Weight loss bonus!!!

[Trinity]

This one is ONLY for the ladies, please

As if there weren't enough reasons to get fit, here is one more: shorter and lighter periods! Woooohoooooo! I FINALLY got my period after 52(!) days, and then the period itself lasted only 2.5 days. I didn't have any cramps, pain, headaches, etc, etc like I usually do so I'm in a celebratory mood. Before the pain used to be so bad that I decided to go on the pill, and now -POOF- gone, no more pain. Of course it isn't good to be completely amenorrheic, but I'm happy with the new situation.

Okay, now that I've embarassed myself (I know the guys read these threads anyway, but they all have mothers/sisters/wives/GFs so they should understand these issues)...Good night!

[guava]

My period came about a week late and was about a day shorter than usual.

Strange... I haven't lost much weight

[Trinity]

Originally Posted by guava

My period came about a week late and was about a day shorter than usual.

Strange... I haven't lost much weight

Hey, what happened to your old avatar? I liked the buff woman better than the foot.

[Gamecock]

Is this normal -- being a week or more late b.c of fitness? I said no, but my best friend says it is... even if you are on BC pills. We started working out at the same time, and work out everyday together, her period has been 3 weeks late, but mine hasn't! So is this normal or what?

[featherz]

Mine went bye bye completely after being lighter for a few months. Medically I'm OK and I feel terrific, it's just due to eating too little (1500 calories, not anything insane), not enough fat in my diet (was around 15% daily) and too much exercise. I'm not underweight or underfat, so those are my only options to fix this problem - eat more fat, more calories, cut down the cardio. I must admit I don't miss em but I also don't want osteoporosis or any of the other nasties!

[Bustmybutt]

Mine is all over the place. There are times when it is early, or late... there are times when I have brutal cramps, and times I don't. There are times it lasts for a day and then comes back a couple of days later. This last one was three days lates and lasted about 5 days. Normally they only last for two.

My body always keeps me guessing.

[Justitia]

Reduced or complete absence of mensus is typical in athletes. I have no idea if it is considered unhealthy. But it has often made me wonder if being that thin when working out so hard is healthy--even though everyone looks great. Just wondering--not criticizing.

Can it be a healthy mode if the weight and physical activity causes us to loose our periods? -- periods are part of a normal femal biological activity. It used to be (in my youth) only high level competitive athletes and anerexic girls experienced this. But now more and more women, as they get thinner and workout more report what you guys report. I have never read about any studies discerning what it means. But I wonder.

Below is my own history of mensus cycles corresponding with weight from rather low weight to quite overweight and different degrees of physical activity. From when it started at age 14 until menopause, which started at age 48.

WIth regard to cramps. Mine were excruciatingly painful. They made me burst out into a sweat and go pale and nearly faint. I could not function for the day and could not go to school unless I was doped up on Darvon. (This was the early '60's--ibuprofin did not exist yet.) Most the time I lay in bed moaning for hours until they passed. As I moved into my late teens ,the time frame of cramps started to shorten to 4-6 hours, I stopped using darvon (since it didn't eliminate the cramps, just reduced a little of their severity--and basically made me high) and just high-tailed it home to bed when the cramps started and moaned for however long they took. In my late 20's to early 30's, lying down in the bath tub with a hot shower beating down on my stomach made it tolerable--I would stay there for a couple of hours. By my mid 30's, Ibuprofin (advil) had been invented, but only available by prescription. It was the first drug that actually reduced the cramps. But my cramps had lessened to being tolerable once I passed the age of 30--which is what I read would happen to women who suffered extremely severe cramps when young. Cramps continued to lessen and by my late 30's, were gone.


In my youth until age 30, I was slender and fairly active by the standards of the time. I was always aware that my cycle was 30-32 days instead of the 28 they said was normal for women. Other women my age always talked about their periods coming like clock-work--mine were unpredictable.

I tended to be high energy and physically active with strong muscles (for the times--not like today) but not working out or athletic. Dancing in clubs and being a NYC girl, walking a LOT at a fairly fast pace--normal New Yorker mode--was pretty much it, but my figure was pretty good--kind of like Trinity's. I was at 112-118 lbs at 5' 5 3/4' inches most the time, with good muscular tone (ages 14-20)

My mensus never changed in from being light, short and 30-32 day cycles throughout my life despite the following weight and exercise changes:

I got heavier in grad school (119--123 ages 22-27), but physically active through a lot of physically intense night club dancing several times a week, for 2-3 hours at a time.

I got even heavier quitting smoking, living with my (eventual) husband , no more dancing, (though we ran occaisionally) (124-128 lbs ages 28-30), my mensus still didn't change.

When I went on low fat diets to loose the 5lbs gained form quitting smoking, I only started gaining in the long run (130-142 --once hit 148--and extreme low calorie diets (500-1000 calories for a month to 6 weeks) to get back to 132-134 --ages 30-37).

Then struggling harder on low fat diets (and breaking them all the time), I just generally slid into higher weight levels, in part due to forced inactivity from back problems (139-172 lbs-ages 38-44)

Finally my back disc herniated, then back surgeries, steroids for healing caused more saerious weight gain (172-190 ages 44-45)

Then I just stayed there fluctuating (180-188) for 5 years (ages 45-50) working out with trainers, low fat diet, etc.

The whole time, my mensus remained the same.

Except a year of extreme heavy bleeding at age 46-47 due to an undetected massive fibroid in uterus (non-cancerous)

Surgery removed fibroid and mensus returned to normal

My 48th year, peri-menopause really set in big time and lasted until 55. But my mensus didn't change until the last 3 years even though I was (and still am) on HRT (hormone replacement therapy - natural prescription estrogin (Estrace) and progesterone (prometrium) every day (i.e., no 3 week on 1 week off cycles that induce artificial periods) since 49 and no more periods but lately I started having very faint ones.

I have lost 35 lbs since age 50 and have been working out increasingly steadily both cardio and weight over that time, but especially the last few years.

None of the changes in my weight, diet or work-outs affected my period or cycle. But my period was always light, short (3 1/2 days) and cycles of 30-32 days.

I have wondered-- I repeat my history of diet and weight change and physical activity in the context of different questions every few weeks or so. I do so because I know I am the oldest here and have goen through most of the life changes. Not enough is talked openly about what women go through particularly as one approaches the menopausal stage. I am in part trying to make it "normal conversation" and to give a picture of what is to come and that it is not scary nor an age of decrepitude or loss of secuality or sex appeal (though it changes in form).

But a number of you on this thread have seen variations of this before. Is it boring to see again? Is it "there she goes again" reaction. I spend a lot of time doing this b/c I thought it was important and useful. But I am starting to re-think it.

Feedback would be helpful and I won't be offended if someone expresses that they have seen it enough.

[Gamecock]

Thanks for the replies... I guess it is normal to miss periods and such while exercising. I'm beginning to think she is the lucky one!! How does all this effect birth control pills, or how does birth control pills effect all this? I mean the point of them is to control menstration, so if you went on the pill would you still get regular periods? or does the pill not make any difference with missing and late periods b/c of exercise?

[causticmuse]

Originally Posted by Gamecock

Thanks for the replies... I guess it is normal to miss periods and such while exercising. I'm beginning to think she is the lucky one!! How does all this effect birth control pills, or how does birth control pills effect all this? I mean the point of them is to control menstration, so if you went on the pill would you still get regular periods? or does the pill not make any difference with missing and late periods b/c of exercise?

I've been on Alesse for the past 2 years. It's one of the lower dosage BC pills, and I started using it about a year and a half before I switched to a cutting diet and began working out 6 days a week. Taking the BC made my periods much shorter and lighter--I was very regular before, had only very minor cramps if at all, and didn't PMS much except for an inexplicable urge to kick at least one of my male co-workers once a month, but my cycle would last a full 7 days with 3 of those days being relatively heavy. On Alesse when I weighed 143-150 lbs (25-28% body fat), I was extremely regular, and the week of annoyance turned into something closer to 3-4 days, which was quite nice.

Once I started working out again and dropping body fat, my periods became more unpredictable. They've come a week early, a week late, TWICE a month, etc. As I've become leaner, I think my body has become more sensitive to the Alesse, so even being a few hours late with my daily dose might actually bring on an early start to my cycle.

Around the beginning of November when I was probably at my leanest so far (16-17%?) and doing insane amounts of extra cardio on just 1300 calories a day, I missed it completely. The only other time anything like this has ever happened to me was when I first entered the Army and went through basic training. After a whole lifetime of fudging out of doing anything in PE classes, the sudden increase in physical activity and rapid drop in body fat made my period disappear for 6 months.

I increased my calories to 1600-2000 this month, and I seem to be back on track now as far as my period goes. I admit that it's nice when I don't get it at all, but for my peace of mind, I'd rather have a light, regular menses anyday over freaking out monthly and having to keep a stockpile of home pregnancy tests in my bathroom drawer.

:d_tongue:

Maggie

[Gamecock]

Originally Posted by causticmuse

I've been on Alesse for the past 2 years. It's one of the lower dosage BC pills, and I started using it about a year and a half before I switched to a cutting diet and began working out 6 days a week. Taking the BC made my periods much shorter and lighter--I was very regular before, had only very minor cramps if at all, and didn't PMS much except for an inexplicable urge to kick at least one of my male co-workers once a month, but my cycle would last a full 7 days with 3 of those days being relatively heavy. On Alesse when I weighed 143-150 lbs (25-28% body fat), I was extremely regular, and the week of annoyance turned into something closer to 3-4 days, which was quite nice.

Once I started working out again and dropping body fat, my periods became more unpredictable. They've come a week early, a week late, TWICE a month, etc. As I've become leaner, I think my body has become more sensitive to the Alesse, so even being a few hours late with my daily dose might actually bring on an early start to my cycle.

Around the beginning of November when I was probably at my leanest so far (16-17%?) and doing insane amounts of extra cardio on just 1300 calories a day, I missed it completely. The only other time anything like this has ever happened to me was when I first entered the Army and went through basic training. After a whole lifetime of fudging out of doing anything in PE classes, the sudden increase in physical activity and rapid drop in body fat made my period disappear for 6 months.

I increased my calories to 1600-2000 this month, and I seem to be back on track now as far as my period goes. I admit that it's nice when I don't get it at all, but for my peace of mind, I'd rather have a light, regular menses anyday over freaking out monthly and having to keep a stockpile of home pregnancy tests in my bathroom drawer.

:d_tongue:

Maggie

LOL!! --- thanks Maggie! That totally answers my (our) question. Yeah, the totally freaking out thing would be bad, guess we'll stock up too! lol

[featherz]

Not having your period can be problematic, most especially for osteoporosis. I've read on the BB forums that this is less of a problem for female bodybuilders (as compared to anorexics or female runners for example) but I don't know if this is true or wishful thinking. They seem to think that the weight lifting will protect the bone mass and a few have had bone scans to back it up, but that's a very small sample to take the risk!

If I don't kickstart the old hormones myself, the only option is to gain weight (I'll pass) or go on the pill again, which I also prefer not to do. So I'm hoping that eating more (2K + calories) and not killing myself with cardio will start everything up again.

Other than that I feel great! :P

[jRS]

Mine became more regular (28 days between each) and lighter.

I cant say thats a downside to fitness!!

[PaganPunkstress]

I just started weight training In november,
this month my period is nowhere to be found, lol.
Im 4 days late,
could it be because of this weight training?

[HookemCards]

Originally Posted by Trinity

This one is ONLY for the ladies, please

As if there weren't enough reasons to get fit, here is one more: shorter and lighter periods! Woooohoooooo! I FINALLY got my period after 52(!) days, and then the period itself lasted only 2.5 days. I didn't have any cramps, pain, headaches, etc, etc like I usually do so I'm in a celebratory mood. Before the pain used to be so bad that I decided to go on the pill, and now -POOF- gone, no more pain. Of course it isn't good to be completely amenorrheic, but I'm happy with the new situation.

Okay, now that I've embarassed myself (I know the guys read these threads anyway, but they all have mothers/sisters/wives/GFs so they should understand these issues)...Good night!

What do you mean only for the ladies. Sounds like a fantastic benefit for men too .

[HookemCards]

Originally Posted by featherz

Not having your period can be problematic, most especially for osteoporosis. I've read on the BB forums that this is less of a problem for female bodybuilders (as compared to anorexics or female runners for example) but I don't know if this is true or wishful thinking. They seem to think that the weight lifting will protect the bone mass and a few have had bone scans to back it up, but that's a very small sample to take the risk!

If I don't kickstart the old hormones myself, the only option is to gain weight (I'll pass) or go on the pill again, which I also prefer not to do. So I'm hoping that eating more (2K + calories) and not killing myself with cardio will start everything up again.

Other than that I feel great! :P

Weight lifting actually stresses the bone, much like it does muscle, and then more calcium is deposited onto the bones increasing bone mass. At least that was my understanding from my Anatomy and Physiology class from last semester.

[inprogress]

I'm new to the forum; first site I've ever posted on, but the first on which I feel comfortable doing so!

Anyway, I'm responding to the original thread about the light period after working out. I had this happen right after graduating from high school. I was heavily active my senior year (soccer, personal conditioning classes) and then moved countries to go to college. I was serious about not gaining the "freshman 15." I started having lighter periods as I weight lifted and worked out several times a week, plus walking a lot to every class and not having a car. I remember the last period I had that year, it became lighter and lighter and fizzled out. I wasn't alarmed; I was pleasantly surprised. We did a bodyfat measuring near the end of that semester in our life health class with tape measures, and I came out somewhere around 12%, though I personally think I was lower because they were measuring on the top of my sleeve instead of close to the skin. I looked great to myself.

I didn't get my period again for 2 years (except for a 2 day one here or there, maybe every 3 months). I am almost 5'4 and was around 110 that semester. I think that that threw off my hormones, even though I eventually gained weight to what was considered healthy.

I got my period once in a while, maybe every 3 or 4 months for a day or two. This last summer was the first time I had it for two months in a row. I had been feeling lucky during most of the 2 to 4 year period that I didn't have it until I began to research more and saw that I could seriously be disrupting my cycle and hormones, ability to have children, etc. for years after that.

Now, my experience is that when I do have a period, I feel blessed!

I now put on a natural progesterone cream from Emerita two times a day for two weeks a month to give my body what has been depleted, and that has helped me get a period for three months straight. For me this is a great thing! I didn't hear about taking progesterone when you were young till recently, because it can be depleted through various factors, including amenhorrea (which is what I have had), environmental toxins, too much estrogen in our diet, etc.

As long as you keep getting your period semi-regularly, even it is brief, I would continue feeling pleased, but be careful if you start losing it, like the ladies above have said! As also mentioned, and from previous experience, it takes a long time, lots of trial and error and hard work to get your period back once you've lost it!

Sorry if I've rambled, this has been a serious issue for me for the past 5 or 6 years. Losing your period is a weight loss bonus but I'm afraid it may have done more damage in the long term for me unless I'm very serious about my hormonal health in the long run. I may not want kids now, but I may in the future!

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Trinity

This one is ONLY for the ladies, please

As if there weren't enough reasons to get fit, here is one more: shorter and lighter periods! Woooohoooooo! I FINALLY got my period after 52(!) days, and then the period itself lasted only 2.5 days. I didn't have any cramps, pain, headaches, etc, etc like I usually do so I'm in a celebratory mood. Before the pain used to be so bad that I decided to go on the pill, and now -POOF- gone, no more pain. Of course it isn't good to be completely amenorrheic, but I'm happy with the new situation.

Okay, now that I've embarassed myself (I know the guys read these threads anyway, but they all have mothers/sisters/wives/GFs so they should understand these issues)...Good night!

WHOA, is that what caused it? I was all concerned!! It was very short, I had very light cramping, virtually NO PMS (woooooooooohoooo!!--hubby agrees with that woohoo lol), not much bloating, and no other symptoms associated with my usual monthly visit! YAY, I'm both relieved and happy to hear that this is another benefit to being fit!

[FionaMaeve]

Heh heh. You guys are lucky. Doesn't matter what weight I'm at (even 20 lbs underweight as I was three years ago) or how much I'm working out, you could set a lunar calendar by my cycle. 28 days exactly.

[Inatic]

sheeeshh! I have been hoping my cycle would quit, at least once. Darn it, it hasnt.. It has gotten much lighter than it used to be but you would think at 8.54%bf, it should have quit coming in under 12. I dont use any hormones to regulate my cycle (I am on thyoid replacement though i dont think that is doing anything to control IF i get my cycle or not.

I think what keeps mine going is that my trainer has us (me and training partner) cycing our fats. If I did lose my cycle, I would probably panic first, thinking i was PG, we already have 5 beautiful boys, I am not looking to add any more to this army

[bonnie]

Yes that is good... however, I would talk to a doc just to double check, I also know people who have eating disorders lose their cycle as well- which in this case is bad....I also heard too as some mention earlier that at athletes also lose thiers.