At the end of Jan I significantly reduced meat in my diet. I eat fish a couple of times a week, eggs a couple of times a week and I've had cheese in very small amounts maybe once week. I'd already switched from cow milk to soy. So that;s the extent of animal products in my diet for abot 6 weeks. I am getting plenty of protien otherwise, I am not completely sure about B vitamins, b/c I know it's harder to get with a veg diet and I haven't paid that much attn. I feel good, other than more gas (beans!) and I go to the bathroom twice as often (fiber!). No wieght change, I am not manipulating portion sizes or how often I eat ( I'm not "dieting to lose wieght"). I am still nursing a few times a day, my youngest is a toddler and eating plenty of food...it's comfort nursing. I've had a regular period since the summer, and my last period started Jan 28. I haven't had one since and I took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I also consistently used birth control and really see no reason why I would be pregnant. When I google this I get lots of info on not getting enough calories when switching to a veg diet and that being the culprit in not having a period, but I really don't see how I'm maintaining a good wieght and not getting enough calories at the same time.
Anyone change their diet in a similar way and miss a period or more? Any nutritionists/dietians out there with more info? Thanks!
Too much soy can mess with your hormones. You might want to try rice or almond milk.
I would suggest speaking with a nutritionist, so you can lay out your entire diet, medical needs, and activity level.
Because losing your period is a sign of major malnutrition.
Says the anorexic athlete.
(Female athlete triad! Wheeee! :P)
Here are some things Ive done to my body over the years:
- I was eating HUGE meals (1,000 cal min each meal), 6 times a day... But was meeting less than half of my nutritional needs. Got so bad I had osteoporosis at 14.
- I barely ate at all (400 cal a day max), with a HUGE outgo (dancing 10hours a day) and was gaining weight. Like a lot. I we t from a size 9 to a size 18 in 6 months. "But I'm eating less & exercising more!" Is the BEST way to flat line your metabolism.
- When pregnant, on a completely monitored & outlined diet (including "cheats" for cravings preapproved... I gained 180lbs.
- Ive been an Olympic Hopeful, and Ive also been too weak to lift 20 pounds, and eaten so much heart muscle that Id start going into afib just walking across the room. I've lost my period for years, only had 1-3 periods a year. Lost hair. Changed my eye color (it came back). Lost my night vision (ditto). Damaged my organs (now all testing at a decade younger than my real age, thank god, Id be happy for my real age! Younger than is just a huge blessing).
Oh.... And so many other things. Thos was all years & years ago. Ive spent over 10 years being exteemely conscientious about my diet/eating habits/physiological needs. It took quite some time of working with a nutritionist & doctors.
NOW... Its possible in theory that one of half a dozen other causes skipped your period for 2 months... But malnutrition right when you change your diet makes me think VERY much that they're related.
You (obviously know) you can be vegan and still 100% nutritionally healthy... But it takes work.
From one whose been there... Work with a pro NOW... Rather than in a year or three after you've caused damage.
Could this be an issue with your iron intake? If you aren't eating meat, sometimes supplementing your iron is important. I am mostly veg, eat some soy, some fish, and have found that I need a supplement.
Hmmm, very strange! I am vegetarian and haven't had this issue. I have asked many docs about the soy, they all say that plant estrogen is different than regular, so not to worry. Most said drink/eat it in moderation just like you would anything else so you don't go overboard. But you don't sound to be over-consuming it. Just keep it in moderation.
The iron is a good theory, make sure you have enough of that. I also wonder if it's not what you ARE eating but what you AREN'T. If you aren't eating meat, you are no longer eating all of the hormones stuffed into the meat. So maybe that has something to do with it.
Keep track of what you eat in general, and ask at your next checkup. Or go in sooner if you're worried, but I think it's probably just the minor nuances of your new diet.
soy is fine but be sure it is organic
I've always heard that it's not just calories, it's also fat.
Breast milk and menses both contain a lot of fat. It could be that your body is using the available fat to produce breastmilk instead of menses. This is why women from hunter-gatherer societies don't menstruate heavily, and not at all while breastfeeding - they simply don't get enough fat.
Too much soy in your diet can mess with your hormone production. Stop drinking soy milk and don't eat soy products. See how it goes in a month or two.
