I lost weight and my period stopped. How is weight and menstruation related?

Perhaps you noticed that the change of mass are sometimes accompanied by changes in the period.

But what does it really have to do with the other?

Maintaining a fit weight is the key to ordinary menstruation. Here’s why – and when to talk to a doctor.

The role of hormones

Menstrual cycle – including bleeding and ovulation – is regulated by hormone balance, especially estrogen.

The ovaries are connected to the brain by Hormonal signaling system. This acts as a kind of “command chain” of hormones controlling the menstrual cycle.

The brain produces a key hormone, called Gonadotropin releasing hormonein the hypothalamus. Stimulates the release of other hormones that they tell the ovaries to produce estrogen and releasing a mature egg (ovulation).

But the release of gonadotropin releasing a hormone depends on Estrogen levels and how much energy is available to the body. Both are closely related to body weight.

Estrogen is produced primarily in the ovaries, but fat cells also produce estrogen. That is why the weight – more precisely fat tissue – can affect menstruation.

Can being underweight affect my period?

The body prioritizes energy. When the reserves are low He stops something irrelevant, such as reproduction.

This can happen when you have underweight or suddenly lose weight. It can also happen to people who Take intensive exercises or have inappropriate nutrition.

Stress sends the hypothalamus to the survival mode. As a result, the body reduces the production of hormones critical for ovulation, including estrogen, and stops menstruation.

Being chronic underweight means a lack of enough energy to support reproduction, which can lead to menstrual abnormalities including Amenorrhea (no periods at all).

This causes a very low level of estrogen and can cause potentially stern health threats, including infertility and bone loss.

Missing periods are not always a cause for concern. But a chronic lack of energy availability can be if it is not solved. Both are related, which means understanding your period and awareness of all extended changes is critical.

How about overweight?

Higher adipose tissues can augment estrogen levels.

When you are overweight, your body stores additional energy in fat cells that produce estrogen and other hormones And it can cause inflammation in the body. So, if you have a lot of fat cells, your body produces excess of these hormones. This can affect the normal functioning of the uterine lining (endometrium).

Excess estrogen and inflammation may interfere with the brain feedback system and Stop ovulation. As a result, you can have irregular or omitted periods.

Maybe also lead to Pain (dysmenorrhea) and heavier bleeding (menorrhagia).

Overweight can sometimes worsen the suburbs. One found one examination For each height augment (m²) in the body mass index (BMI), the risk of premenstrual syndrome increased by 3%. Women with BMI over 27.5 kg/m² had a much higher risk than women with BMI below 20 kg/m².

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Read more: What is premenstrual dysphoritic disorder? How is it different from PMS?

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What else is happening?

Sometimes mass changes are associated with hormonal balances that indicate the basic state.

For example, people from Polycystic ovary syndrome It can gain weight or it is complex to lose weight because they have a hormonal imbalance, including a higher testosterone level.

The team is also associated with irregular periods and severe bleeding. So, if you notice these symptoms, it’s good to talk to your doctor.

Similarly, mass changes and irregular periods in middle age can signal the beginning periomenopauseperiod before menopause (when your periods stop completely).

When should I worry?

Slight changes, when the period comes or as long as it lasts, they are usually harmless.

Similarly, slight weight fluctuations usually do not have a significant impact on your period – or changes can be so subtle that it does not notice them.

But regular menstruation is an critical marker of women’s health. Sometimes changes in flow, regularity or pain you experience may indicate that something else is happening.

If you notice changes and they don’t feel good, talk to your doctor.