Amenorrhea

[michelem]

Not sure if this should go here or in the Health Issues forum, so feel free to move it if necessary.

Since starting training for our summer bike tour I've upped my exercise considerably. Probably not a whole lot for those of you who train for races and the like, but it's up quite a bit for me. I cycle once to twice a week outdoors for 20-40 hilly miles each ride. I also get on the fluid trainer once or twice a week and use the 1 hour CTS mountain biking intervals dvd that came with the trainer. So, altogether I'm cycling about 6 hours per week (on a "good" week).

Also, I take a ballet class once a week, and practice yoga one to two times per week (1 hour power yoga or vinyasa flow yoga). On weeks when I don't get on the bike as often due to whatever (sometimes I don't get home 'til after dark and my hubby doesn't want to listen to the trainer or whatever), I'll do a Tae Bo dvd with resistance bands or a step aerobics dvd. Just something to keep moving.

I feel as though my intake is pretty good, although it's tough because I don't eat processed foods and I have some food allergies/sensitivities making power bars and meal replacement drinks out of the question. But, I use lots of "good oils/fats."

I've lost some weight, which I didn't need to do . . . not sure exactly what I weigh because I don't own a scale, but I know I've gained some back. My body fat is very low (again, I don't know numbers, but suffice it to say that I can not "pinch an inch" and I think I look a bit scrawny).

Since training started it's been period . . . 6 weeks . . . period . . . 6 weeks . . . period. But, now I haven't had a period at all in 10 weeks. Before training it was always 28 days, like clockwork.

My husband is really upset with me. He sees I've gained weight and knows I am working on gaining more, but believes that because I am gaining muscle and not fat that it doesn't matter. The only thing that will make him happy is for my period to start up again. To him, that will prove that I am healthy. And, until then he believes I shouldn't exercise at all.

Anyone else deal with amenorrhea induced by increased exercise? If so, what did you do to correct it, without cutting out all of your exercise? I am worried that if I cut out the exercise I will not have the endurance to successfully and enjoyably participate in our summer bike tour, which is an extremely expensive trip (Italy) and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (I can't imagine we'll ever spend this much on a vacation ever again!).

Thanks for any input/insight. I am REALLY frustrated that although I am gaining weight back (slowly, but surely), my period is not wanting to reappear!

[VeloVT]

I think the BEST thing you could do right now is to make an appt to see your doctor. There are many things other than too much exercise that can cause lack of menstruation... And while everyone's different, and it's impossible to tell from your post how much weight you've lost, I guess the amount of exercise you cite doesn't sound excessive.

Seriously, even if you gave us more details (height, weight, age etc), none of us are in a position to offer you meaningful advice (there are a few doctors on this board I think, but without seeing you, taking a detailed history, tests, etc...) -- and since this is causing you and your husband anguish, and may or may not indicate larger health concerns, you really owe it to yourself to see at least one dr. -- maybe more if this first isn't helpful, or if he/she determines you need to see a specialist.

I really don't want to sound preachy and hope I haven't come across that way...

Good luck!

Edit: Again, I don't want to sound judgemental when I really don't know the situation -- but I find it troubling that your husband is "really upset" with you about this... it seems like, if anything, he should offer you support, understanding, sympathy, not anger -- that seems kind of controlling. Perhaps I'm misreading your post, though.

Have you had eating disorder issues in the past?

Sorry, I'm rambling, I felt badly because my post sounded a little harsh, and it sounds like you're going through a rough time.

[maillotpois]

Definitely see a doctor.

I did not get a period for a year in between college and law school. I lost 60 pounds and was running regularly. I actually enjoyed not having a period, but learned later that it sets you up for bone density problems. Your body needs that hormonal cycle to allow your bones to absorb calcium. I wish I had known that then.

When I stopped losing weight (my weight just stabilized at 60 pounds less than I had been - I was never "thin", but healthier than I had been overweight), my period eventually came back.

I don't think it's that uncommon, and I don't think it means you are not "healthy" but only your doctor can really answer that.

[Kitsune06]

When I'm training hard, or just playing hard, I tend to skip. I had much more of a tendency toward it when I was lighter/thinner (I'm little now, but I used to be very, very lean)

I'd suggest, if you aren't already, taking multivitamin supplements along with your usual diet, if you can, to supplement the unprocessed diet. If you can't handle energy drinks/supplements, it might be a good idea to use honey, peanut butter (the kind made from just ground peanuts) almond butter or something similar to boost the healthy fats and oils, proteins and carbs. Avocados have always helped me, too...

[mimitabby]

I agree with the others, go see your doctor. I read somewhere that this is
a sign of not getting enough nutrients, which, i don't know.
so you are either exercising too much or not eating enough. This is a serious problem, it is a precursor to osteoporosis.

see your doctor

[makbike]

I've suffered from it my whole adult life. The only doctors who have been concerned were the male OBGYN and interal med guys I saw. My female gynos have not worried about it saying it is natural for my system. I've been on birth control pills for years and that has not produced a monthly cycle. I've been told by several doctors, past and present, it is because of exercising. I'm not skinny nor am I overweight, BMI runs in the mid-20's. I've had numerous tests run, vials of blood drawn, etc and the final conclusion seems to be this is how my body operates and I'm not complaining. My most recent bone density test was great.

However, if you have not discussed it with your doctor you would be wise to rule out other problems. I would not let it go unchecked.

[LBTC]

I agree that you should see a doctor, if, for nothing else, to ensure that you have no other health issue and to put your and your DH's minds at ease.

On the flip side to a lack of menstruation having a connection with osteoporosis (which is news to me!), there is also a connection that more menstruation over our lifetimes is linked to an increased risk for breast cancer. I guess there is always more than one side to every issue.

Hugs and healthy happy butterflies,
~T~

[RoadRaven]

Liza and Mallio, Kit and Mimi, Mac and LBTC have all given good advice, and good anecdotes.


Do get it checked by a doctor Michele... just to be absolutely positive you know what you are dealing with. :)

[VeloVT]

like makbike, I've always had an irregular cycle (skipping periods every second or third month, and schedule totally unpredictable when it did come), and though I was always worried about it, my doctors never were, chalking it up basically to individual variation. So irregularity or missing a period here or there isn't necessarily indicative of serious health problem... though as others have noted it does put one at higher risk of bone loss (I've used Depo Provera for the last few years so I don't get periods at all -- which I think is **wonderful**, I have to say; I have had a bone scan b/c of this and it was normal).

However, for me, unpredictability was a "normal pattern", if you will, and it sounds like for Michele, it is a deviation from what is normal for her... always a good reason to see a doctor.

[hellosunshine]

you have a very healthy attitude in that you are addressing the problem,ny periods stopped aged 16,24 yrs ago and have never come back,im osteoporotic now,BUT i was prescribed the pill in order to get those hormones wizzing around again-in theory it would kick start my periods but it hasnt,my body fat % too low.really be carful coz i cant have kids now either due to low body weight in the past.and if your dr doesnt take the seriousness of the problem on board SEE ANOTHER!


i agree,aint too sure if a healthy interest in his wifes health is evident or a controlling husband,i would hate to be damning though if he really is mr wonderful

good luck!

[mimitabby]

If DH wants kids, his concerns are more than warranted imho

[michelem]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. I am going to set up an appointment with my dr. Yes, avocados and nut butters are great!

Regarding my hubby, he says he is just scared. His mother, my aunt, and my grandmother all passed away within a short time last year so I think the health of his loved ones is more on his mind than before. Doesn't make it less annoying for me though! He really is Mr. Wonderful, other than that he doesn't enjoy cycling like I do - he'd rather play team sports like basketball and flag football - yuck. :p

I do have osteopenia (was diagnosed about 10 years ago) and osteoperosis runs in my family, so I do know that is a concern for me. I supplement with calcium and vitamin d. Since taking up cycling, I've dropped jogging from my exercise plan so I'll need to be more diligent about using the resistance bands since cycling isn't weight-bearing . . .

Thanks again. I really appreciate all of your support.

P.S. What does DH stand for? Is it Dear Husband?

[Dianyla]

P.S. What does DH stand for? Is it Dear Husband?
Dear Husband. Or, alternately, Damn. :rolleyes:

[mimitabby]

also if you are really upset with him, D I C K H E A D

[silver]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. I am going to set up an appointment with my dr. Yes, avocados and nut butters are great!

Regarding my hubby, he says he is just scared. His mother, my aunt, and my grandmother all passed away within a short time last year so I think the health of his loved ones is more on his mind than before. Doesn't make it less annoying for me though! He really is Mr. Wonderful, other than that he doesn't enjoy cycling like I do - he'd rather play team sports like basketball and flag football - yuck. :p

I do have osteopenia (was diagnosed about 10 years ago) and osteoperosis runs in my family, so I do know that is a concern for me. I supplement with calcium and vitamin d. Since taking up cycling, I've dropped jogging from my exercise plan so I'll need to be more diligent about using the resistance bands since cycling isn't weight-bearing . . .

Thanks again. I really appreciate all of your support.

P.S. What does DH stand for? Is it Dear Husband?

the best answer is see your doctor! Please do.

However, I've found that even with doing that, you may not get conclusive answers.

From what you have said, my biggest concern for you is that you are ALREADY osteopenic. If you are suffering from the athletic triad
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=320&topcategory=Women

I am on the thin end of the scale within 5 pounds of meeting one of the critieria for anorexia.
http://www.remudaranch.com/eating_disorders/anorexia.asp

I have been "accused" of being anorexic. I have fought that label, saying this is my healthy body weight. I have never missed my period. I am healthy and fit. Just lean and muscular and thin boned. But since I've been active (the last 6 years) I've broken 9 bones. (7 in a bad wreck) And I'm osteopenic and my numbers have gone down (become worse) over the last two years.

My family doctor has never made any issue about my weight. However, I was in the hospital two years ago for a somewhat unrelated problem and several symptoms that I had triggered an anorexic diagnosis and they swooped down on me BIG TIME. I still feel that it was situational but, still....

It's made me question my ademant denial of having anorexic tendencies. I still don't think that I am, but I now have to be proactive about my body. I have started taking Actonel. Being diligent about my calcium and Vit D intake. Making sure that my weight doens't drop below the 107 pound mark. Making VERY sure that I get plenty of PROTEIN! (very important) and fat too.

I am supposed to supplement with a protein shake every day.

Please be honest with yourself, see medical professionals and eat more.

[michelem]

Thanks again. I like the different definitions of DH. :p

Silver, I appreciate the links. I'll keep an open mind, but I don't think I fall into either of these categories. I am not afraid of weight gain, and want to gain the weight back that I've lost since beginning training. I don't have any fear foods or anything like that - just some allergies/sensitivities that result in miserable itchy skin rashes. Also, I do not feel a compulsion to exersize. I can go days without it and not feel anxious - sure, I miss it 'cause I enjoy it, but I don't freak out if I can't do it. Oh, and since being diagnosed with osteopenia I get a bone density scan every year and it has remained stable for the past 10 years, so the drs. say I'm doing something right!

But, it's definitely something to think about and keep an eye on.

I called many gyno offices today and all said they are either not taking new patients at all or I must have a referral from my primary care physician (who so far hasn't seemed all that concerned about this - I let her know about the changes in my period when it all started - she gave me a pregnancy test and when it came back negative that was good enough for her). So, I've placed a call to her and await a call back as to whether I can get a referral. Her assistant said she is "very busy" today, so it may be a couple days before I hear back. Sigh . . .

In the meantime, I'm going road bike test riding this weekend! I can't wait! :)

[Offthegrid]

Lots of good advice and support here. You are in a very caring environment.

I just wanted to add that if you look around, you should be able to find a recovery drink with extra calories that you can have even with food allergies. Also check out Larabars.

I can't have anything with gluten (anything made with regular flour or from wheat, rye, barley or oats) AND I'm lactose intolerant, so that makes it tough for me. But even with all those limitations, there ARE nutritional drinks I could have -- such as Boost -- or other recovery drinks. It's very tough to find things to fit our food allergies, but not impossible.

[michelem]

Tah Dah! Got my period this morning! Woo hoo! Hubby was not so excited . . . he said something to the effect of "Well, let's see if it's normal." Grrr . . . I'm starting to like mimitabby's definition of DH.

Offthegrid: I've tried Larabars and they are okay, but don't pack much protein. However, I found some other ones at TraderJoe's last night. The website says they are gluten-free. However, they are pricey at $3/bar:

Ingredients: Almond butter*, date paste*, honey*, brown rice protein*, flax sprouts*, quinoa sprouts*, raisins*, sesame seeds*.
*From organic farming

Nutrition Facts per bar:

energy 300 cal.
130 fat cal.
total fat 12g
sat. fat 2g
trans fatty acids 0g

cholesterol 0 mg

sodium 25 mg

total carb. 34g
total dietary fiber 6g
sugars 20g

protein 14 g

http://www.organicfoodbar.com/usa/prod.html