Female question? (worried)

[quotidianlight]

I am averaging a good amount of calories (1400-1600), more than I have on any other diet plan and my loss is within the healthy range (about 2-3lbs a week). Yet my TOM keeps going and going and going. I normally only last about 5 days but I am going on 12 and getting nervous every time I think it's over it comes back. Did anyone else go through this while getting used to this WOL or should I be really worried.

[kate58]

Re: Female question? (worried)

In women fat is hormonally active and is both affected (in that it's easier to gain weight) by estrogen, and produces estrogen. When you start to eat a high-fat low-carb diet, fat is not simply lost, it is changed in it's nature, it becomes more active, and the result is changes in the hormonal balance of the body.

The fact that fat is a source of estrogen is one of the reasons why being overweight carries an increased risk of hormone dependent breast tumours (I had one of those!!). It is also is why overweight women, in general, tend to have an easier time at menopause - in that they may gain weight, but are less prone to the problems that result from diminishing estrogen levels, when the ovaries start to close down, the fat is still there as a source of hormone.

Anyway, when you start to be a fat metaboliser, basically your hormones are all over the place, and you can get longer periods, more frequent periods, break through bleeding, all sort of odd things. But it settles after a while - mine certainly has now, and in a good way.

[Sheena23]

Re: Female question? (worried)

I am getting more frequent periods. I'm blaming this to a couple of things but I have no doubt that my WOE is also effecting AF to rear her ugly head twice a month now. grrrrr

[quotidianlight]

Re: Female question? (worried)

This is gonna suck

[shari_dawn]

Re: Female question? (worried)

my period changed too. I sure didn't know the cause but now thanks to this thread I do. It seems like lately my periods seem be be getting tougher. And that was before I started this way of eating back up. grrr. Now I'm sure its going to suck worse.

[kate58]

Re: Female question? (worried)

It gets better. At least mine did. Horrible, irregular, heavy for about 3 months, then lighter, regular and and much better than before I began. And the biggest change is positive - now I am the crazed and irrational b**** from H*** for maybe only 1 day a month - it used to be for at least a week.

[quotidianlight]

Re: Female question? (worried)

I was always blessed with easy TOM's that I can't imagine it getting better. Sheesh, I'm going on two weeks! *sighs* well at least the weight is coming off and I'm awake in the mornings.

BTW, I'm a crazy and irrational b*^*&^*( most of the time so any improvement in that area would be amazing

[DigitalMocking]

Re: Female question? (worried)

Speaking as a husban who dealt with his wife like this, I can echo kate58's findings. My wife's period went crazy for about 3 months when we did atkins together, but after that they were lighter, shorter and completely regular for the next year+

[Mirya]

Re: Female question? (worried)

depending on the amoutn of water you drink it can be much heavier as well. On my liquid diet i tried i had a 9 day period from start to finish was freaking horrible and cost me a fotune in personals. Anyway on this WOE (Atkins) I had been taking the depo shot due to painful cramps as depo helps to get rid of or relieve ,enestration. Since I have been on this WOE I haven't had a TOM although my body is goign through the shifts like it is. I have been doing this since Jan. 1st, 2008 and still nothing and todat is the 24th. that in total makes 6 months without a TOM. I wish I could help but all I can give is past dieting exp.

[mystic]

Re: Female question? (worried)

Wow now that was interesting to learn! Thanks for all that info Kate. You got a rep point from me

[sallyseachange]

Re: Female question? (worried)

Kate said it spot on. Don't worry, the changes due to hormonal differences will settle down in a while.
If they don't though, and you're concerned, it wouldn't hurt to get medical advice. See how you're doing in a month or two...

[Mothercooter]

Re: Female question? (worried)

This explains so much for me. Last time I did atkins, my periods went crazy. This of course made my natural family planning worthless and I ended up pregnant, lol. I would say that I wished I had known this then but then I wouldnt have David, the newest addition.

Sure helps knowing this time though!!!

[quotidianlight]

Re: Female question? (worried)

This explains so much for me. Last time I did atkins, my periods went crazy. This of course made my natural family planning worthless and I ended up pregnant, lol. I would say that I wished I had known this then but then I wouldnt have David, the newest addition.

Sure helps knowing this time though!!!

Okay, this needs stickied as a known side affect

[Mirya]

Re: Female question? (worried)

ALSO somethign else to keep in mind is as your body burns fat there is a upsetting of the hormes. ONe being ESTROGEN and burning fat can increase fertility.

[Mothercooter]

Re: Female question? (worried)

Okay, this needs stickied as a known side affect

totally agree!!!!