces off or anything like that. They wouldn't put me on hormones just something for depression I was like well I am not depressed there are just certain times of the month I am a real witch and EVERY little thing set me off so I was crabbing at everything hubby and daughter did or didn't do or anyone else that was close.
Anyway I was not on Cohen's during that time have only been on it for nearly 4 weeks. I have not noticed any weight gain during the months prier to Cohens and it hasn't stopped my loss in the 4 weeks on.
I haven't even noticed a bloat up so pants are tighter to button during this 4 weeks. Maybe I haven't been on Cohen's long enough but I haven't had a period in 6 months. I still get a back ach and am more irritable when my normal time comes up so I know about when I am due.
Which would have been this last weekend and I actually lost weight. Could have been all the walking since I have lost nothing in 2 days now.
Pudge

[asy]

Well, I'm the other way around.

When I was obese I would only get about 2 periods a year. Gotta admit, that's the ONLY thing I miss about being overweight...

Someone should invent a pill you can take so when you're finished having kids you can just turn all this stupid girly stuff off...

Still, back on topic, now, my period is monthly, like clockwork. It started becoming regular when I hit about 120kg.

I can really understand how Dr Cohen was a Gynaecologist and regulating periods and working with obesity-related infertility led him to develop this programme in the first place.

I know when I got pregnant with my daughter my Gynae was NOT happy because I weighed 120kg. I was so sick through the whole pregnancy (still throwing up the DAY I had her!) that I weighed 120kg the day they wheeled me in to have her (C-section). The Gynae wasn't happy because we knew from day one she'd be a Caesarian (She was my second baby, first labour was a disaster that ended in C-Section). Luckilly (for me) she was an "accident" otherwise the doc would have throttled me (getting pregnant at that weight).. hehe. Best darned accident I've EVER had!!!

Isn't it amazing just how many facets of our lives our weight affects?

asy

[heavenlylamb]

Originally Posted by asy

Well, I'm the other way around.

When I was obese I would only get about 2 periods a year. Gotta admit, that's the ONLY thing I miss about being overweight...

Someone should invent a pill you can take so when you're finished having kids you can just turn all this stupid girly stuff off...

Still, back on topic, now, my period is monthly, like clockwork. It started becoming regular when I hit about 120kg.

asy

Hi Asy,
The "pill" is called a Mirena IUD..... I'd highly recommend it!! I had a regular IUD before, and it was hell. But with the Mirena one, I get spotting for a day or so a month and thats it. I LOVE it!! I still have a cycle, and I get bloated, and a little PMT. Once its in, you can forget about it for around 5 years or so... and no more contraception, no more tampons etc etc etc. Best money I've ever spent! (it was only $30 plus gyno fees.)
So, I'm not much help with the question, cause I haven't had a proper period for several years. Although I notice my spotting is heavier in months when I haven't been following the program as closely.
Pen

[Jo]

Hi Lonniecee,

I have policystic ovaries. It was explained to me when diagnosed that insulin is the main cause of weight gain, and the insulin resistance that is developed is the main reason for polycystic women finding it very very difficult to lose weight so you end up in a terrible cycle.

Before I started the program I would have a period every now and then, maybe 4 or 5 a year, with no advance warning at all of the impending arrival. When i was pregnant with my son I was roughly 65kg and had to take fertility drugs to enable ovulation and pregnancy, thankfully it was successful after 2 cycles.

After I had him, and over the last 2 and half years, Ive gained more and more weight, my periods were more and more sporadic. I went on fertility drugs again and after 7 months no success.

after the first full month of being on the program I noticed a difference. Magically, i got a period, then my second period was only 15 days late, the 3rd was 10 days late and the 4th should be around any day now..

It's incredible the way your weight affects your hormones, which in turn affects your natural female functions, and the cycle continues.

[Pudge]

Well I better not start havin a period again or I am gonna be ticked like majorly. I have been enjoyin the no period's.
Pudge

[Chezza]

Hi

I havn't had a period for around a year i guess the reason why is because of my weight gain.
But i have since lost 14.8kg in 4 weeks and they have returned, and i have now had them for 2 weeks.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Annoyed

Cherie

[kagiesen]

Dear Cheeza

whilst I haven't had that 'problem', I think you should be happy, not annoyed. I do agree, having your period is not the best, but not having it because you're so unhealthy is even worse. You should be seeing this as the right thing happening to you, your body is starting to recover from obesity.

So I say: Congratulations!

Katrin

[Pudge]

Dr. Cohen started this diet for people with furtility problems. So you getting your monthy is a sign things are working right again. So that said LOOK OUT you could get pregnant. Better you than me.

But after not having the monthy thing since last Dec. (due to menopause) I did spot this last month yuk. That is not what I wanted to see. I have been on this program for 4 months.
Pudge

[Rowan]

Hi there,

I hadnt had a natural period for over 4 years - it was always drug-induced. When I started the programme, I hadnt had a period (natural or otherwise) for about 6 months - within 4 days on the plan, I had my period - a la naturel!!! I found it lasted a bit longer than "normal" and now I've just fallen into a 28 day cycle (which I've NEVER had before - I've always had a 36-40 day cycle when my body bothered to have one at all) - its just amazing! I never thought I would be so grateful to have a period!!
Re: lasting for two weeks - you need to consider that you're shedding 12months of build-up. If it lasts much longer, you should consider seeing your GP because there are drugs which will stop it (if you and your GP is concerned enough) plus having a 2 week plus period is just awful - it makes you feel so blah. Good luck!

[Chezza]

Hi Eveyone

Thanks for your answers to my question, i was starting to think somthing was seriously wrong with me.
I will just put up with it for a while and see what happends.
I guess its all in the process of weight loss.

Thanks again
Cherie

[Melissa]

Although I'm a true blue Aussie I do believe that there are cultures that protect and nurture women when they are are going through their monthly cycle. I also think that as much as we females think that there is nothing worse it is part of our makeup and we should embrace it.

Melissa

[kgb]

You have to remember this is also a hormonal diet, which means things are sorting them selves out internally. Its almost like turning the clock a few years. The HGH are just wonderful!! Enjoy it and think of it as blessing!

[Pudge]

I don't want to turn the clock back a few years just to have periods again. Thank-you very much. I was enjoying the no monthly thing and the Dr.'s finally had to admit I was full blown menopausal, hot flashes, night sweats, and ready to rip lips off at the drop of the hat. Yep that was me.
Since I have been taking over the counter Estraven and this diet the hot flashes and night sweats have been far and few between I can handle that. The ripping of lips off well that comes and goes sometimes my moods are better than others. No one has to walk around on tip toes anymore well maybe not so much I guess. I can diffently live without the periods.
When I got fixed 16 years ago i told the doc to cut the tubes,burn the ends so there was no chance of a pregnancy. When he said he didn't burn the ends I told him then just take the tubes right out and i wanted to see them. I was 34 when I delivered the last one and had no intention of changing my own children's diapers at 40. I am now 51 and don't have a problem changing my grand kids diapers. That started nearly 4 years ago even then I said I was too young to be a grandma. I do love my grandkids and the best part is I can give them back.
Pudge

[missusb]

I hadn't had my period for 7 months (since my daughter was born) and within 4 days of starting Cohens it came back! Not sure if it was coincidence, but maybe a hormonal change??? I'm glad it came back to be honest, means everything is working again hehe.