Low Carb and Menstrual Cycles

[neuronaut]

The low-carb diet is the only one that has worked well for me. My wife tried it about 5 years ago and had very heavy, long periods. I hear that this is common on this diet. Is there anyway to prevent this side-effect? For example, would cutting back the protein a little help? Or will it go back to normal after a few months of being on the diet?

[cmcole]

Rather strange, but I guess everyone is different.

My chiropractor suggested this way of eating because of the problems I was having - cramps of an incapacitating nature, etc.

I now have quite regular periods (I can pretty well know when they will occur)

I don't have to take profuse amounts of drugs to just maintain an equilibrium on those days

I don't miss a week of work or life because of it

I only have minor cramps, sometimes (probably if I've chosen the wrong foods in the days prior to that time)

There must be some explanation, but I'm at a loss to give you any guidance in this regard.

[Kathy]

My cramps have gotten MUCH better eating low carb. Evry three months or so, I'd have a day where I had to call in sick to work because of general period malaise. Not anymore.

[LisaS]

I've always had really heavy periods, but it seems to me like the cramping is less on PPLP - but I've only been on for 6 months or so. My cycle-related migraines are also (pretty much) non-existant since going on PPLP.

Maybe something else was going on at the same time for your wife? It might not have been PP-related at all. I must admit I've never heard that heavier periods were "a common side-effect" of eating low-carb.

[Kathy]

Maybe something else was going on at the same time for your wife? It might not have been PP-related at all. I must admit I've never heard that heavier periods were "a common side-effect" of eating low-carb.

Fibroids can cause heavy periods, and they're very common. I had never heard that correlation between high protein/low carb and heavy periods either.

[LisaS]

Believe you me, I know all about the fibroid connection - I've got some doozies :) but had the heavy periods for many years before that/them.

[Snowpuppy]

This may be TMI :D , but I didn't have my period, or just some very scant spotting for years when I was at my heaviest. My first month on PP, my period returned.....with a vengence!!

It took many months to 'normalize' the flow. When I discussed it with my gyn, she said it made sense that I would have had a 'build up' over the years of not having a monthly flow. I am now in peri-menopause and my period was changing. Came back to PP within the last month & it is now 'normalizing' again. Go figure.

[Relief]

While I do agree that the heavy bleeding may be unrelated to the low carbing-- (there is so much bad press out there still about this WOE that there can be fear that it is unhealthy and therefore a tendency to blame every odd symptom on your new "diet".")--

The Fact is that many women DO experience some interesting hormonal side effects when first starting low carb. Heavy bleeding is one of the most common and it usually stabalizes after some time on the diet.
It is thought that this effect is caused by an estrogen dominant situation-- fat on the body does store and make estrogen, so most women who need to low carb i.e.have more fat than they need or want-- have an excess of estrogen stored in their adipose tissue. This in itself can cause a lot of mentrual problems--PMS, heavy bleeding, bloating--etc. When you start to lose fat, then a lot MORE estrogen gets dumped into the system and can cause some real havoc for a while. Eventually it all evens out as the PP diet helps normalize all the homonal systems--mostly by a better balance of eicosonoids.--( take your fish oil ladies!)

bio-identical progesterone cream can help a lot to ease symptoms while you are going through the " storm" of hormonal imbalance -- I would hate for someone who could really benefit from low carb overall to stop because of what is probably a temporary situaltion and is actually indicative of the body going through some changes which will ulitmately heal it.

[joanneb608]

Hi Relief, I think this explains what I experienced when I first went back on PP a while ago. I am menopausal, haven't had a period now for about a year, but the first week or two on PP I experienced real pronounced breast tenderness for a few days. I just attributed it to cycle weirdness but I'll bet I was experiencing effects of more estrogen in my system because of fat-burning. It went away, now yesterday I noticed it again last night a little, it was my first day with a gym routine of exercise, (which I badly need), so I think that explains what's been going on.

Thanks for your input on these boards, it's great to draw from your experience and sharing!;)

[joanneb608]

Now, this is weird.

I've been complaining that I seem to have hit a plateau as far as the scale goes, and I shouldn't be this early in fat loss. And all this month I've been experiencing a lot of breast soreness, worse in the evening. I thought it was coinciding with the stepped-up exercise. Then the last couple of days I've had more of low back pain and a little more emotional. Low and behold, I had a small hint of spotting last night, first time in a year or so. So now I'm thinking that hormonally I may have been in a "holding pattern" for awhile this month, weight-wise, as these symptoms are what I normally experience a few days before I start my period. But I still have an apointment to check out thyroid this week and maybe other hormonal issues as well. Maybe my body will act a little more normal after this spotting episode. Who knows. Anyway I'll wait and see, and of course, stay on plan with eating and exercise.

[BeccainSC]

Joanne, after seeing your note in the results thread I popped in here to reply. Somehow I missed this post when it was "new".

Sounds very much like you've had some hormones at work. I am anxious to see what your results wind up being.

I have noticed the past 2 months that I'll have a week or so where I don't lose much (like .5 - 1 pound) then I have a big "whoosh". Since I had a hysterectomy in '01 I can only assume that the big weight loss week would be around the time I'd be on TOM.

Of course spotting after a year could be a sign of a problem so you should check with your doctor on that too.

(((hugs))) You're doing great! Just keep plugging away, sooner or later something will happen!

'becca

[joanneb608]

Thanks , you're great! It's helpful to know that others struggle with hormone issues that affect weight loss, too. I felt I was always pretty predictable with how my body loses weight and fat, but this past month has been very different. I guess Friday morn will tell the tale for both of us!:D

[CHIMPEEGIRL]

While I do agree that the heavy bleeding may be unrelated to the low carbing-- (there is so much bad press out there still about this WOE that there can be fear that it is unhealthy and therefore a tendency to blame every odd symptom on your new "diet".")--

The Fact is that many women DO experience some interesting hormonal side effects when first starting low carb. Heavy bleeding is one of the most common and it usually stabalizes after some time on the diet.
It is thought that this effect is caused by an estrogen dominant situation-- fat on the body does store and make estrogen, so most women who need to low carb i.e.have more fat than they need or want-- have an excess of estrogen stored in their adipose tissue. This in itself can cause a lot of mentrual problems--PMS, heavy bleeding, bloating--etc. When you start to lose fat, then a lot MORE estrogen gets dumped into the system and can cause some real havoc for a while. Eventually it all evens out as the PP diet helps normalize all the homonal systems--mostly by a better balance of eicosonoids.--( take your fish oil ladies!)

bio-identical progesterone cream can help a lot to ease symptoms while you are going through the " storm" of hormonal imbalance -- I would hate for someone who could really benefit from low carb overall to stop because of what is probably a temporary situaltion and is actually indicative of the body going through some changes which will ulitmately heal it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The first time i did a high protien diet; i seemed to do well and lost about 40lbs and never had a hard time with my menses. I fell off the bandwangon and have tried twice to get back on and the last time I waited through 4 months of bleeding. I have been to the gyn and nothing is wrong. The day I began carb loading the following morning the periods were gone. I need to take off 35 lbs again and it seems daunting to think about another round of waiting for the menses to regulate. Is 4 months normal?
Thanks
chimpeegirl

[virginia]

I hadn't had regular periods in all my life, they always arrived late...:D However, since I'm doing this WOE, they are as regular as ever!! It's quite incredible!!! And the cramps are less!! Fantastic!! So, I think each body is a world...;)

[Gaelen]

[QUOTE=CHIMPEEGIRL;29601The first time i did a high protien diet; i seemed to do well and lost about 40lbs and never had a hard time with my menses. I fell off the bandwangon and have tried twice to get back on and the last time I waited through 4 months of bleeding. I have been to the gyn and nothing is wrong. The day I began carb loading the following morning the periods were gone. I need to take off 35 lbs again and it seems daunting to think about another round of waiting for the menses to regulate. Is 4 months normal?[/QUOTE]

What Virginia said...'every body is a world.' Every body is its own unique system. I would watch things carefully, and make sure you're not eating things that will make you more sensitive for bleeding (tons of veggies that have Vitamin K, such as spinach, for instance) or excessively supplementing with vitamins which contribute to blood thinning (such as Vitamin C.) And keep your gyn involved. You don't say how old you are, but excessive bleeding at any age is something they really need to keep an eye on.