The female body is a finely calibrated machine that works to bear children by the release and withholding of hormones. Since the menstrual cycle is triggered by the timing and amount of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body, any substance that interferes with that balance could also interfere with the cycle. Dietary changes, stress and a lack of sleep can all affect the menstrual cycle and so can taking diet pills. If you have missed a period and are sexually active, see your health care provider for a pregnancy test.
Stimulants
Some diet pills can cause irregular periods because they contain caffeine or other stimulants such as ephedra and synephrine. Stimulants, similar to stress can cause the body to produce more cortisol, explains OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner Marcelle Pick, and cortisol regulates the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Use of diet pills can cause your period to occur sooner than 24 days or later than 35 days.
Orlistat
Although bowel changes are the most prevelant side effect for these diet drugs, both Orlistat and Xenical can cause menstrual irregularities. Information at Drugs.com reports that 10 percent of women who take the over the counter form of the medication experience menstrual irregularities. However, if you experience menstrual irregularities due to polycystic ovarian syndrome a study published in "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism" reports that orlistat may help to regulate periods.
Indirect Effect
Estrogen is stored in the body's fat cells, so losing fat will change the amount of estrogen you have available. Many overweight and obese women have heavy periods, light periods or missed periods because of the amount of fat in their bodies. Using diet pills and supplements to lose weight will change those amounts and cause menstrual changes. Usually though, a weight loss diet rich in vitamins and a healthy mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, with or without the help of diet pills, will bring a woman's menstrual cycle back into rhythm.
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