Stunted Ovulation

[bugout429]

Hi guys,

I'm reluctant to formulate a cause/effect relationship here, but ever since I began the Atkins Diet in June, I've stopped having periods. I've been to my gyno, who confirmed I'm not pregnant, and that I've stopped having periods because I'm apparently not ovulating. I'm only 30, she did a panel of tests for other conditions and apparently there's no visible reason why my cycle's been interrupted. I suspect it's because I've kept myself on extended induction for too long.

The same thing happened last year under Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet, only I didn't know it then, and thought I was pregnant. I wasn't, and didn't make the correlation between my going back to a normal diet and my cycle resuming. I merely thought I'd miscarried.

I know you're all advocates of this WOE and so am I, but I would appreciate your most honest feedback here, so I can understand what's going on. Has anybody ever heard of low-carb diets stalling ovulation?

By the way, it's totally my own fault that I never progressed to OWL. The truth is, I never progressed because I never succeeded in reaching a sustainable ketosis. My body seems very resistant to ketosis, and I keep trying and trying, and this is where I am now. 3 months, no ketosis, no periods, and only 3 net pounds lost. I really have tried, but I feel like crying and giving up. At least if I had lost any weight, maybe I'd consider messing my reproductive system worthwhile.

Please advise!

[Finelly]

Re: Stunted Ovulation

During the first six months or so, ketosis can do weird things to our hormones. A lot of women report that their periods are irregular, that they miss them, etc. Not uncommon at all, so I wouldn't worry.

Now, as for the other issues:

1. How do you know you're not in ketosis? Are you relying on the ketostix? 'Cause they are notoriously stupid. I've never used one in my life and a lot of the experts will tell you that they are pretty much useless. There are physical signs of ketosis, though: bad breath, strong-smelling urine, etc.

2. I just looked at what there is in your fitday. First of all, what the heck are you doing having RICE PILAF??????? That's not allowed! Neither are the PRALINE BARS! I don't care if they are low carb or not - they are not to be used in Induction - they can cause MAJOR stalling and cravings! I'd eliminate those forthwith. Like, now.

3. Your water intake is also extremely low. You need to be drinking 64 fluid oz of water per day, at a minimum. Or 3 25 oz bottles. The lack of water alone is probably hampering the elimination of fat and may be interfering with ketosis.

How about trying boot camp? There's one day left to apply, and given your desire to really get this right, they will probably accept you. Then you can have daily support, a strict induction regime, and a swift kick in the tush when you need one!

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Stunted Ovulation

Well I've been on extended induction since I started in May of this year and I have regular periods. I've never heard of Atkins causing missed periods.

Maybe others will have more advise or experiences.

[eireanngobrach]

Re: Stunted Ovulation

I have been Ex-Induction since mid June and mine are all messed up too, but at least I am getting them. I am not certian for sure if it's b/c of the food and my obsession with working out or if something else is going on.....

[Moochiecat]

Re: Stunted Ovulation

You might want to ask this question in the Women's Forum as well. Some ladies may not be that keen on discussing their cycles in an open forum like this.
If you aren't already registered for it, just follow the directions on the Women's Forum description.

[bugout429]

Re: Stunted Ovulation

Finelly,

Please don't yell at me. We're all adults here, there's no reason for you to "what the heck" me. That rice pilaf I logged - did you notice the serving size? It was 1 teaspoon. In actuality, it was even less. My greek salad that afternoon came with stuffed grape leaves, and I squished all the rice-filling out and just ate the leaves themselves, but logged the a tiny bit of the filling to be conservative and account for any little bit that might have been stuck inside.

Not uncommon at all, so I wouldn't worry.

Just because it's common doesn't mean I shouldn't worry! It's NOT ok, because I don't know the repercussions of this. I don't know if I'm jeopardizing my ability to ever conceive. Furthermore, if it's a result of ketosis, then that doens't apply to me, because I know I've not been in ketosis. I've only been in ketosis twice in these last 3 months, and both times it lasted about 2 days. I know, not just because of the ketostix, but because the other physicals symptoms you mentioned are not present, and mostly, because I do not lose any weight. I'm merely depriving myself of carbs - good and bad - and seeing no payoff.

By the way, what is bootcamp? Is it virtual or in-person? You are correct in that I really want to get this right, but I think my problem isn't necessarily the foods i eat, it's the quantities. I'm definitely guilty of over-proteining. Sometimes my dinner just tastes so good that I don't want to stop when I'm satisfied. :-( Is there a boot camp for that???

[Elizellen]

Re: Stunted Ovulation

Just because it's common doesn't mean I shouldn't worry! It's NOT ok, because I don't know the repercussions of this. I don't know if I'm jeopardizing my ability to ever conceive.

Hi - I can understand you worrying about this change - but do enrol in the women's Forum so you can do a search for the many threads there about how Atkins affects us over this part of our lives.

As for not being able to conceive because of lowcarbing - many of our members have ended up getting pregnant after having previously had problems conceiving!! Dawn (one of the mods) has given birth to a healthy girl recently!!

Again - please visit the women's forum and ask about this problem there and hear how Atkineering has affected others.

Another forum where you can speak to the members about this is the Pregnancy and Nursing forum http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...aysprune=&f=66