Urm... periods stopped!

[tofulover]

I have recently become vegan (although I was pretty close before) and have noticed that it is lighter, and it came a bit later. I am not stressed and did not experience any weight change, and so I think my diet change is the only reason for this. I am wondering if any of the female vegans out there experienced the same thing when they transitioned to veganism? I have read some things about women on raw food diets losing it altogether, but I am certainly not a raw foodist. Just wondering if this is common in vegan females. Thanks!

[RachelJune]

After researching various info on possible explanations for amenorrhea (loss of periods), I got chatting to a holistic therapy lady in a health food store yesterday. I decided to confide in her with my personal health issues and she certainly seemed to know her stuff. She asked if I was veggie and recommended all the usual stuff like B12, iron, etc. Then she sent me away with some herbal pills called agnus castus and a long and detailed fact sheet on it - apparently it helps to balance the hormones and is very effective in regulating a normal menstruation cycle, although it can take up to a couple of months to take full effect.

Anyway, I looked into it further and came across this site which notes some very interesting possibilities as to the causes of amenorrhea and various recommendations and methods of treatment.

http://www.numarkpharmacists.com/hn/...Amenorrhea.htm

i seem to have lost my period as well. but i don't mind it =P haha.

I feel the same way emmydu. It's certainly more convenient not having to worry about periods, cramps, inconvient times, etc But it's also the body telling you that something is wrong. In particular, I read that a prolonged lack of periods can lead to loss of bone density and possibly osteoporosis. Scary...

[herbwormwood]

After researching various info on possible explanations for amenorrhea (loss of periods), I got chatting to a holistic therapy lady in a health food store yesterday. I decided to confide in her with my personal health issues and she certainly seemed to know her stuff. She asked if I was veggie and recommended all the usual stuff like B12, iron, etc. Then she sent me away with some herbal pills called agnus castus and a long and detailed fact sheet on it - apparently it helps to balance the hormones and is very effective in regulating a normal menstruation cycle, although it can take up to a couple of months to take full effect.

Anyway, I looked into it further and came across this site which notes some very interesting possibilities as to the causes of amenorrhea and various recommendations and methods of treatment.

http://www.numarkpharmacists.com/hn/...Amenorrhea.htm



I feel the same way emmydu. It's certainly more convenient not having to worry about periods, cramps, inconvient times, etc But it's also the body telling you that something is wrong. In particular, I read that a prolonged lack of periods can lead to loss of bone density and possibly osteoporosis. Scary...

Agnus Castus is a very effective herb when taken for the appropriate reason and in the appropriate strength.
It's unlikely to do anything for people whose menstrual problems are from being underweight.
Talk to a qualified medical practitioner if you want to take agnus castus and you are taking hormones like contraceptive pill, or if you are taking other medications, because it could react with them.

[RachelJune]

Agnus Castus is a very effective herb when taken for the appropriate reason and in the appropriate strength.

It's unlikely to do anything for people whose menstrual problems are from being underweight.

Talk to a qualified medical practitioner if you want to take agnus castus and you are taking hormones like contraceptive pill, or if you are taking other medications, because it could react with them.

Thanks, herbwormwood,

I’m now at a weight which is considered healthy for my height, although I’m still aiming to put on a few more pounds to get to my “ideal” weight. I’ve been to see my doctor/specialist who told me that basically my hormones are a mess, since stopping the contraceptive pill (a long time ago now) and perhaps also as the lingering result of being underweight previously. I also have an elevated level of the hormone prolactin. I’m not currently taking any other medication or the contraceptive pill, so I’m hoping it’s safe to take the agnus castus? I must admit, I haven’t consulted my doctor yet about taking it.

I must have been to the doctors at least 10 times about the period issue, and endured the same number of horrid blood tests, only to be fobbed off with the usual “just give it time” until recently when the test results actually showed up with some useful information. I have a follow-up appointment with the specialist coming up soon, but if a natural herbal remedy can help me then obviously it would be preferable to any standard medical hormone treatment.

You’ve got me thinking more about it now (which is a good thing!) and I’d be interested to know if anyone else has tried this or any other natural remedies?


Cheers x

[harpy]

I once had the most painful period ever after taking agnus castus (which I took because it was meant to be good for Polycystic Ovaries which I used to have but apparently don't any more ).

It could just have been a coincidence (I haven't heard of any similar experiences after taking it) but it might be good to talk to some sort of expert (herbalist?) before trying it.

[tofutofu]

hey everyone.. new update.. my periods are now back!!! they came back last week I am 5'5 and weigh 8 and a half stone now. So i have put on a whole stone :-/ Although I feel happier when i weigh less, i think this is a healthy weight for my height?

[flying plum]

that's intertesting about agnus castus... my periods are (and always have been - nothing to do with becoming vegan, despite my boyfriend's best efforts at cod-diagnosis) very irregular, and all my GP could suggest was going on the pill, which i really don't want to do. i might mention it to her - she's often open to new suggestions, even if she doesn't know about them to begin with.

amanda

[RachelJune]

hey everyone.. new update.. my periods are now back!!! they came back last week I am 5'5 and weigh 8 and a half stone now. So i have put on a whole stone :-/ Although I feel happier when i weigh less, i think this is a healthy weight for my height?

Great news, tofutofu! 8 1/2 stone is only just on the lower end of the healthy weight range for your height, and a BMI of almost 20, which is also healthy. Your body is obviously reacting well in relation to the periods, so that can only be a good thing

Just out of interest, how long were they absent for? Have you made any other significant changes other than weight?

[tofutofu]

They were absent for 10 months.. and yep.. weight is the only change....... ^.^ Though i did have them go before when i went seriously underweight about 2 years ago.. and that was for a whole year! A bit messed up really.. hopefully my body will recover...

[sandra]

I think periods are definitely influenced by weight! I lost half a stone in weight when I first became vegan and my period stopped for about 2 months. I have since put the weight back on and they have been regular for the past 8 months!

[absentmindedfan]

This might be hearsay based on the uselessness of my memory, but I'm sure healthy fat levels in the body help regulate hormones.
I dread to think how moody those size zero models must be!

[Poppet]

I don't think models could actually be a size 0,
That's the same a size 4 right? There are only a couple shops here that even sell size 4 (aimed at 13 yr olds) the rest of the stores smallest size is a 6 ( which is a size 2).
Although those ultra skinny models ARE ultra skinny, aren't they like 6 feet tall?? How could they possibly be size 0? Isn't Nicole Richie a size 0? She looks the same skinny-ness as those models but she's 5'1" though.

Back on topic, you periods stopping is usually more to do with body fat percentage going below a certain threshold rather than your actual weight. I think your periods will usually stop around 10% body fat, this is why female athletes sometimes get ammenorrhea even if they have weights in the healthy range (because they have alot of muscle).

Because you have sufferred from Anorexia in the past I know it may be a challenge for you to purposefully gain weight, let alone specifically gain body fat. But the loss of your menstrual cycles is a very important marker in the deteroration of your health, and this level of malnutrition can cause irrevesible damage to your body, most notably your skeletal system, digestion system, and the brain. It's very important that if you simply cant bear to get your weight up to "healthy range" that you at least get it up to the point where your periods return. You should be very proud of yourself for managing to do that, and you shoulod be careful not to fall below this threshold again.

[RachelJune]

Ok, so I've gone up from 7st 8 to 8 st 4, and still no periods My BMI is now over 20, so well within the healthy range.

[harpy]

Well done for getting your weight up, RachelJune.

I think being underweight can disturb your hormones so they might not get back to normal immediately. Also someone has already made the point about %age of your weight that is fat being important, so I suppose if you're quite muscly you might not yet be up to the critical level.

If you're worried you could talk to the dr. Do you feel OK otherwise?

[lauren_friday]

hi tofutofu. im a recovering anorexic too. i lost my periods for 2years and ended up with osteoporosis! its very important you keep a track of it cos osteoporosis isnt fun, im dreading getting old and getting a hunch back. my periods are still very irregular and infrequent. it can take a while for them to get evened out, just think how much strain you've put your body under, its no wonder the moment you lose a bit of weight it panics and saves all the energy it can.

[RachelJune]

If you're worried you could talk to the dr. Do you feel OK otherwise?

Yes, I think so.

If it wasn't for reading health stuff, e.g. osteoporosis, I wouldn't really be too worried.

Lauren_friday - if you don't mind me asking, how much weight did you have to put back on before your periods resumed? Did it take a long time to get them back?

[lauren_friday]

^^i had to gain 2stone (but i was 6st 7lbs) and my periods started when my bmi was 18.7 but if i lose even 3lbs i lose them again. they are really irregular still cos i keep losing those 3lbs (and a bit more)

[JC]

wow, i'm so glad i came across this thread! i haven't had a period for 2 months now and i'm getting kinda worried. i'm guessing it's related to my eating disorder, but i've had it under control for a few weeks now and they still haven't come back. i've got to have blood tests next week to find out what's going on. i hate needles

[sponge]

JC what is your weight and/or body fat percentage? Perhaps it's still a little low.

[JC]

that's the thing - my weight is completely normal (bmi about 20) it was fasting and purging that was my problem, but all of that's caused this stomach problem (which has actually helped me to stop). i thought your periods only stopped if you were underweight
thanks for replying btw

[herbwormwood]

Its not the maintenance of the weight that is required but the normalisation of the hormones, which may take a while to recover.
It is also necessary to be eating normally, not fasting or purging. Fasting or purging will deprive your body of the nutrients it needs to keep your hormones healthy.
This url explains it

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/4165.html

Hope things improve for you soon!

[sponge]

Come to think of it, at one point in my adult life, I weighed 91 pounds (depression, tough point in life) and I still had periods. It must go deeper than weight and body fat.

[Haniska]

The US military has 22% body fat as optimal fertility.
I can't find the site but it had to do with different measurements of your body rather than the usual BMI.
I think it takes a while to get over stressful situations too and I'm sure what you went through qualified.

[buttons]

Get yourself to a doctor. NOW. As in ASAP. No dithering about body fat. Lasting damage could potentially occur, if things remain the same. At least that's what my doctor told me once (he was an Oncologist, but hey!).

Sorry if I sound harsh, but that ain't good!

[tofutofu]

Hey everyone
thanks for all the replies
I have managed to get my periods back.. i've had about 3 successive ones now.. fairy regular
I weigh just over 8 stone and am 5'5
Obviously i always feel tempted to loose weight again but i don't want to.. thanks for all the help.. and reading about all these risks. especially osteoporosis. it scares me so much.
I think body fat must play a part.. a girl i know my age is skinny as a rake (she never used to be) and fits in uk size 6.. she barely eats a thing but what she does eat e.g. is chocolate and cheese, buttery foods. would thing have anything to do with it?