Very light periods - because I’m fat?

[lookwhosalonenowitsnotme]

I’m grossly overweight - BMI in high 40s - result of untreated CPTSD and eating for comfort/food as self harm . Stuck in a binge/starve cycle ie I’ll go 3 days not eating then cram for 3 days . I can’t stand myself, my body, but that’s another thread . I’m early 30s .

The thing that’s really worrying me just now is my periods have all but stopped . Previously they were very heavy and painful - I was admitted to hospital a few times 4-5 years ago for morphine - now I barely bleed at all, I don’t need to use pads as it’s more spotting - and no pain at all .

I have got endometriosis and PCOS . Haven’t been on the pill or anything like for well over a year though . Haven’t had hormone bloods for a very long time .

Mentioned to my GP a while ago that my periods were very light and that I’d been told something once that if I didn’t have a proper bleed I’d need an induced one, however GP said as long as I have even 24 hours of spotting that’s enough … I’m not sure though .

Wondering if it’s because I’m so fat, or if it’s early menopause or something?

Being extremely overweight can cause menstruation issues, but so can endometriosis and CPOS so it's likely a combination of all 3. It is possible that your periods have just changed naturally on their own, it does happen and is completely normal in many cases although any change is still worth getting checked out, I'd recommend speaking with your doctor, also ask about getting some help with your mental health as it sounds like you're really struggling

Given that you mentioned being in a binge/starve cycle sometimes, I wonder if that is having more of an effect on your cycle than your weight alone. I know it can be hard to get doctors to really pay attention when you’re in a bigger body because “lose weight” is just the automatic response, but I think it’s worth trying to find a sympathetic GP who can give you some help unpicking this. Wishing you the best.

I'm having the exact same issues as you OP and was about to make a post myself. My periods are very light too when they used to be very heavy. I'm obese with PCOS and have to take the progesterone pill to induce a period as I'm not getting mine and they're still very light. I told my endo this and she didn't really say much to it but I'm concerned as googling this means that I could be having a breakthrough period where I'm not ovulating and I really want to conceive at some point and have children. It furthers my concerns I can't have children. Maybe this is what is happening with you, that your periods are breakthrough ones?

That’s kind of what I’m thinking, that I’m probably not ovulating . I’m worried about the same thing, I do want to have children one day and scared I won’t be able to .

Re mental health … I’ve been referred to community MH team and had an assessment earlier this month where they said I could get a lot of support . I was referred to weight watchers but honestly don’t have the head space to understand it all, same with slimming world . GP said to focus on just eating something each day just now . I’m on anti depressants that are renowned for causing weight gain so that’s not helping at all .

@lookwhosalonenowitsnotme it's really difficult isn't it? I've been told to lose weight but when you are depressed and have no motivation it's hard to give yourself that kick up the butt to do something. It doesn't help that depression is one of the things that comes with PCOS. My endocrinologist said that in order to avoid risk of infertility I do need to lose weight and that's the main motivation for me, I really hope we both get the chance to have DC. Having PCOS sucks 😕