How weight affects your periods:

Being underweight or overweight can alter your menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is a result of a complex interaction between your ovaries and your brain.Changes in your hormone levels cause ovulation,and hormonal changes result in your period. Anything that interferes with this interaction can stop your body from ovulating.If you don’t ovulate, you’ll skip a period. Hormone levels are affected by your weight and the amount of fat in your body.

Infrequent periods:

Women who were normal weight then gained enough pounds to become overweight can begin to have infrequent periods. Increasing your body’s fat stores ( also known as adipose tissue)leads to a hormonal imbalance that can stop ovulation.

Amenorrhea:

If you lose too much weight, you may stop having periods altogether. When you don’t have period for three months (and not pregnant),it is known as amenorrhea.

Symptoms of amenorrhea :

1. Acne
2. Excess facial hair
3. Headache
4. Pelvic pain
5. Vision changes

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is common problem in young women now a days. PCOS is a “syndrome,” or group of symptoms that affects the ovaries and ovulation. Its three main features are:

• Cysts in the ovaries
• High levels of male hormones
• Irregular or skipped periods

PCOS affects up to almost 27 percent of women during their childbearing years.

Causes:

Genetic

Insulin resistance

Thyroid disorders

Increased inflammatory levels

Symptoms:

Menstrual cycle irregularities leading to delayed periods and decreased period blood flow.

Acne

Thick  hair growth

Weight gain

Dark skin patches

Male pattern baldness

MANAGEMENT:

Diet and lifestyle tips to treat PCOS

Management  of PCOS usually starts with lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet, and exercise.

Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help regulate your menstrual cycle and improve PCOS symptoms.

Weight loss can also help to  :

• improve cholesterol levels
• lower insulin
• reduce heart disease and diabetes risk.

When to see a doctor:

• You’ve missed periods, and you’re not pregnant.
• You have symptoms of PCOS, such as hair growth on your face and body.
• You’ve been trying to get pregnant for more than 12 months but haven’t been successful.
• You have symptoms of diabetes or unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

PCOS is a treatable condition, so stay active and eat right.

For further information and consultation: 

Name: Dr. N. Divya Swetha

MBBS., DGO., DNB

Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. At times, these become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. Also, they cause no symptoms at all in some cases and the growths are typically benign, or noncancerous.

Causes of uterine fibroids:

1. Pregnancy

2. Hormones

3. Family history

4. Non-nutritious food

Who are at risk?

Women with the below mentioned signs are more prone to the risk of uterine fibroids.

1. Pregnancy

2. Heavy weight

3. Age of 30 or older

4. Family history

5. African-American women

Symptoms of fibroids:

1. Heavy bleeding

2. Pain in the pelvis

3. Pain during intercourse

4. Increased urination

5. Increased menstrual cramping

6. Pressure or swelling in the lower abdomen

7. Menstruation that lasts longer than usual

8. Fullness in the lower abdomen

So, if you experience these symptoms, please consult your gynecologist as early as possible and get it treated.