I haven't had TOM in over 2 years (on Mirena) and now it's back. Plus a very sore chest. Does this diet really mess with your hormones? My husband suggested that estrogen is being released from the fat cells, but that's just something he learned on House so I'm not necessarily believing it. Is this happening to anyone else, and do you know why?

Your husband is correct.

Pauley - did this only happen since starting IP for you? I am not entirely sure what's going on with me. I got my Mirena mid-December. No period and nothing for 6 months after the first few initial weeks of spotting. Then, at the end of June I started spotting, increased a bit, then it decreased again. I thought perhaps it was my first period since having the baby, but I have been spotting ever since so I don't know if it is the mirena causing it or the diet. I noticed today that my breasts were sore also, and I would be nearing the time of my period (if in fact the bleeding that started right before I went on this diet was my period). There's no risk of mirena failure due to hormonal shifts etc. with this diet is there?

I just posted a thread on this - I'm on birth control and very regular. Since starting this diet, at the same time my period was ending, I have spotted every day, and am now having what I think is a second lighter period about a week and 2 days before I should be having one. It basically feels like I haven't stopped. I googled this and apparently the diet effects hormones and estrogen is released from fat. It can also make birth controls less effective and websites advice that you use a back up method. I talked to my doctor - and she said that she'd never heard of a diet increasing estrogen so much and it might just be the rapid weight loss -- but there's just too many people that have experienced this.

And, personally, my weight loss is not so rapid lol!

Yes estrogen is released from the stored fat when its burned! I just commented about that in the dream thread, (and I just commented on yours too cherbee) I have heard of people doing this diet and it actually brought women OUT of menopause and back to getting a period. I believe it can make one extra fertile.

That's the scariest part of this diet to me - YIKES!!!! I wonder what's going to happen on my vacation because I will have some carbs and I'll have protein powder and shakes but not IP protein.

Oh, yay, extra fertile . . . that's just what I (the woman who has 3 kids 3 and under) need.

I apologize for the rant, but I'm going through the same thing! I'm on oral contraceptive and have been for years to help with pmdd and such, but this is ridiculous. If I haven't seen so many posts about women getting extra TOMs that last a while, I'd probably be freaking out. Has anyone been on IP for a while....like past phase one? how long did it last for you???

Also, I've noticed that I've been bruising slightly easier than normal...could this be related to the elevated blood lost? I'm thinking I should maybe take iron supplements.

I had a 2 day break between the "fake" one and the "real" one...this is going to be a loooong month!!!!

Oh my gosh I have bruises everywhere and I couldn't figure out why!! I'm so glad I read this now I'm thinking it could be IP related. Please post if you find anything more about this.

Lol! Omg 3 u 3 that is impressive you must be busy

Oh dear that came out wrong! I meant you must be busy with 3 little ones just though I should clarify!

It's true, I'm a case in point...I was told I couldn't have kids after trying for 5 years and giving up. I was on IP for 5 months and got pregnant with Charlie (now 4 months old)...for us she's a miracle but she wouldn't have been if we already had 3 under 3 lol.

This is amazing. I'm betting many struggling with fertility would go on the ip diet if they heard that story!

Mine were irregular (every two weeks) for about two months then they became regular again. But everyone is different.