female issues question

[BUFF]

question for whoever can help...

since jan, i've been dieting and competeting. my period has not been regular even being on the pill right now.. it's has always been off when i get heavy into physical activity so doesn't bug me all that much, but as crazy as it seems i would like to have it just to seem regular... i'm bulking for another comp now, i've been eating regular for the last couple of weeks, but will start the diet in a couple of days,, not full on for about 2-3 weeks.. does anyone know how regular this is, and do you think since i've been off for a couple of weeks my system will go back to normal.... any imput would help thanks...

[Puddles]

What is your bf% now and what has it been for the last few months, how old are you and were your periods regular before?

Everyone is different. I think for most women in your situation it would take a couple of months for it to kick back in. I have the opposite problem as you, even on cycle I never loose my period. Remember, you've been dieting/competing for 7 months, I don't think 3 weeks would be nearly enough time for your body to even out.

[BUFF]

bf is down around 5-6% only durning contest prep usually around 10-13 before i start dieting down. i know it's going to be wacky with everything that goes on right now, bf, dieting supplements, lifiting.. it has been irregular since i can remember i've always been involved in sports year around,,,, but usually on the pill which i am, it goes back to normal.. make sense?

[Snow White]

BF @ 5-6% cannot sustain ovulations and menses. Period (no pun intended)

[sana]

Originally posted by Snow White
Period (no pun intended)

:) welcome to the board.

[redsquirrel]

With the fluctuations in your BF, your body has no clue what's going on.

BF below 10% in most women is when menstruation becomes irregular or non- existent. I had my last period the 3rd week in June, did 2 shows, and didn't get it again until 3 months later. So if you've been doing this since Jan., it will take awhile after you're finished competing for the year for you to readjust.

More importantly- ( and this is just a word of caution), it's not healthy and counter productive to diet for that many months. You will start losing muscle after bout the 6th month, which you are way past. In addition, if memory serves me, you are natural, yes? In that case you are even more prone to losing muscle, and being "dieted out".

Also, (another word of caution); even the best female BBers don't get to 5%BF. It's virtually impossible for a woman to do. Even 6% is difficult. Women need to hold 6-8lbs of fat on stage to look right. The reason I mention this, is just make sure whoever is doing your BF is doing it correctly.

[figure_champ]

I would suggest reading up on athletic amenorrhea. I am a figure competitor who never had a regular period as a teen until I went on the pill. Once on the pill, it was somewhat regular but very light which my doctor never thought was not an issue. Since competing I have gone off the pill and only had 1 period in over a year. Even when not dieting and bulking, it never returned. My body fat is quite low (not sure what-not checked) and I can only assume it's due to that and my activity levels. From what I hear this is very common in competitors and high performance athletes. There is tons of info on the internet about this condition but it's always good to discuss it with your doctor.