I am eating healthy and I gained 10 lbs. Why did I lose my period?
Asked by anonymous on Jun 04, 2008
in Eating Disorders
I am 5'6" and have always been around 110 lbs. I started going to the gym in February and have maintain a workout routine (average of 5 days a week). I strongly feel that I have become much healthier and fitter than before and had gained a lot of muscle. So far, I have gained 10 lbs and have been eating much more than before (I watch my diet and keep a healthy diet), but for some reason I seem to have lost my menstrual period. My last one was in the first week of March. What might have gone wrong? P.S. There's no way I could be pregnant.
Answer
Women need a critical level of body fat to menstruate because estrogen production is dependant on fat. Women who exercise strenuously may be “all muscle and no fat”, and so they may not meet the minimum requirement of 12% body fat for good health. Furthermore, many individuals need as much as 17% body fat to function normally. You could have your body composition assessed at your gym to check your percentage of fat, or just gain weight to see if your period returns. Either way, you need to see your doctor anytime you miss three periods in a row.
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