Lack of menstrual period caused from nutritional deficiency??

Question

Ok, I have not had regular periods since I was 14. The first year or two I started they were pretty regular, then they got spaced farther apart. Now they are almost non existant, except when I was on the Slim Fast shakes to lose weight. I was on that diet twice and both times I was on a regular monthly schedule. Once I stopped drinking Slim fast, my periods pretty much stopped. So... could I have some sort of deficiency that I am getting in Slim Fast, so my periods are regular only while I am taking Slim Fast? I thought maybe my iron was so low my body wasn't able to produce more blood to replace that I lost in my period. But I'm really not sure. I think there must be something in Slim Fast that triggers my periods. Any thoughts on this?

When I was on the Slim fast diet I didn't lose no more than 10 lbs, and no I am not skinny anyway. lol I'm not super athletic but I spend a lot of time outdoors, being active. No, there is no way I'm pregnant and no way I have an STD. When I do have a period and am not on slim fast it is very light, only lasting a couple days.
I never cramp or have any pain.

Answer 1

You must maintain a certain a certain level of body fat in order to have regular periods, so yeah. If you are nutritionally deprived they may not be regualr. Also, if you are very athletic they will sometimes be irregular, start late or stop until your body fat level is raised. This is nature's way of limiting population growth in times of food scarcity.

Answer 2

Here are some thoughts: first-I hope you are following the directions to the Slim Fast diet very closely and are eating plenty of roughage since Slim Fast has been known to cause colon cancer. Secondly, are you an athlete? If so, then it is possible for a woman to lose enough body weight that affects the menstrual cycle. Thirdly, if you are involved in both the above activities, I hope you are going to your physician on a regular basis to have your weight loss monitored and to make sure you are losing weight in a healthy way. If you haven't been to your physician in awhile, now my be a good time to make an appointment. You could be anemic, dehydrated, or a number of other symptoms could be aiding the problem with your menstrual cycle. To have the peace of mind though, get a physical from your physician and have him/her do lab work that way if you are lacking anything in your diet, you will be able to find out what it is and the best way to add it to your diet. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yes, nutritional defiance's can cause a lack of menses. It seems unusual that slim fast keeps you regular. Are you always "on diets?" People who constantly diet or are substantially underweight or anorexic loose their periods.

Are you overly concerned about your weight?

It's probably a good idea to talk to a doctor and discuss this problem. There are also medical problems that can stop your period.
Firstly, pregnancy. Could you be pregnant?
Could you have a STD? Sexually Transmitted Dease?
Could you have a tumor either on the ovaries or on your pituitary glands, which could stop a period.


There are many physical ailments that could account for loss of your menses.

Regardless of your age, you should get a complete physical and a complete gynecological exam.

Take care, and do the right thing. You can't take care of any thing or any one else if you aren't 100%.

Answer 4

stop the slim fast. your body is having a hard time adjusting to the weight changes and malnutrition from slim fast. with iron your period is heavy. best of luck.

Answer 5

Hormones are the key to a regular menstrual cycle. Find yourself a good naturopath or other natural practitioner (I see a kinesiologist), and they'll help you both figure out what the current problem is, and then find a solution for you.

Answer 6

slim fast does not trigger menstrual cycles. though it cab cause vitamin deficiencies.

Answer 7

yea...