Amenorrhea

[Guest Pixi]

It's been three months without a period for me -- and these are the first three months I've been gluten-free.

Should I wait this out and allow my body to eventually regulate.. or do you think I should see a doc ASAP?

I'm not sure if this is common, although I've read through posts about it. I just want to be sure this isn't a big red flag indicating something that I don't know.. related to Celiac.

Hm. Any advice is appreciated, thank you

[penguin]

My first month gluten-free my period was 10 days late. Being the super hypochondriac I am, I called the gyno and they did a blood pregnancy test. When that came back negative, they told me to call back if I didn't have one for three months and they would make me have one with hormones. I would definitely reccommend calling your doctor about it.

[elonwy]

Couple things. Massive Dietary changes can affect cycles, your body can go into a sort of "stand-by" mode until it realizes whats happening, especially if you've dramatically cut down your carb intake.

Amenorrhea can also be a warning sign of osteoperosis, so it is definitly something you want to mention to your doctor. I got a bone scan after diagnosis because my mom is in her early 40's and has osteoperosis, and the excuse my doctor used to get the ins to pay for it was amenorrhea. Usually they won't be concerned until 6 months have gone by, but it is something to bring up and talk about.

It's probably just the shock of the diet change though.

Elonwy

[dionnek]

I have only had one period in the past 3 1/2 years (granted, I got pregnant after that one period - on purpose - so 9 months of that don't count ) - none of my dr's are concerned about it. I've only recently been dx with celiac and have only been gluten-free for 3 1/2 weeks, so it has nothing to do with the diet change for me. My dr's (and everyone I talk to) says it's b/c of my low body fat. If that picture is you, you look like you might have low body fat also. If so, I wouldn't be concerned. Just make sure you aren't pregnant, and talk to your ob about it when you go.

[CarlaB]

Dionnek,

I remember this chat with you from another thread, but just reading this post about you having a baby. Are you breastfeeding? My periods were gone for about 20 months when I breastfed; counting the 9 months of pregnancy, that would be 29 months without ... not quite the 3 1/2 years you mentioned, but still a possibility.

Carla

[dionnek]

Dionnek,

I remember this chat with you from another thread, but just reading this post about you having a baby. Are you breastfeeding? My periods were gone for about 20 months when I breastfed; counting the 9 months of pregnancy, that would be 29 months without ... not quite the 3 1/2 years you mentioned, but still a possibility.

Carla

I did breastfeed and pump (went back to work fulltime) for 5 months, but then gave up (no supply). It's been 15 months since I last pumped/breastfed and still no pd. Went to my ob yesterday and he said that unless I want to get pregnant (I don't) again that not having a period is ok. I think I'll have my endocrynologist do a bone density test next time I go - she had mentioned that anyway so probably a good idea now with the celiac diagnosis.

[Guest BERNESES]

Pixi- it's what's going on with me right now too. even when I was at my sickest and and lowest body weight, I only missed one period. Then all of sudden in January- they just stopped. So I called my OB/GYN and just did a round of Provera to induce a cycle so she can check my hormone levels (got my first period in 5 months yesterday- never so happy to get one!). It could be "shock" that your system is experiencing from the diet change, low body weight or it could be a thyroid issue. It will probably return to normal, but I'd call your doc and get things checked out.