no period..

[Running Mommy]

Sounds to me like BF % may be a bit low, BUT.... I haven't had a cycle since Novemeber of 2000. I have had cervical cancer, and god knows I have "issues" but there is no real reason that anyone can give me as to why I don't get a period?? According to my blood tests I haven't gone into menopause, and I despite the bout with cancer I still have all my vital parts- so go figure??!
I would say - go to the doc! If it is BF %, you want to be sure and address that.

[Dianyla]

Sounds to me like BF % may be a bit low, BUT.... I haven't had a cycle since Novemeber of 2000. I have had cervical cancer, and god knows I have "issues" but there is no real reason that anyone can give me as to why I don't get a period?? According to my blood tests I haven't gone into menopause, and I despite the bout with cancer I still have all my vital parts- so go figure??!
I would say - go to the doc! If it is BF %, you want to be sure and address that.

You're not anemic, by chance? That can cause amenorrhea, but it's not common. Also, thyroid issues. Though I'd imagine you've had both of those very basic things ruled out long ago...

[ehirsch83]

I it is probably body fat, I am going to have mine checked. I have some around my middle!(the abs aren't fully there yet) but I am 5'6 and a size 2 in clothes(or a 26inch waist). This could be contributing to it. I Just discovered I don't have insurance at the moment, so once I get new insurance I am going to the doctor to get checked out.

I just ate almost a full pack of newmans ginger-o cookies though(so ummm about 12 servings...) The BFs younger brother died last night, and I just got back from dropping the BF off at the airport and I think I did some depression eating because I am to tired to get on the bike. So this week I will now only be on for 4 days instead of the normal 6, so hopefully things will start to work themselves out,

[HappyAnika]

Your body apparently can't absorb calcium without the hormones (estrogen I believe) present in a regular menstrual cycle.

So this is a bit of a drift from topic, and I'm sorry if it's a stupid question (I know very little about biology/physiology) . . . What about the new birth control pills where you only have 1 period a year? Does this pose problems with calcium absorption? Or do the hormones in the pills keep everything reasonably balanced?

[AuntieK]

Just a thought, but is stress an issue in your life right now?

The way I understand it, ovulation can be put off by stress. If ovulation is delayed, your period will be, too.

But, I'm not a Dr. either. I would also suggest seeing a Dr. if you're concerned.

Sorry, HappyA, I have no answer for you. I tried that route once, but it didn't work for me. Just set my cycle into continuous bleed -- opposite of what I was looking for!

[Wahine]

So this is a bit of a drift from topic, and I'm sorry if it's a stupid question (I know very little about biology/physiology) . . . What about the new birth control pills where you only have 1 period a year? Does this pose problems with calcium absorption? Or do the hormones in the pills keep everything reasonably balanced?

The body requires naturally occuring steriods (progesterone and estrogen in women and testosterone in men, although women produce testosterone as well but at a much lower level), to maintain bone mass. This is related to the bodies ability to assimilate minerals and calcium into bone. BC pills work by providing a continuous levels of pro. and est. that mimics pregnancy and subsequently ovulation. So I would assume that these new generation BC pills would still allow for normal absorption of nutrients into bone. I don't know that for sure but it's good in theory. In fact, I believe that some anorexic women are placed on BC pills to try to prevent bone loss as their bodies are no longer producing the required hormones.

Men also get bone density problems if they do not have enough testosterone in their system. The first treatment in these cases is testosterone replacement therapy.

[michelem]

In fact, I believe that some anorexic women are placed on BC pills to try to prevent bone loss as their bodies are no longer producing the required hormones.

"Estrogen Supplements Do Not Appear To Prevent Bone Loss In Anorexics"

BOSTON, MA -- November 21, 2000 -- More than 90 percent of young women with anorexia nervosa were found to have significant bone loss in a study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). The report, appearing in the November 21 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, also found that taking estrogen did not seem to reduce the risk of bone loss. "While it is well known that bone loss is a significant problem for women with anorexia, this study shows how extensive the problem is and characterizes factors that predict bone loss," says Steven Grinspoon, MD, the paper's lead author, who is on the staff of the MGH Neuroendocrine Unit. "It also shows that regaining and maintaining a healthy weight is key to preventing or reducing bone loss." David Herzog, MD, director of the MGH Eating Disorders Clinic and a study co-author, adds, "Anorexia and its associated bone loss are very serious medical problems that present difficult challenges to both patients and the clinicians who care for them. We hope one result of this study will be to help motivate women with anorexia to get the treatment they need." Patients with anorexia nervosa - an extreme loss of weight associated with seriously restricting food intake, an unrealistic fear of weight gain and a distorted body image - are at risk for a number of serious, even life-threatening health problems. A loss of menstrual periods, associated with disruption of normal levels of estrogen and other hormones, is a hallmark of anorexia in women. Loss of bone mass, sometimes leading to fractures, is a significant complication in most women with anorexia, but it was not previously known whether that bone loss resulted primarily from the estrogen deficiency or from overall malnutrition. The study enrolled 130 women in their mid-20s with anorexia nervosa, most of whom did not have normal menstrual periods. Some participants had resumed periods while taking supplemental estrogen, primarily in the form of birth control pills. Participants all were living in their communities, not hospitalized for treatment of their illness. The research team gathered detailed histories and measurements on the participants - including menstrual history, estrogen use history, fracture history and frame size - before conducting bone density measurements of the spine and hip. The results showed that 92 percent of study participants had significant bone loss (osteopenia) in at least one of the sites measured, and 38 percent of participants had bone loss serious enough to meet World Health Organization criteria for osteoporosis. Broken down by site of measurement, more than 50 percent of the women had osteopenia at the spine and almost 25 percent had osteoporosis; and 47 percent had osteopenia measured at the hip with 16 percent having osteoporosis. Of numerous other variables recorded, weight was the most powerful predictor of bone loss at all sites, with those women who weighed the least showing the most serious bone loss. Menstrual history also correlated with spinal bone density, suggesting that estrogen deficiency plays a greater relative role in spinal bone loss than in loss at other sites. Current estrogen use was reported in 23 percent of participants and previous estrogen use reported in 58 percent of participants. However, estrogen use had no effect on bone density at any of the sites measured. Use of calcium or Vitamin D supplements similarly had no effect. Anne Klibanski, MD, director of the MGH Neuroendocrine Unit and the study's principal investigator, says, "Some of these young women are experiencing bone loss comparable to that of women many decades older, despite estrogen therapy. Given this severity and the prevalence of bone loss, the importance of screening all women with anorexia for osteoporosis cannot be over-emphasized. Other studies have shown that some degree of bone loss in anorexia may be permanent, so it will be critical to develop new therapies to prevent and treat bone loss in these women."

____________________________________________

Adolesc Med. 2003 Feb;14(1):97-108.
Osteopenia and osteoporosis in anorexia nervosa.
Golden NH.
Eating Disorders Center, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Schneider Children's Hospital, New Hyde Park, New York, USA.

Osteopenia is a frequent and severe complication of anorexia nervosa. Once established, it is difficult to treat and is only partially reversible. Osteoporosis is a preventable disease, and intervention should begin during childhood and adolescence. Optimizing peak bone mass accrual during adolescence is essential, and an episode of anorexia nervosa during adolescence interferes with that process. In anorexia nervosa, results with hormone replacement therapy have been disappointing. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation should be prescribed where necessary. Excessive exercise should be avoided and moderate weight-bearing exercise encouraged. Until more effective treatment regimens become available, the mainstay of treatment remains weight gain, nutritional rehabilitation, and spontaneous resumption of menses.

________________________________________

[Jolt]

According to the info in "The Complete Book of Running for Women", current theory is that amenorrhea occurs when you're not eating enough to meet your body's caloric needs. So it could be a simple fix, but it's still a good idea to get checked out.

[Wahine]

Thanks Michelem for the research info. I hadn't seen anything to support or dispute the use of BC for preventing bone loss. I only knew that it is being used by MDs in some places. Interesting information.

[paytash]

ehirsch83- Are you presently taking thyroid replacement pills? Have you had your levels checked recently ( you mentioned no insurance...)? There are so many reasons for missing periods that may or may not be related to training. With your health history you really need to see a dr . I don't know what a physicians' visit costs , but you are investing so much time and effort into your health via exercise that I think the financial cost of a drs visit is worth it.
Keep us posted.........

[ehirsch83]

Paytash-yes I am on Synthroid, .125 mcg a day. It has been stable for the past year and a half, but before that I was on a higher dosage. I am filling out paperwork today actually,for new health insurance. So once that all comes through I will be going to the dr. for complete bloodwork:-)