Funny this thread is up today - I went to the GYN today - first time since I started - and he said my strange periods shouldn't be happening because I'm on bc pill - so now he's making me get an ultrasound to make sure I don't have a fibroid or anything like that - he didn't think the weight loss had anything to do with it. Since I see SO many people here with similar issues, I kind of do think it's got to do with it - but I trust him, so I'll get the test.

We women store estrogen in our fat cells, so on this diet we burn a LOT of body fat and the hormones get released in our bloodstream. This is why TOM becomes crazy and the pill becomes less effective, so beware because there have been a lot of IP babies due to failed BC.

LOL thanks for the warning....we were hoping to stop at two crazies! No surprises!!!

My coach told me to expect cycle changes and that it could get quite heavy. The info she gave me about people with polycystic ovarian syndrome also says it benefits those people (that's me btw) because it can affect your hormones. I personally have been spotting lots -- almost every few days-- and my last period was an extra week long.

I was looking to see if I could find information on TOM and here it is.
I've been off IP for several reasons (allergies, vacation) and had my first period since December. Since I am 51 this raised some flags with my gynecologist. I had a biopsy done and received a call from here in which she stated that I need to come see her if I don't have a cycle for the next 3 months as it appears that I am not postmenopausal, yet.
We didn't discuss the diet when I was there because I didn't make the connection then. I totally expected to have a hysterectomy and held off on restarting IP until I heard from her. Now I am more confused. What if the diet prevents me from having a cycle and that clouds the picture of what is really going on with my periods. I'd like to hear if there are others my age with the same or similar issues, please

Keep in mind that estrogen is stored in fat, and when you are in ketosis, the Metabolzed fat is releasing estrogen into your system. I have not had a TOM for a year, but as soon as I started losing fat, I had one! But only one. But your cycles can be irregular and unpredictable. I have seen some women have really bad cramps while on IP.

But as you can see from some of these posts, everyone is unique. What is true for one may not be for another

I would tell her about your diet. And I would also get a second opinion before getting surgery. I would not want to take such drastic measures when you are confused.

I have been on the depo shot for the last 4 years and hadn't had a period until I started IP. It started out as spotting but is now a full blown cycle (longer even). I spoke with my GYN and she found it surprising but explainable once I told her I'd been getting rid of a lot of fat.

She recommended I take a slow release iron supplement during my TOM since it has been heavier and longer.

I had my annual right before I started IP so I know everything tested normal. I felt better once I spoke with my doctor though. I'll be talking to her again to see if I should get the mirena IUD to have it be more effective against IP's hyper-fertility! We'll see what she says at the consultation.

This is exactly what my coach (a nurse practitioner) told me. I started IP and the very next day TOM showed up two weeks early and stayed for 2.5 weeks! I still had very good losses, but made sure I kept on drinking and stayed 100% OP. I was shocked at how easy it was for me to not binge, I wasn't hungry and just not real phased. It did quit and came again for 4 days, so hopefully I'll be back to a "normal" monthly schedule.

I know everyone is different and please follow your own physician's advice but please consider a second opinion before surgery. My sister had weight loss surgery based on a recommendation from her GYN when facing a total hysterectomy. After losing 140lbs, she no longer has "girl troubles."

How about moods and tender breasts? Doesn't usually occur for be but, they have been all week along with the sad,dark mood......I am loosing though..but

I have Mirena in and my counselor said that is probably what is plateauing me. I was consistently 3 lbs/week up until 3 weeks ago. Since then I've lost 1.8, 1.4, and .6 (in order) and I've been cramping (no period) on and off that whole time.

i haven't had a period in 1 yr (since Mirena was inserted) and still haven't on this diet, but I feel like I am PMSing 3days/week for the last 3 weeks.
Counselor said the estrogen being released from fat so quickly is 'excess' since I'm getting enough with the IUD, which is causing my PMS symptoms AND stalling my weight loss.
I haven't cheated or done anything else different from the previous weeks so I'm really bummed. I'm within 8 lbs of my goal so I made the decision yesterday to go to phase 2. There is still the possibility to lose and I know (personally) I just can't do another week of phase 1 and lose less than 1.5 lbs.
I also have had VERY low labito (TMI) which struck me as odd since I feel great and am so much more comfortable with my body. But when you research "excess estrogen" that is also one of the top side effects. So I'm pretty confident in this diagnosis.

Wish me luck on the next phases as I am REALLY hoping to lose at least another 5 so I can stay in the 120s in maintenance. I don't ever want to see 140s again!!! (and hopefully not 130s either)

Also, only slightly off topic, I'm pretty upset that my fat disappeared from the one place it shouldn't have first. :P
I have a photo of my jean size shrinking, but I could do a similar photo with my bra sizes and I was never 'well-endowed". Darn it!!
But I'd rather be thinned and wear that hugely padded VS bra.

Oooohhh God-thank you for helping me find this thread! I JUST started my cycle AND I JUST had my first weigh-in!!! I stated IP a week ago and kept track of my weight. I weighed myself last night 195 and today weighed in at 196. My body mass volume went up .22% and my lean mass decreased. My couch says this is to be expected during my TOM and next week should be better. I was feeling a bit miffed and ate an extra restricted bar. I beat myself up over it then read everyone else's posts and feeling a bit more relieved. Hopefully the bar doesn't mess me up too much. I have to say the crams are painful! My cycles are usually pretty intense but this month seems worse!

Last week I got extremely bloated, it didn't matter how much water I drank I just retained more of it. I was up 4 lbs at my WI. I finally just started spotting today and am still up 1 lbs (only lost 3 lbs from last week). I have my WI on Friday and am really hoping this last lb and even more will fall off in the next few days. I have been OP 100% all week. It's really discouraging!