my girlfriend - lost periods

davidoakley · Post by **davidoakley** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 10:26 am

Hi, I'm worried. My girlfriend who is 36, stopped having periods almost a year ago - but this week she had one. Recently she has been on a diet (Atkins) and has taken up tennis for exercise. Not sure if this has anything to do with it. Does this lack of periods mean that we won't be able to have children ? Or, even without periods, can IVF work ? I'm obviously know nothing about this subject so anything would be helpful. Dave

Tracey S · Post by **Tracey S** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 10:40 am

David I can't help you on the periods front as mine always turn up on the allotted day - except this time - now 9 weeks! after 4 goes. ATkins diets are not good for this - no diets are but this one does dreadful things to menstrual cycles or can do. You can still get pg without a period - they drug induce them just harder - a friend of mine has only ever had 3 periods in her life and is PG - happened by accident and didn;t know she was pg until 15 weeks! Others will be able to help you more but without a few more facts like any infertility problems it is hard to help you much. good luck Tracey

Helen GB · Post by **Helen GB** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 1:28 pm

Hi David, You say your girlfriend's periods stopped about a year ago. Was she concerned about this and has she had any tests to find out why? I have read that sudden extreme weight loss can stop your periods but so can early menopause so it is important to find out what is going on. If she still has functioning ovaries then IVF could work as long as she responds to the stimulating drugs. I am afraid that if she is one of the few women who have suffered early menopause or has low ovarian reserve she may find it hard to conceive even with IVF. As Tracey says above, if you are trying to conceive it is probably not a good idea to diet (unless you are extremely over weight and this is causing the infertility). If she has had a period again suddenly then maybe the diet and new exercise has got her ovaries working again and she may still be able to conceive. However, even in menopause women do still sometimes suddenly get a period after not having had one for months so it is really important she gets some tests done. A simple day 3 blood test will tell her/you what is happening with her hormones and ovaries. Her GP should be able to do this for her. Good luck Helen

jo mortimer · Post by **jo mortimer** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 1:52 pm

Hi Dave, It could be she is not getting enough oestrogen through fat. I have only had a few periods in the past three years and I've been told that my body mass index is low, basically I am under weight for my height. I did suffer with eating problems and exercised excessively. The best way to put on weight (if she needs to) is to eat nuts, as these provide a good source of fat, also avocados and full fat yoghurts. She doesn't have to eat loads of junk food. As for 'can IVF work?! I sure do hope so because I have just started my first IVF cycle. She is better getting herself checked out at the hospital, they will be able to say exactly what is wrong, if anything. Good luck! Jo

davidoakley · Post by **davidoakley** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 12:59 pm

I forgot to mention - she's overweight, not underweight, hence the diet. We have since read that Atkins (low Carb) diet releases oestrogen in the body. This seems to make sense.

Lorraine · Post by **Lorraine** » Sun Jun 29, 2003 4:24 pm

Hi David I wanted to write to you before but hesitated as I didn't want to assume anything about your girlfriends weight. Your girlfriends periods may have just dissapeared BECAUSE she is over weight - but it may also mean there is an underlying issue which needs investigating - particularly if her weight gain is not neccessarily explained by what she eats. There are some medical problems which may explain (even if only in some part) the weight gain and the absence of her periods and so she should go to her GP. I am not trying to scare you into thinking something is wrong - but it would be wise to find out NOTHING is wrong!! I have polycystic ovary syndrome - and the first signs I had were absence of periods and sudden weight gain - which has been the bain of my life ever since! I am not for one minute saying your girlfriend has the same but I want to illustrate that sometimes you need to probe further. (For more info visit www.verity-pcos.org.uk) It's really good that she is trying to lose weight, although it would be better to use a more conventional sensible eating plan (hark at me!!) - or at least get the approval of your GP regarding the Atkin's. (for instance women with PCOS generally have an over production of insulin and I know the Atkins diet is also related to insulin production - I can't remember how - but it therfore may be contraindicated) I just know (from bitter experience!) that the GP will initially want her to try to address her weight first as it may result in her periods returning (perhaps this last period is a good sign). Certainly the ability to conceive is related to weight. As for investigating for any underlying issues - it is likely that this will only mean initial blood tests and and perhaps a pelvic ultrasound scan - all very painless! Hopefully the lack of periods is a temporary thing - but even if it isn't it does not mean she is not ovulating or that you cannot get pregnant - and it certainly does not rule out assisted reproduction such as IVF. So keep positive. My advise to you both is get some real medical advice - get armed with the facts and don't keep on leaving it hoping that everything will come right - I really hope that it does - but sometimes the road to having a baby is very long as this board will tell you - so waste no time - even if you do not plan on a family for a long time - you need to know what you may face. I hope this has been of some help - I certainly do not wish to terrify you both. I wish you both good luck now and in the future Lorraine xxxx [Edited by Lorraine on 29-Jun-03 17:37]