Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Okay, this isn't really "lack" of a menstruation, but it is VERY VERY light this month....just a tiny bit of a pink shade to the mucus. Nothing red or nothing that would really require a pad or tampon.
This has been going on on Thursday, Friday, and now today. At first I was hoping it was just starting out light, but now it's starting to seem like this might be all I can expect to come out.
I guess there are two options: either I lost too much weight, or can Lyme just make your periods kind of disappear?
I started some new meds....Malarone and Biaxin and also an herbal blend that treats Myco (but I'm not really herxing from it).
I have actually been feeling better on the Malarone. I do herx a little after my night time dose, by getting hot to the touch...and there are some aches and pains in my muscles, etc.
So it seems like the Malarone and Biaxin are working but also killing stuff. Could this killing cause my body to decide to have a "light" period?
It's weird because it's not like my body just delayed the period because of a "stressor," which can happen.
So it seems more like a "you don't weigh enough" type of thing.
I have lost maybe 5 pounds in the last month, but I do not look like the type of person who doesn't weight enough to have a period.
Yes, I'm petite and slender, but I still have a small pocket of fat on my tummy, and my arms and legs are average size....there is still a little meat on them, though not a lot.
I am between 5'1" and 5'2" and I weigh 112 lbs. I would say that is pretty average for someone my height. Even though I am slender and small-boned, my breasts are larger for my size, so that might skew my weight a little I would think. I am 25 years old.
I did have a time of about 9 months when I was 16 where I was a runner and I didn't have my period at all. But then my stomach was flat as a board and I probably only weighed like 95 lbs (I did not look boney though just slender), so I seem like I'm far from that kind of shape. I didn't have Lyme then either that I know.
I am just wondering if this is some kind of healing crisis with the babesia/lyme/whatever, or if I should eat some more carbs or something to bring back the regular period. That is why I have lost 5 lbs, I cut out sugars, desserts, etc. I still get a pretty decent amount of fat though but maybe my overall calories have decreased.
Anyways....I think it is bad for you to not have a period b/c of weight issues because it affects your hormones, so I would like to know if this is something I need to take care of. Back when I was 16 I didn't care, but I wish I would have known then that was not healthy.
So what should I do?
Thank you.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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I don't think it has anything to do with your weight. You're perfect in that regard.
And, really I would not worry too much about light periods but there are some things to help nourish your body in this regard.
It may have to do with anemia and/or your liver. Oddly (for amateurs like me to understand), the liver plays a tremendous role in menstrual health and comfort.
I don't quite know how to explain it but if you have a good N.D. around, they can set you right in a few months' time. Acupuncture may also help, especially if stagnation is involved (as it likely is).
Dong Quai (tang-kuei), Angelica, etc,. are some good nourishing herbs. I used to have terribly debilitating cramps - for decades - and a ND managed to get me pain free just before menopause came (and that was a breeze). No MD ever provided any help. They didn't even know how to other than knock out drugs that would not work.
Now, you don't have pain, but NDs are great with these sort of things to really help the body get stronger.
A very light period now and then is probably nothing to be concerned with, however, it may be a sign that you are missing nutrients. Herbs are power-packed with specific nourishment and an ND would know best how to proceed.
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Thanks! Yeah that's good to know about my weight, because no one would look at me and say "she is too skinny," so I can't imagine my weight isn't enough.
I don't know why I am so weirded out by this menstrual change....I guess I am just afraid of loosing my period completely, because I have read about how that can lead to increased risk for osteoporosis, etc. (according to mainstream medicine at least)
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Menopause can come as early as 35, but to come at 25 would, indeed be rare. Not every woman has "normal" periods all the time - even "normal" women. If there is any chance that you could be pregnant, be mindful that a light period may still happen in that case so don't overlook it if it might even remotely be possible.
(And you certainly do not have to reply. Just a note for you - or any other woman who may read this later.)
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Actually, I'm starting to worry about pregnancy. My husband and I use precautions, but none of them are 100% fool-proof of course so there is always a slight chance.
I didn't know that you could be pregnant and still get a light period. I have heard of "implantation bleeding" but when I read the description of it, it didn't sound like what I'm experiencing.
Nothing I'm on right now would be super-toxic in pregnancy (Malarone which has been used in pregnancy with malaria and Biaxin which is not ideal but I know Dr. J uses Zithro at least), but it would certainly be nice to know soon so I could go on different meds if necessary.
The other thing that worried me about pregnancy is that I have been feeling better lately, and I have read some women feel better during pregnancy.
I will continue to look into that possibility.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Oh - do not Dong Quai if there is a chance of pregnancy. You must have posted your note above while I was composing this one.
You said: " I didn't know that you could be pregnant and still get a light period. "
Yes, it is possible and it has happened. But "light" period can have variances in what "light" means.
It may not be likely but you still need to be sure and proceed with caution in case. Best of luck however this all works out - and relax.
========
This would just be a start to the research. This would be best in a formula designed specifically for you by a ND but this gives you an idea of one of the very best herbs for women's health. And this is also good for many other things, too.
WHAT IT DOES: Dang gui root is sweet, pungent and bitter in taste, and warming in action. It nourishes the female essence, tonifies blood, helps form healthy new blood, and catalyzes circulation (moves the blood).
RATING: Gold/Silver, due to minor limitations in usage.
SAFETY ISSUES: Do not use during pregnancy without consulting a qualified medical practitioner. Do not use with heavy menstrual bleeding. Do not use if taking blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin. (Lo et al., 1995).
There are concerns about adulteration of this herb with related species, so try to purchase only from reliable and knowledgeable dealers.
. . .
Dang gui is a blood-moving and blood-nourishing herb that can be used for a wide variety of complaints.
. . .
- Full page at link above.
Reference: The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook (Tillotson, et.al). Home: http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com and you can also find the book at Amazon.
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Lyme disease can cause you to lose your periods. It did that to me. I just had a few spots or nothing at all. This went on for quite a few years.
It all resolved with good lyme treatment. (My initial 2 years of lyme treatment did not resolve it as it was inadequate. I got new symptoms on the inadequate treatment.)
The lyme disease attacked me gynecologically, among other things. This was only one of the gynecological symptoms it gave me. They all resolved when I got rid of my lyme, babs, and bart.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Thanks Keebler and TF.
It is probably just the Lyme and co's. If I find out it's anything else I'll update.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
You can actually have a "normal" period and be pregnant.
I had a friend who had a regular period and found out she
Was pregnant when she was 5 months along.
Not to alarm you.
No harm in taking an early pregnancy test.
They are pretty accurate up to 5 days prior to a period.
My periods have been erratic.
Mostly heavy on babesia treatment, but not always.
Also all over the place.
When my thyroid decided to start working again and I was still
Taking armour thyroid, my periods became very light.
When my weight dropped to 94lbs (not intentional),
I also had very light periods.
So, there are a number of issues that can cause irregular issues.
Lyme and company most certainly can.
Hang in there.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
H, My cycle has been out of wack off and on my whole life.
When my gyn threw up her arms and suggested birth control pills, I went to my herb books. I'm 45- stroke is too much of a risk, imo.
There is a great book called, "Herbal Healing for Women" by Rosemary Gladstar. It is full of old herbal wisdom for women's bodies and issues. Everything from prepubescent zits to menopuase. She's got it covered.
I don't reference it a lot, but this is one book I'll always have on my shelf.
In it, is a recipe for Hormonal Regulator Tea. I bought all the stinky seeds and roots and barks and followed the regimine for a month or two.
My cycle jumped right back on track!
My personal thoughts are that if you're still bleeding at least a little and on a reasonable cycle, you're probably ok- just stressed.
-------------------- Be Well Posts: 103 | From Out West | Registered: Jan 2009
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I haven't gotten a period in 6 months. Dr H has no explaination for this other than lyme induced. It started when I went on abx too, a few months after.
Posts: 348 | From maryland | Registered: Jul 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Replies for Hossiers on this topic at her follow-up thread:
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Hi Mandy!
Yes, I should have come back and updated this thread.
I thought about it, but was really consumed with other things.
I took a test last night and it was positive.
I took the second test (same brand) today and it was positive as well, but the pregnancy line was darker today.
So it looks like I am indeed pregnant. I will be seeing my OB/GYN as soon as I can get in, so I'll get tested there too I'm sure.
I will probably stop following this tread, but I'll keep following the one about the test being positive that Keebler posted a link to. Thanks Keebler for posting that.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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