PMS & Atkins

[kjspea]

Dr. A was so very thorough but skipped over this one...

And although I tried to sign up for the women's forum, it is not active...

Can anyone share experiences of how the eating plan has affected your cycle, specifically PMS? I usually get strong chocolate cravings & retain water like crazy and this will be the first cycle on Atkins, so I am trying to brace myself....

Have any of your symtoms decreased, increased, changed, etc?


Thanks for sharing!

[bluerain324]

Re: PMS & Atkins

This past cycle was the worst i'd had in a long time. I bloated 5-6 lbs for about a week, so I was miserable. I felt literally 6 months pregnant. I also ate half a carton of the Breyers low carb chocolate ice cream. I didn't gain any weight, but I didn't lose any either. Then all of sudden in a few days I dropped 7 lbs- can anyone say wooshie fairy?

[freckles]

Re: PMS & Atkins

I'm in cranky crazy PMS land right now..... just feeling munchie and ickola.

[citsim]

Re: PMS & Atkins

I have had 1 period since I started Atkins on March 27th 2006, I was 10 days late. I bought like 3 boxes of pregnancy tests...I was suppose to start on the 10th but didnt start till the 25th & then instead of my reg 5 days it lasted 3. The nurse I talked to said I had effected my cycle by the sudden change of eating habbits & weight loss. Will see how the next one goes.

[samndee]

Re: PMS & Atkins

Fortunately for me, my PMS has been absent since starting this WOE in January. I only get mild cramps. And I used to get a laundry list of symptoms. I attribute this to the sugar that I used to eat...I'm so glad that the PMS is gone!

Also, you might want to start taking Evening primrose oil...it makes PMS a non-issue. I hope all goes well for you!

[staziaw]

Re: PMS & Atkins

I'm totally going through a visit from TOM right now! And I've been struggling with cravings, sweet cravings, all day. I purposely packed lots of nibblies for the day, since meals don't feel good in the belly at this time. A little salty (pepperoni and cheddar cheese) and a little sweet (panna cotta-Italian sweet cream-yumminess), along with my usual meals in smaller portions and spread out more.

Since I started Atkins in February, my migraines are fewer and of lower intensity. My PMS is waaaaaaay down (my roommate is grateful that I'm not carrying around a knife every month anymore!). My bloating is down. My crankiness is down. And my energy is better, to which I credit exercise. I've noticed these changes over the past 3 months.

So, lots of good. A little bad. But all controllable! In fact, I just went looking for Induction-friendly (I'm on extended Induction) desserts! I'm planning on making Pumpkin Custard tonight! Something warm and yummy! Yippee!

Good luck!
Stacy

[soliwit]

Re: PMS & Atkins

Ok, I don't want to bring all you people down, but......I am doing this WOE since over a year, at a certain point my TOM started to be waaaay off, I started to get it a week earlier than I was supposed.
I am still VERY emotional, sadly that didn't change a bit, so I am still picking fights and being a cry-baby all over.
Than the last 2 periods I had hardly any bleeding BUT CRAMPS !!!!!!!!!!! (OMG, I don't even want to think back).......but no drop came out !
The moment I start taking the pill again the pain stops, but one week before and the whole week I was supposed to get my period I was having these awfull cramps.
Got my husband all worried too.
Thing is I just had a research at the gynacologist a month ago, I called him again and he said not to worry, so I guess I don't....he says it could also be the change of pill. (thing is though I only changed the pill this last month, so it doesn't explain the cramps of the TOM before this one.)
Now for the good news: most of the time I dropped a pound or 2 after TOM and it would stay off too !!!

[Barbde]

Re: PMS & Atkins

OK girlies.
Evening Primrose Oil for the PMS works wonders.
L-Glutamine for the sugar cravings. (L-Glutamine is talked about in the book, look it up in the index, I have page 136 stuck in my head but that may not be right)
Both are cheap, and have been my lifesavers. You can find them at Walmart, drugstores or GNC.

[kjspea]

Re: PMS & Atkins

Hey Ladies, thank you very much for your responses. It really helps to see what others have gone through and the advice is greatly appreciated.

I am happy to hear about you ladies who have PMS under control while on the Atkins eating plan, it really is quite inspirational. I have always been a chocoholic (pre-Atkins) and seem to have had my cravings under control within about 3 days of ketosis. I still have my choco soy and mini Choco velamints...but I can totally control myself and it doesn't lead to cravings. But just waiting for full PMS mode...

Thanks for also sharing that it has affected your cycles, I am on FAM so this is really of concern to me!!! (Natural BC w/ temps, etc....a subject for a whole other board...)

I am just feeling so bloooooated right now, it is probably b/c I have been drinking so much water.

I am going to get the Primrose Oil - great suggestion, I am sure I will be thanking samnde and barbde . Per Dr. A's research, I have already purchased L-Glutamine, but haven't used it yet. Maybe it's time....

Thanks again ladies, I sincerely appreciate the input & suggestions from all of you.

[msnicksmom]

Re: PMS & Atkins

I'm glad you mentioned you practice FAM, your temps should be OK, and if you check CM that should be unaffected too. I wish I had started temping, I wouldn't be FREAKING OUT because AF is usually like a clock, and this month 3 days late and still no show. Testing tomorrow, but don't feel pg, likely it's just the changes I've put my body through. But your temps and CM will be true, and PMS symptoms do tend to be less for many. YMMV.

[demonangela]

Re: PMS & Atkins

I noticed a huge change - the length I had my period. This is the first time I have had it since I have been on atkins - I got it a day early, last Thursday, and it will be a week tomorrow and I am still spotting tonight!! Where as before, I would be 4-5 days and it was over...i don't like this extended period!!! =(

[katiewash]

Re: PMS & Atkins

I am experiencing my TOM currently. I have wanted to post about this topic, but didn't want to gross everyone out, but since I didn't bring it up, I'm excited to share this news.

As far as cravings, I haven't had any worse than usual... of course I think about cake a lot anyway.

I have hypothyroidism and PCOS (supposedly, the doctors aren't really sure) and have had extremely irregular periods, sometimes going for 4-5 months without one. Secretly, I had come to the conclusion that most, if not all, of my varying health symptoms, including hair loss, were because of the sugar and carbs circulating in my system, but I could be wrong. I can say that my last TOM was in February. I was interested to see how long it would take me to have a TOM when I started Atkins. It was one week. I don't think it was a coincidence.

In addition to having jumpstarted my cycle, it has been much more hmmm.... shall we say productive? which I am glad for because going too long between TOM or having a very small ones for an extended period of time can cause endometriosis. I've got some catching up to do.

I also don't know if this rings true with anyone else, but I cut my finger the other day and noticed that my blood is a brighter, clearer shade of red. I have heard somewhere that this is an indication of good health, but that may be an urban legend.

Hope that wasn't TMI.

[samndee]

Re: PMS & Atkins

Katie,

I'm glad to hear that this WOE has helped regulate your cycle. It must be because cutting out all the carbs helps to regulate soooo many of our body's systems and hormones.

I noticed that a cut on my finger a few weeks back healed in about 4 or 5 days. And this was a pretty deep, serious cut....I was surprised to see it heal completely THAT quick! I attribute that to the abundance of vitamins and nutrients I'm getting now. I didn't notice any change in color or appearance of the blood when I got the cut, but that's because I was too preoccupied with the pain from it.

I wish you the best!

[katiewash]

Re: PMS & Atkins

Wow, Dee! That's awesome!

One other thing I forgot to mention, within a week and a half of starting induction, the amount of hair left on my hands when I was shampooing went from a wadful to just a few strands, really what I would consisder a normal amount. I am so excited about that because my hair loss has been almost more depressing than my weight.

Now if I could just get the TOM skin problems under control!

[staziaw]

Re: PMS & Atkins

Hey DemonAngela - my first cycle on Atkins was also early and loooooooong. However, that equalized the next month. I seriously wonder if my body was detoxing in more ways than one! But, just so you know, not every period will be like this one!!

Big love,
Stacy