Hey... forgive me, I know there are a ton of TOM questions on here... but I am trying to decide whether to be concerned or not...

I just ended my last period on Oct. 21. Since being on Atkins it has changed slightly but no big deal. However, for the last four days I have had pretty light spotting that has remained steady. This never happens! So can someone tell me whether I should be worried?

P.S. I am not on the pill or anything like that, not sexually active, etc. and I am 23 years old.

Your fat cells also carry estrogen. When the fat cells are shrinking, think about how confused the estrogen will get! So, we have early menses while the estrogen gets it's act back together.
This can happen more than once. I started this WOE back in July and had a strange month. Then, last month, my period was 10 days early. So, you never know!
HTH!

I don't think this is anything to worry about. I'm on the pill, which is supposed to make you regular, but since starting low-carb TOM has been ridiculously unpredictable. Longer and heavier than usual too, which is no fun. I've been low-carbing for more than 5 months, and my cycle is still all messed up.

Like I said, this is such a common occurance among female low-carbers that I don't think you need to worry. If it would make you feel better though, go ahead and call your gyno.

My TOM is all screwed up... has been late by a week or more.. and then so early... and the cramps are not good either....

I have never had spotting.. I am also 23.... I think if you are worried about it... stress plays a big role on how your body reacts as well..

If it continues a day or two more... I would call my doctor...

I was actually going to post the same question today - just hadn't had time! But I have been spotting for the last three days - now I know I can contribute it to this WOE.

Thanks All.

FWIW, here is my experience with LC and menses:

I started Atkins in March, and did it by the book (except that I refused to quit coffee or booze, but I did cut down on both). In April, I had a slightly heavier than normal cycle, but the cramping was much less than usual. In May, I had very heavy midcycle spotting, almost like a mini-period. I have always had a little ovulation spotting but this was at least 30% more than usual. I skipped my period in June and instead, had spotting for almost the whole month, and the spotting was really severe whenever I exercised heavily (weights or cardio). In July, my period came as usual (cycle was just as if I'd had the period in June)...but I continued to have the bad spotting with exercise. I also had horrendous PMS, felt like I was going mad, and then when the period finally came, I had absolutely excruciating cramps which actually sent me to bed for an entire day, for the first time in my life. The flow was of flooding proportions and lasted almost a week. Painkillers were useless. August, September and October repeated this pattern but with less spotting, less flow less PMS and less pain each time. The cycle that just ended last week is, I would say, back to Normal after five months of weirdness. The usual midcycle spotting and nothing outside of the ovulation time; the usual cramping and the usual flow for the usual amount of days. I am pretty confident that all of this was due to estrogen overload from my body breaking down 35 pounds of fat (so far!). I think my hormones have adjusted now, and I don't expect further problems.

hth

Emily

My TOM is all messed up too. I've been spotting a few days before TOM arrives (which I never did before) and it lasts about 4 days longer then it used to and I have cramps now, when I never did before.

I had to make an appointment with my GYN, so I figured I ask him about it while I had the office on the phone - he said not to worry - it sounded like a side affect of my weight loss and this WOE and not a big deal and of course my exam scheduled for 3 weeks will probably confirm that everything is okay.

If you have worries, it never hurts to give your GYN a call.

I started in April 03, in July my dr. changed my PILL. Last week was my 3rd week of TOM - he's scheduling a DNC! I just thought he would change my pill again.