No periods - too much exercise?

[ronniemipperton]

Hi all,

I came off Cerelle in September 2015 and have had about 3 measly AF appearances since then. I've been going backwards and forwards with various GPs and consultants, had scans (one said I had polycystic ovaries, one said I didn't) and blood tests (all broadly normal).

Today I saw an endocrinologist who thought I may be exercising too much. I was a bit sceptical about this as it's not like I'm particularly athletic in build - I'm 5'6 and about 65kg, cycle and run a lot so have strong legs but am generally pretty flabby - and it's not like I'm in training for anything, but I do cycle to work every day, go to the gym a few times a week and usually do a long bike ride (100+ miles) on the weekend. It doesn't really feel like enough to be causing this, but thinking back to the times AF has turned up it has been when I've been being less active than usual.

Just wondered if anyone else had experience of this, and if cutting back exercise helped? I'm so bored of feeling hopeless - I'm showing no signs of ovulation whatever - so prepared to give it a go, but would be good to know it's worked for others...

I've always had regular periods. A couple summers back I decided to start running and went out every couple of days pretty hard from nothing. That month I missed my period. Pretty sure it was a result of the extra stress on my body having not done exercise previously.

The only way for you to know for sure is to limit your exercise for the next couple of months to see what happens.

Look up anovulation - extreme exercise is considered a cause

Thanks. You're right. I'm a bit horrified at the prospect of not exercising to be honest (mainly at the prospect of not being able to eat everything in sight) so maybe I was doing more of it than I thought.

Just a quick update - have given up exercising and AF has just made an appearance for the first time in 8 months! I know it's a bit premature to celebrate but after months of nothing I am SO EXCITED :D

I keep talking about fertile windows with great enthusiasm, DH is looking a bit scared 😜

Wow just goes to show you then ronnie it does impact it! What have you been doing to fill your time?! I play league netball but thankfully it's end of season at the moment and I don't do anything excessive (100miles on a bike is impressive!) but I'm struggling with the keeping busy and finding things to do! Tonight's job is cleaning the oven 🙄

Ha Karpuzkiz I've been spending a lot of time thinking about domestic stuff and giving the house a proper clean, clearing out the loft etc but have been pretty rubbish at actually doing anything productive! I have got a lot of reading and watching of Netflix done though :) and I am still doing some yoga classes (no strenuous ones mind).

I still find it baffling that after so long thinking I should be focusing on losing weight, exercising every day etc the complete opposite may have been what my body needed... but if this is the start of regular AF/O and we can start ttc properly I will be so happy 😁