Overweight women often experience irregular periods. What happens is that fat cells produce extra estrogen, tricking the ovaries into thinking the body is pregnant so the menstruation stops completely. It can also cause insulin resistance that can in turn lead to Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS usually don't ovulate and therefore have irregular periods.
Other contributing factors related to obesity and menstruation include:
- Poor nutrition. It is common for overweight women to actually be malnourished. While they may be eating too many calories, they aren't getting the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy.
- Over training. Overweight women who exercise too much in an effort to lose weight or bulk up are also affected. Over training leads to further health problems, including osteoporosis. It reduces estrogen levels, which causes the menstrual cycle to stop.
- Too much estrogen. Extra estrogen causes an overgrowth of cells.
- Stress. When your body is under a great deal of stress the adrenal glands produce more cortisol, therefore throwing your hormones out of balance.
- Hormone imbalance. Too much estrogen or not enough progesterone affect the menstrual cycle.
- Eating Disorder. Binge eating is one example of an eating disorder that can affect your monthly cycle. Women who binge eat repeat a cycle of overeating followed by a severely restrictive diet.
- Medication. Medications have side effects. Some cause weight gain and make it difficult to reverse the cycle.
Treating Irregular Menstrual Cycles
Losing a little weight can help restore balance in your body and regulate your monthly periods. Dr. Ronald Wright, the chair of Obstetrics/Gynecology at Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville, Indiana says “Irregular Cycles caused by obesity are often treated with hormonal medications, but the treatment should always include a weight loss program.” His article, The Menstrual Cycle and Obesity, also states that even losing 5-10 pounds can help women by regulating their menstrual cycles.
Healthy Weight Loss Can Help Regulate Your Menstrual Cycle
The bottom line is that most of the time your diet and lifestyle are to blame for irregular monthly periods. Talk to your doctor about any irregularities you have. He or she can prescribe something if the problem is hormonal. It is also a good idea to concentrate on eating right, exercising in moderation and controlling the stress in your life. Don't follow an extremely restrictive diet or become obsessed with working out in an attempt to lose weight faster. Losing weight at a slow and steady pace is the healthiest way to go. By managing your weight you can better manage your hormones and menstrual cycle.
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