Monthlys....????

[gymmum]

Does anyone know much about loss of monthlys??
I have been loosing mine on and off over a 10mth period. firstly I went 5mths without then 2 mths with now 3mths without. I have been checked over by my doctor and all is OK physically....(and no, not pregnant) does anyone else have this problem. It has only happened since I started training.

 

[skittles]

Is your body fat low?

 

[Gymgurl]

Depends on your bf% and it differes from person to person

 

[gymmum]

Is your body fat low?

They say it's around 22%.

 

[musclemom]

Does anyone know much about loss of monthlys?? It has only happened since I started training.

At 22% that's not unreasonably low BF% ... and you said it STARTED when you started working out. You've had yourself checked out, I have to assume you're too young to be menopausal (?) but stress will do it, too. I wonder if you're overtraining? If not maybe just the stress of working out could be doing it?

No matter what, not having a period means your hormones are out of whack and there are attendant problems that go along with that. If you're under 35 I'd get referred to an endocrinologist, if you're over 35 I'd pick up the book by Dr. John Lee "what your doctor may not tell you about pre-menopause," because you should be supplementing with natural progesterone, at the very least (just my opinion).

 

[gymmum]

At 22% that's not unreasonably low BF% ... and you said it STARTED when you started working out. You've had yourself checked out, I have to assume you're too young to be menopausal (?) but stress will do it, too. I wonder if you're overtraining? If not maybe just the stress of working out could be doing it?

No matter what, not having a period means your hormones are out of whack and there are attendant problems that go along with that. If you're under 35 I'd get referred to an endocrinologist, if you're over 35 I'd pick up the book by Dr. John Lee "what your doctor may not tell you about pre-menopause," because you should be supplementing with natural progesterone, at the very least (just my opinion).

Thanks I will consider that book. Yes I'm 36 and confronted my doctor about menapause and he just laughed it off, because I'm under 45.

 

[jenscats5]

I'll be 36 on Wednesday and it IS possible to be in peri-menopause at our age. Basically, the starting of it.

As we've told you before -- based on your pics it doesn't look like your 22% bf. Are you sure that number is accurate?? You could be lower than that, which could be why you've lost your period.

 

[*Bunny*]

My $.02

...other factors in your life can account for this as well... i.e. STRESS, anxiety, emotional distress..

A few weeks ago, my last 'data point' BF 7 pinch was 9.8 % - Although I am LEANER now, the consensus is I'm about 10-11 % ...whatever... still... I've been 'regular' last 4-5 cycles as my emotional state & sanity has greatly improved ...

 

[Sassy69]

Stress & changes in life / training / diet can cause all sorts of crazy things to happen. I'm 40 now and thought about the menopause thing, but then I would also expect to see some of the other effects besides just lost of cycle.

Do you have a history of this or is it all new?

 

[gymmum]

I'll be 36 on Wednesday and it IS possible to be in peri-menopause at our age. Basically, the starting of it.

As we've told you before -- based on your pics it doesn't look like your 22% bf. Are you sure that number is accurate?? You could be lower than that, which could be why you've lost your period.

My bf% measurements have been the same now for around 4mths. But I'm having someone new start doing them on Friday so I will let you know what they say.

 

[gymmum]

Stress & changes in life / training / diet can cause all sorts of crazy things to happen. I'm 40 now and thought about the menopause thing, but then I would also expect to see some of the other effects besides just lost of cycle.

Do you have a history of this or is it all new?

My mother went though menapause around 40, which I'm only 4yrs off.
There have been no other effects that I'm aware of. I have been very moody, snappy and sarcastically bitchy for no reason, and have been very tired, lathargic and have a loss of energy as well. But reading these posts I had put that down to the dieting as others here seem to be feeling the same pre-comp.

 

[gymmum]

My $.02

...other factors in your life can account for this as well... i.e. STRESS, anxiety, emotional distress..

A few weeks ago, my last 'data point' BF 7 pinch was 9.8 % - Although I am LEANER now, the consensus is I'm about 10-11 % ...whatever... still... I've been 'regular' last 4-5 cycles as my emotional state & sanity has greatly improved ...

Thx Bunny for your $0.02 worth. I'm not sure if it is the stresses or not my doc doesn't seem to think so. He claims that only very elite athletes may loose them. HA!

 

[Gymgurl]

I know at 39 my monthlys are a mess...I am about 20%bf and I still have mine lol...but everyone is different...remebr they say our bodies follow our Mothers most of the time and you could be changing all ready

 

[gymmum]

I know at 39 my monthlys are a mess...I am about 20%bf and I still have mine lol...but everyone is different...remebr they say our bodies follow our Mothers most of the time and you could be changing all ready

That's the only thing I can put it down to.

 

[Evil_Frisky]

My $.02

...other factors in your life can account for this as well... i.e. STRESS, anxiety, emotional distress..

A few weeks ago, my last 'data point' BF 7 pinch was 9.8 % - Although I am LEANER now, the consensus is I'm about 10-11 % ...whatever... still... I've been 'regular' last 4-5 cycles as my emotional state & sanity has greatly improved ...

Bunny, are you gonna try to maintain that % of body fat?

I'd like to stay in the 13ish but wasn't sure about how healthy it was .

 

[*Bunny*]

Bunny, are you gonna try to maintain that % of body fat?

I'd like to stay in the 13ish but wasn't sure about how healthy it was .

Hey Frisky …

In hopes of answering your question, If I had to put a 'number' on the way I want to look physically, Yes, that would fall around the 10% BF range for me, consequently, yes, I do plan to maintain this level ~ 10% Body Fat.

FOR ME, this is the healthiest I have ever been. My 'health' is checked monthly as well. I have been dabbling in some fitness modeling and future fitness related ventures, so it is imperative, esp. to me, that I look my best, feel my best and am ready to do a shoot in 3-7 days notice etc.

My body fat is low, but not at an unhealthy low level. A little birdie told recently told me "You don't have 'body builder' type low body fat," "that's what most female Olympic athletes are" and " under 7% is break point for most women…."

So, I've covered my bases and am on top of it from every angle...

LOVE the AVI!

 

[sdupdike]

Hey Frisky …

In hopes of answering your question, If I had to put a 'number' on the way I want to look physically, Yes, that would fall around the 10% BF range for me, consequently, yes, I do plan to maintain this level ~ 10% Body Fat.

FOR ME, this is the healthiest I have ever been. My 'health' is checked monthly as well. I have been dabbling in some fitness modeling and future fitness related ventures, so it is imperative, esp. to me, that I look my best, feel my best and am ready to do a shoot in 3-7 days notice etc.

My body fat is low, but not at an unhealthy low level. A little birdie told recently told me "You don't have 'body builder' type low body fat," "that's what most female Olympic athletes are" and " under 7% is break point for most women…."

So, I've covered my bases and am on top of it from every angle...

LOVE the AVI!

Wow, I always heard more along the lines of what Frisky was saying. That's interesting to know. After my comp is over, I'd like to maintain a pretty low bf% also, I just didn't know how healthy it was. People were telling me during my last comp when I was around 11% that my face did not look healthy. I'd like to stay under 14% for sure, but at the same time add some muscle for next year. We'll see how that goes!

 

[*Bunny*]

Wow, I always heard more along the lines of what Frisky was saying. That's interesting to know. After my comp is over, I'd like to maintain a pretty low bf% also, I just didn't know how healthy it was. People were telling me during my last comp when I was around 11% that my face did not look healthy. I'd like to stay under 14% for sure, but at the same time add some muscle for next year. We'll see how that goes!

Hey girl...

At 11%, for YOU, maybe your face does not 'look healthy' but I honestly have no clue about your health situation, whether or not your 'natural', any medical conditions you have/had, your comp status, what is your 'limit', etc... keep in mind everyone is different and I am simply speaking from my own personal experience and what works for me... what works for you is most likely WAY different ... You can always do some research on the subject, and remember, YOU know your body the best...

 

[Miss24k]

Ladies, 10-11% bf for a woman to maintain year around is unrealistic for many.

We are all different, and can maintain at different bf% levels, if you loose your period at 15% bf, then it's not healthy to maintain at 15 or lower year round.

 

[Sassy69]

Where Frisky is coming from is the idea that you put yourself thru extreme diet & metabolism manipulation to get to competition shape (e.g. low bodyfat levels) and generally no, it is not healthy to maintain this or expect to maintain this because the diet/training you go thru to get there is extreme and INTENDED to be short term. You can't expect to live in a water depleted state in order to maintain your vascularity or whatever.

There are plenty of people on the planet who generally operate at lower bodyfat which is a result of their body, their metabolism, their lifestyle, their activities. This is not necessarily "bodybuilder low bodyfat level" but just where their body is comfortable.

That said, I will also note that if you have achieved a lower bodyfat from work & diet, it is probably very doable that if you are able to ease your body into a diet & lifestyle that maintains that level of bodyfat BARRING ANY REBOUND OR NEGATIVE EFFECT on your body (e.g. you've lost your menstrual cycle for extended periods of time), it would seem that you can adjust yoru body's "needs" level down.

But that is not to say that over time the body might determine that it can no longer continue to operate at that level and it just becomes totally important to track your health regularly and just 'listen' to your body.

 

[Evil_Frisky]

Where Frisky is coming from is the idea that you put yourself thru extreme diet & metabolism manipulation to get to competition shape (e.g. low bodyfat levels) and generally no, it is not healthy to maintain this or expect to maintain this because the diet/training you go thru to get there is extreme and INTENDED to be short term. You can't expect to live in a water depleted state in order to maintain your vascularity or whatever.

There are plenty of people on the planet who generally operate at lower bodyfat which is a result of their body, their metabolism, their lifestyle, their activities. This is not necessarily "bodybuilder low bodyfat level" but just where their body is comfortable.

That said, I will also note that if you have achieved a lower bodyfat from work & diet, it is probably very doable that if you are able to ease your body into a diet & lifestyle that maintains that level of bodyfat BARRING ANY REBOUND OR NEGATIVE EFFECT on your body (e.g. you've lost your menstrual cycle for extended periods of time), it would seem that you can adjust yoru body's "needs" level down.

But that is not to say that over time the body might determine that it can no longer continue to operate at that level and it just becomes totally important to track your health regularly and just 'listen' to your body.

Exactly what I was wondering Sassy. I know I hit sub 9% by my July 9th comp. That body fat is just not doable for me to maintain... I'm working on getting back up slowly to see where my body feels comfortable.

 

[Ulter]

At age 30* AVERAGE essential body fat for a female is 12%
The average body fat of a female body builder is 7-12%
The average body fat of a top female triathlete is 10%

Thousands of female athletes live at 10% throughout their 20's. It's not unhealthy.

Your body finds a set point that it likes but you can move it up or down over long periods of time. When you move it quickly is when your body rebels and you start bouncing up and down.

*Since I don't see this talked about. Your age plays the largest role in what your healthy level of body fat should be.

 

[Evil_Frisky]

At age 30* AVERAGE essential body fat for a female is 12%
The average body fat of a female body builder is 7-12%
The average body fat of a top female triathlete is 10%

Thousands of female athletes live at 10% throughout their 20's. It's not unhealthy.

Your body finds a set point that it likes but you can move it up or down over long periods of time. When you move it quickly is when your body rebels and you start bouncing up and down.

*Since I don't see this talked about. Your age plays the largest role in what your healthy level of body fat should be.

so very true... Im 31 .. ouch

 

[Sassy69]

Frisky you old fart you.

 

[Evil_Frisky]

Frisky you old fart you.

well... hmmm

does 31 w/2 kids help my case?

 

[gymmum]

Hi ladies, sorry I haven't been on for a while as I had to get over the shock of not being ablr to compete due to my bloating problem.
Well on the not of the original topic of monthly's, I had been to my doctor many times to find nothing abnormal with my not having a period for 11mths and the fact that I was bloating and manipulated diet and everthing to get ready for Sept 25th comp when at 5 weeks out I had more blood tests this time for testoterone and they came back rather high so I was sent for an ultra sound to check that I didn't have cysts on the ovaries when all of a sudden I was found to be 20 weeks pregnant. Fancy that!! Apparently my testosterone was masking all attempts of uncovering my pregnancy.