How to return monthly periods after losing weight

Lost menstruation due to weight loss – this problem is very often faced by girls who adhere to strict diets and / or significantly lost weight in a short period of time.

Why can menstruation disappear when losing weight?

The fact is that as a result of diets, starvation, a sharp restriction of the caloric content of food or the exclusion of certain types of food, a deficiency of vitamins and/or trace elements inevitably occurs.

Thus, B vitamins have a great influence on the hormonal balance. Vitamins B2 and B6 are essential for the production of sex hormones[1], while B9 (folic acid) regulates the length of the menstrual cycle[2]. By the way, B vitamins act synergistically, that is, they work well together.

Vitamin E ensures the normal functioning of the female reproductive system, as well as slows down the aging process, increases the elasticity of the skin, strengthens hair and nails. Therefore, it is also called a beauty vitamin. In gynecology, vitamin E is widely used to normalize the menstrual cycle and treat infertility against the background of hormonal disorders. It is a fat-soluble vitamin found naturally, mainly in vegetable oils. A sharp decrease in the amount of fat in the diet inevitably leads to a deficiency of vitamin E.

Magnesium helps maintain optimal levels of progesterone and estrogen, eases the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and reduces puffiness before and during menstruation[3]. The level of magnesium decreases during stress, and diet and rapid weight loss-an absolute stress for the body.

Also, the level of female hormones is influenced by vitamin C. The result of its deficiency is a delay in menstruation.

In addition, with a sharp weight loss, there may be a lack of zinc and selenium in the body, which is manifested by mood changes, depression, menstrual pain[4]. The introduction of additional doses of zinc and selenium into the diet helps to improve the emotional state, reduces sweating and premenstrual inflammatory rashes on the skin.

You can get these micronutrients from a variety of foods, however, if you follow a diet, the best way to get what you don’t get is to take vitamin and mineral complexes, such as the drug Pregnoton.

Pregnoton contains magnesium, zinc, selenium, vitamins C and E, B vitamins, as well as the amino acid L-arginine and the plant extract of Vitex sacra, which improve the functioning of the female reproductive system and normalize the cycle. You can start taking Pregnotone on any day of the cycle, which is very convenient.

Subcutaneous fat, weight loss and menstruation: what is the danger of a lack of fat in the diet?

Subcutaneous fat plays an important role in maintaining normal hormonal balance in the body. With a sharp change in the percentage of subcutaneous fat in women, the amount of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone decreases, as a result, the maturation of eggs is disrupted, menstruation becomes irregular until they are completely absent for a long period.

The normal percentage of adipose tissue in a woman’s body is at least 17-20%. To make the cubes visible on the press, you need to reduce it to 10-12%. Just with this ratio of adipose tissue, problems with the reproductive system begin. In women after 45 years, this can lead to premature menopause. So it’s up to you to decide: dice or health.

Cycle disorders can also be observed with prolonged restriction of fat in food. If you have lost your period after the diet, review your diet. For the normal functioning of the reproductive system, your daily diet should be at least 40% fat. To maintain a normal hormonal balance, enter foods rich in healthy fats in the menu: nuts and seeds, avocado, vegetable oils, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel). These foods contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which will improve your reproductive health and normalize your cycle.

For reference: it was found that girls whose diet is marked by a lack of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are more prone to mood swings and depression.

Can there be a delay in menstruation due to sports?

Most often, the question: “can there be a delay in menstruation due to sports” is asked by girls who are just starting to train in the gym. However, in practice, cycle failures are more often caused not by one-time physical activity, but by a long series of heavy regular workouts. Therefore, it is professional athletes who often face menstrual disorders.

The fact is that with increased muscle growth and a simultaneous decrease in the percentage of subcutaneous fat, a change in the hormonal background can occur, which in turn leads to menstrual cycle failures.

In addition, the reason for the delay may be the stress that the body experiences due to high loads, especially if intensive training is combined with insufficient sleep and restriction in nutrition to achieve a speedy result.

As a result of stress, there is an increase in the level of the stress hormones-cortisol and prolactin. It is with the action of the latter that menstrual disorders and menstrual delays can be associated.

Usually, the level of prolactin in the blood increases during pregnancy and during breastfeeding – this hormone is necessary for the production of breast milk. At the same time, prolactin suppresses ovulation, preventing the eggs from maturing in the ovaries.

Increased prolactin levels in women who are not pregnant or breast-feeding can lead to cycle disorders or cause a complete absence of menstruation for a fairly long time.

Please note: prolactin also affects adipose tissue and metabolic rate. Studies have shown that it reduces fat metabolism, so it is difficult for girls with hyperprolactinemia (increased prolactin levels) to lose weight.

To normalize the level of prolactin, non-hormonal drugs, such as the drug Pregnoton, can be effective.

Studies have shown that taking Pregnotone is effective for reducing prolactin levels, normalizing the cycle, and relieving PMS symptoms. According to the results of one of the studies conducted among women with elevated prolactin levels and cycle disorders, after taking Pregnotone for 3 months in 85.2% of patients, a significant improvement was noted in 85.2% of patients, and the restoration of the menstrual cycle – in 81.5%.

How to restore your monthly period after losing weight: checklist

If you have lost your period after losing weight, you need to restore the hormonal balance to adjust the cycle. Of course, first of all, you need to go to a gynecologist and undergo the necessary examinations to exclude serious health problems. We also recommend that you follow these rules:

1. Make sure that your daily diet contains at least 40% fat. In general, to maintain good physical shape, the optimal ratio of macronutrients is 30% protein, 30% fat, 40% carbohydrates.
2. Add foods rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to your diet.
3. Take vitamin and mineral complexes to make up for the micronutrient deficiency that has arisen as a result of the diet.
4. Stick to a healthy sleep regime – take at least 7-8 hours to sleep, and bedtime should be no later than 22:00-23:00.
5. Don’t overwork yourself in training and control your stress levels.