Keto and missed period

(Linda) #1

Hello everyone. Please I just need help and guidance. I started keto 6weeks ago and have since missed 2 periods. The first time I had severe cramps for 2days(which I haven’t had since I was in my early 20s) but the period never came. Next cycle, very bad cramps on the day my period was to start and still no period. It’s bothersome cos I just removed my iud 3 months ago and I’m ready for baby #3. Please anyone experienced this and how did you address it. Thinking of going to the doctors next week but thought I’ll ask first. Thanks all.

(Mike W.) #2

I’m no Dr, but maybe try a pregnancy test?

(Julie Harrington) #3

Hello there,
First question, did you use an IUD that was not only a barrier method but also used hormones? If it used hormones, what you’re experiencing is not uncommon. It take months sometimes for the body to readjust and find it’s own balance after IUD removal.
Second question, do you track your cycles? I would strongly and with great confidence guess that you have yet to ovulate. The cramping could be for various reasons, maybe you had developed a cyst on your ovary (common side effect of BC) and it had burst or one of many other benign explanations could be the cause. Check with your doctor if it continues to cause you great concern, or if the pain increases or worsens.
An easy way to track your cycle would be employing the Natural Family Planning method. It’s simple and cost effect. All you need is a basal body thermometer. You can find all the information you need on this by Googling NFP. It will take the guesswork out of figuring out where you are in your cycle or wether or not you have even ovulated.
Lastly, if what you’re experiencing is not directly related from coming off of birth control, keto can sometimes cause disregulation in the very onset of the lifestyle. From what I have read, excess hormones are stored in your fat. Once you begin losing that fat, the hormones are freed up and can cause deregulation. This is usually temporary and resolves itself within the first several months of being keto. :slight_smile: Oh and if it turns out to be none of what I have suggested, do as the previous poster stated, “take a pregnancy test!” Here’s hoping it’s the latter for you. All the very best!

(Linda) #4

Thanks for responding. I have seen my period twice after removed the iud and it came when expected. Oh it was the copper iud. Not the hormonal one. I do track my circle. Wierd thing is the cramps come exactly ehen it’s time for my period. I just hurt and hurt and no period. I strongly suspect the keto. I’ll research as you’ve suggested .

(Linda) #5

Hahaha. I wish. But i will again. I did a pregnancy test a week after I missed the first period and it was negative.

(Linda) #6

Yaayy people. So the period just started. I’m happy. Hopefully my body is settling into it’s new keto routine. Thanks for the help ladies. Xx

(Amy) #7

Yay! I hope your cycle balances out! I’m 10 weeks into keto and my cycle is still a mess. I also had the cramping, but no period. I was due to start when I started keto, but ended up skipping it, then had brown spotting for 2-3 weeks, now I’m 2 weeks late again.

(Lisa ) #8

I had cycles like clockwork until keto - I missed one then had two in a fortnight. Might be because you’ve given your hormones a shake-up, oestrogen in particular is linked with fat.

(Michelle) #9

Almost all the women of childbearing age (and a few who thought they were menopausal) have been shaken up a bit by keto. I’ve always used NFP (we’re Catholic) and I cant trust anything anymore. I hope in a few months my body will be more predictable.

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #10

Hey don’t stress, I lost mine for 3 months, it came back and it regulated :slight_smile:

(Zenjen) #11

I lost my period too, but it came back and this time without any cramps. I blame my quick weight loss on keto for this 2 missed periods, because everytime i’ve been on a diet and lost more than 4 pounds i lost my period for a while. But i also agree with all of you who say that hormones are to blame.
I don’t know what really causes missed periods, but i’m sure that this isn’t one of the dangerous side effects of keto, as people around me are saying.

(Steaks b4 cakes! 🥩🥂) #12

Hi Katie I just found this post…I’m going through something similar right now…what’s driving me mad is the water retention omg I just want my period already!!

Were you fasting still during this time? I’m wondering if I should stop IF for a while…

(Carolyn aka stokies) #13

Part of what I have noticed is that when there have been godo dips in fat loss, the cycle can shift. Our bodies store estrogen in our fat and when we burn through the fat stores, it releases hormones, which can throw off our cycles.

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #14

Actually that was in the beginning of Keto, my period returned around the time I started fasting lol

(Steaks b4 cakes! 🥩🥂) #15

Oh really?! Well that’s a good sign…I had got it in my head it was because of the fasting!

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #16

It can go either way, when you burn through a bunch of fat, the estrogen stored in your fat is released. When it is released in conjunction with the estrogen normally released from your monthly ovulation, it can cause a surge greater than your uterus is used to, causing abnormal bleeding.

(Steaks b4 cakes! 🥩🥂) #17

I’ll carry on waiting then! :see_no_evil: it’s not so much the lateness that’s bothering me anymore, it’s the water retention that goes along with it!
Thank you for this :blush:

(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #18

Oh yes, I know the feels, hang in there, it’ll happen when you least expect it (probably at the supermarket) hahah.

(Steaks b4 cakes! 🥩🥂) #19

Oh no! I best get myself prepared!!