WEIGHT LOSS CAN STOP PERIODS

While losing excess weight can be one of the healthiest things you can do, as it reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes among many other issues, there can be side effects – particularly if you shed the pounds very quickly.

Women can be impacted by a change to their menstrual cycle. Dr Babak Ashrafi, a GP at Superdrug Online Doctor, explains, “Irregular periods, or periods stopping altogether, can take place as a result of sudden or extreme weight loss. This is because restricting calories, either through dieting or appetite suppression weight loss treatment, can put your body into survival mode. This can impact hormonal production and put a brake on your menstrual cycle, which leads to your period being delayed or stopping.

“Thankfully, most of the time a missed or delayed period is not something to cause major concern and eventually your body will readjust on its own as it adapts to your new body weight. But it’s recommended that if you are experiencing period disruptions or stopped periods over a course of three months or more to see your GP.”

Guidelines suggest you should aim to gradually lose weight, dropping only one to two pounds each week. The best way to do this is to avoid crash dieting, instead making healthier food choices and becoming more active.