SSRI's and Menstruation

[mkroyer]

All,
for the past 2 years, ive had whats been diagnosed as amennorhea due to excessive training and undereating (the female athete triad). Basically i havent had a period since i dropped a lot of body fat and started running/training for marathons.
Anyway,
this past fall/winter, i fell into a sever depression, and a few months ago finally started getting treated with Wellbutrin, and then later added Sertraline (Zoloft) I have been on this combo for maybe 2 months now, and i feel so much better (regarding depressive sysmptoms).
Any, 2 days ago, i noticed a LITTLE bit of (TMI) blood when i went to the bathroom. i WAS STUNNED. i have seen NOTHING in regards to that for 2 years. NOTHING, NOT A DROP. Then today, i actually had some bigger clots/more blood........ as in, i think my body is kinda sputtering and trying to start a period!!! Which would ALSO explain why ive been so bloated tha past week (up like 6 pounds!) and breaking out with modd swings... blah blah blah

OK, does anyone know, or has anyone experienced SSRI's helping tyour cycle? Either making you HAVE a period after not having one, or any other connection? Could my amennorhea have been related to my depression all along?

IM really really really excited that my period my be starting again!! after 2 years i started to lose hope and im only 30! i want more children.....

Sorry if this post was too graphic
and thanks for reading

[aimeebell]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I wanted to mention that Wellbutrin is also used to help smoking cessation, so if you are thinking of quitting, this drug might help that also. (I wouldn't normally go around spouting off anti-smoking advice. Just you mentioned thinking about quitting in another post.)

[saef]

Mkroyer, I am so glad to read your post!!!!! I don't give a damn that it's graphic -- that just shows the extent of the good news!!!

In answer to your query, no, SSRIs never affected my cycle either way. I've told you before that my menstrual cycle ceased for about 18 months, but resumed after I regained a certain level of body fat. I was on SSRIs for quite some time during that period, as the thought then was that my eating disorder was caused in part by depression with a heavy side dish of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It wasn't the pills; it was the regain.

I'm thinking that just maybe your body is recovering in general, and it can't be attributed solely to the medication. But isn't that good news, since, as I recall, haven't you been working very diligently at repairing your metabolism & any residual damage from overtraining?

Again, I'm so happy for you.

[mkroyer]

Saef-- i HAVE been! Thank you so much. I am really excited, if it IS a period..... other than the SSRI's and Wellbutrin though, nothing has really changed, as far as my routines/training/eating habits.......