Ketosis & A Missed Menstrual Cycle

There are many reasons why a woman may miss a menstrual period, most of which are harmless. But in the presence of a condition called ketosis, a missed menstrual cycle can be a sign of a more serious problem. If you are intentionally inducing ketosis with a low-carb diet, a missed period may mean you have gone too far. Speak with a medical professional right away.

Ketosis

A healthy body gets energy from the food you eat. If the body is deprived of dietary carbohydrates, however, it turns to burning its built-in energy stores -- glycogen and fat. The breakdown of fat tissues causes small carbon fragments called ketones to be released into the blood. The resulting excess of ketones in the blood is called ketosis. Signs of ketosis include rapid weight loss and fruity-smelling breath caused by the body's attempts to breathe the ketones out. While many people are happy about the quick weight loss, ketosis can cause long-term liver and kidney damage.

Reasons for a Missed Period

The most common reason for a missed period, or amenorrhea, is pregnancy. Ketosis is an unsafe condition for pregnant women and their fetuses, so if you think you may be pregnant and are in ketosis, see a doctor immediately. Other reasons for missed periods are menopause, breast-feeding, some medications and contraceptives, stress, hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems and excessive weight loss. Since ketosis induces weight loss, it may be the reason for your missed period. This is a sign that you have lost too much weight too quickly. See your doctor right away, since only he can diagnose the reason for your missed period.

Ketogenic Diets

Ketogenic diets are high-fat and low in protein and carbohydrates. Such diets, when strictly followed, lead to ketosis. Hospitals such as Stanford Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University offer medically supervised ketogenic diets as a treatment for epilepsy. The results are promising but unreliable: A Johns Hopkins study published by the institution in 2008 showed that seizures were reduced by 50 percent for about 50 percent of subjects. Many people use unsupervised ketogenic diets for weight loss. These diets offer quick but often temporary results, and are associated with such negative side effects as kidney stones, cognitive problems, osteoporosis, constipation and cholesterol problems.

Anorexia Nervosa

Ketosis and the absence of menstrual periods may also be symptoms of the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, in which the body enters a state of starvation due to obsessive dieting. Ketosis may interfere with appetite, and can either lead to or be caused by anorexic behavior. Other signs of anorexia include brittle hair and nails, dry skin, low blood pressure, dehydration and the growth of soft hair over the body. Over time, anorexia can lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis, heart problems, anemia and even death. If you think you may have this dangerous condition, please see a doctor or trusted therapist right away.