Weight Loss routine can affect your menstrual health in many ways. Experts explains the connection and how reducing extra kilos impacts period cycle.
Weight loss seems to have become an integral part for everyone these. Individuals have different reasons to embark on weight loss journey. An amalgamation of right balance exercise, nutrient-dense food, healthy lifestyle can collectively affect the over health in myriad of ways. It can also affect your obesity, diabetes, thyroid levels, menstrual cycle etc. Speaking of menstruation, how we chose to live our life affects the health of periods. Severe stress, gaining weight, losing weight can also affect the regularity and flow. Weight loss can be beneficial as well as detrimental. It all depends on how much weight you lose, how quickly you lose it and what’s the starting weight when you begin your weight loss journey.
The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones like estrogen, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutenising hormone (LH). It is like an orchestra in symphony. They act together but in different ways.
How Weight Loss Can Affect Period Cycle?
India.com got in touch with Dr. Rohan Palshetkar, Head of Unit Bloom IVF, Professor, Dept of OBGy, DY Patil School of Medicine who elaborated on the connection between the two. He said, “Weight plays a crucial role in maintaining this balance. Excessive fat leads to increased estrogen production which can lead to heavy bleeding, irregular periods or sometimes amenorrhea (absence of periods). When a person loses weight, the amount of fat in the body reduces which can reduce the estrogen levels. For women who have menstrual issues due to being overweight, weight loss can be helpful in regularising the periods.”
Is Rapid Weight Loss Good For Periods?
Research has shown that 5-10% loss in body weight can have a beneficial effect on your menstrual regularity and ovulation. However extreme and rapid weight loss can have a bad effect on your periods. When you go on severe calorie restricted diet, it is possible that your periods stop all together. This is because your gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion is stopped or slowed down by the hypothalamus (part of the brain which releases this hormone). GnRH helps in the release of FSH and LH which are essential for ovulation and menstrual regularity.
Besides hormonal imbalances, there are nutritional deficiencies which occur with extremely rapid weight loss. Essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, vitamin D, and B vitamins are crucial for overall health, including reproductive health. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to a range of health issues, including anemia and bone density loss, which can further disrupt menstrual regularity and reproductive function.
A gradual sustainable weight loss is ideal to ensure your menstrual cycle is regular. A balanced diet rich in whole foods, adequate protein, healthy fats, and a variety of fruits and vegetables ensures the body receives essential nutrients. Regular exercise, stress management and most importantly adequate sleep are vital that will help your journey of weight loss and achieving regular periods.