losing weight affecting menstral cycle?

I have lost about 26 lbs since May.  Also, since May - my period has been lasting for 12 days, which is very unusual for me.  I usually get my period and it lasts anywhere between 5-7 days at the very most!!

Just wondering if anyone has lost weight and noticed a change in their menstral cycle like this?

Im not on bc pills and I know im not pregnant.

Thanks for any advice!

Changing your diet and metablism can affect your menstral cycle.  You should worry if you start missing your period all together, as this can be a sign on malnutrition. 

Since this has been going on since May, Id see a doctor. Its probably nothing - lifestyle changes and/or stress can interfere with your hormone levels, but maybe go get checked out just in case.

Losing weight hasnt ever altered my cycle, but jumping into an excercise regimen for the first time ever (basic training) made my period disappear for a few months.

YES! And I consulted with my doctor and he said that as your body changes your menstration can get thrown off, my period used to be a lot longer and heaver and now it lasts only two days which was weird for me, but he said it happens! Just make sure it doesn't go away all together because that means you are getting FAR from ANY nutrients

but mines not going away or getting shorter, its the complete opposite! Its getting longer and longer :(

When I lost 20 pounds last summer, my period didn't come for 4/5 months (and I DEFINITELY wasn't pregnant because I'm only 14!!!!!). I thought there was something wrong, but I asked my mom (she's a doctor) and she said that it's completely normal for your period to get messed up. Plus, mine probably was gone for longer because I'm still young.

You didn't say how old you are - but my period started getting longer and much heavier in my late 40's which is a common problem in the 5-10 years before menopause. I went to the doctor and it turned out that I needed a D&C.  He took out polyps which can prevent cancer.  It was also worth it because now my periods went back to normal and I stopped spotting.  I doubt your problem has to do with weight loss - I was maintaining my weight at the time.  You should definitely talk to an ob-gyn

I am only 27, so I hope its not menopause lol

Here's a funny story...

I got my first period in seven years in June.  I have been pregnant or breastfeeding babies for seven solid years, with no periods in between babies (I had four since 2000).

I was shocked, and discovered that technology has changed in the last seven years (LOL), but no big deal... cramps, about 6 days...

Then, I was expecting another cycle to end about 30 days later.  It didn't come.  It was six weeks between my periods.  

Here's what I noticed:
the week I ovulated: best weightloss, 7.5 pounds.
week before period: only 2 pounds.
week of period: about a pound.
This week... I'm hoping for a better number!!!!!!

Definitely not menopause  at 27, but it coudn't hurt to call your doctor and find out if there's a cause unrelated to weight loss.  I never heard of a period getting longer as you lose weight.

About two years ago (I was 21, working out, eating healthy, and at a healthy weight)  I had a period that was irregular for a few months...the next cycle I had, it never stopped!  I had bleeding (TMI- light to moderate flow, nothing heavy. Otherwise I would have really freaked out!) for over 35 days.  I eventually went to my OB/GYN. She did everything...physical, PAP, blood tests... turned out I had a low level of Progesterone (sp?).  So she put me on a low dose, progesterone based, birth control,  and it fixed the problem right away.  I took it for a few months to regulate things, discontinued taking it, and afterwards I was fine!  Just thought I would let you know!!!  Good luck!

Thanks everyone! I have an appt with my GYN on the 8th...so I pray everything goes well!

good luck! 12 days is a loong time.

the only difference i've seen is that excercising really helps with cramps and bloating.  this is the 'best' totm i've had in a long time...way less painful and uncomfrtable.

i wish you wellness.  let us know what the gyn says.

No, that doesn't happen with weight loss.  Call your doctor and get in before you become anemic.

I had teh same issue... My doctor told me I was ok... Please read this post, and the comment I left there.... there is also a paste from a link stating that weightloss does indeed affect your cycle.

Good Luck

OK SO WE'VE ALL LOST WEIGHT and now..

It can make your cycle take longer as in, your pre-luteal phase is longer.  It doesn't really make you bleed for 12 days straight.  Yes, the generic question does losing weight affect your menstral cycle is answered yes.  Does losing weight make you bleed for 12 days?  No.  At least, not normally enough that you should ignore it.  Talk to your doctor.

I am currently on week 9 of a non stop period.

This happened to me last year as well. It lasted a little over 3 months Mid April - Mid July. This year its Mid May - Now.

Last year i went to the doctors and had various check ups, tests, including a very very painful biopsy that felt like someone took a fork to my uterus and spun it like they were gathering speghetti on it.

All results were cleared.

Next we tried birth control... NOTHING. It didnt stop it, didnt, change it or make it lighter... didnt do anything...

So this year i decided to not get it checked.

I have had more strangers in my vagina than i could ever want. Its a very embarressing problem. I hate the questions and the feeling when i have to be like... "yeah my body hates me please look at my vagina and tell me why!"

haha

Sorry for the graphicness

~Blayne

Hello!

Just wanted to post an update for anyone who has been following this blow, as it may help others.

I went to my gyne today, told him that since I been dieting my period has been heavier and longer than normal.  He told me it was nothing to worry about. 

He said I lost a significant amount of weight and to keep up the good work!

What happens is that when you lose weight, the fat cells turn into estrogen, so your body does go through changes! Also, since you have the added estrogen=you become more fertile!

He said once I level out on where I want to be with my weight my periods will return back to the norm.  He offerred me birth control to help control it, but I declined as last time I took them, they affected my blood pressure too much! So, Im just going to ride it out!

The only time I didn't get a period I was either malnourished from annorexia or I was pregnant.

My doctor always has told me that if I do not get a period she needs to know about it.  Contact your doctor. 

There are some things with women that can cause this and yes not having enough fat around the ovaries is one.  Like I said, I was very ill and at only 96 lbs when I didn't get a period. 

when I ran cross-country I sometimes trained so hard that my periods demished down to one little drop a month, but my doctor said one drop is okay, not a drop at all is not a good sign.  I have not idea what it could indicate, but that's what she told me.

I have heard of gymnast not having periods (but a lot of them are annorexic).  Periods are a sign of good reproductive health, so see your doctor.

Ok, I haven't gotten my period for about a month and a half and I came off a 1200 calorie diet about two weeks ago and now I'm at about 1500.

So, what's wrong with me?!

I'm DEFINITELY not pregnant... I'm only 14!

Thanks so much for posting your update! I've been dealing with the same thing, and I have been worried about it. The last two months (which is how long I have been dieting), my periods have gone from 7 days long to 8 -9 days long.

I don't welcome the change, since I only have about a 23-25 day cycle since having my kids. It doesn't give me much of a break between periods! Anyway, I'm glad you are okay, and thanks for making me feel better too!