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!