vegetarianism and missing periods

[phuzzydee.livejournal.com]

since i stopped eating meat (for the most part) in april my periods have been really irregular.

i was on birth control for a little while, but then i stopped taking it, and the only time i have gotten a period since then was after i ate steak.

i was wondering if anyone else was vegetarian and knew what type of vitamins i need to be taking, or what i can eat as a healthy alternative to meat to keep my period semi-regular.


also, should i try one of the period inducing remedies listed in the memories (parsley tea, etc) or should i just start on vitamin supplements and let it come when it comes?

thanks in advance for your help.

Comments

[nelsolidarida.livejournal.com]

I've been a vegetarian since before puberty and have never missed a period. But if you think this is where the problem lies, i'd suggest upping the iron content of your diet. You could take supplements, but have to be a bit careful with these. The best foods for iron are green leafy vegetables (kale etc), nuts, pulses/beans and yeast products (yeast extract, nutritional yeast flakes etc).
Also, have you lost weight since dropping meat? That might be a factor too. In which case you need to get your weight up again.

[scamper-it-up.livejournal.com]

yep, everything she said. i've been a vegetarian for two years and haven't missed a period....definitely get your iron levels up!

[ourika.livejournal.com]

If you’re sure that it’s dietary (I’m a vegetarian and have regular periods, but I do become irregular when I’m stressed, etc.), then iron is one thing that comes to mind. But also, it could just be a general nutritional problem. The foods listed for iron are all great (and leafy greens are also great calcium sources!), but you may want to do some reading about how to eat on a vegetarian diet. It isn’t as hard as it seems, but if you were (like me) raised on a high meat/fat diet, you may not have learned all the ins and outs of how to get all the yummy goodness from wheats and vegetables and beans and tofus and things like that. Yummy!!!! I still haven’t learned all the ins and outs, and I went vegetarian about 10 years ago, but I’m still enjoying everything I learn!

[lizdefiance.livejournal.com]

if you're going to try to get your iron up, be sure to consume more vitamin C, too. it helps with iron absorption.

sometimes when your body goes through changes in lifestyle, stress, diet, exercise regiment, your period gets a little screwy for a while. that could be related.

i would suggest working on your nutrition and letting your period come naturally. there's no need to bring it on with herbs.

vitamin supplements are no substitute for a good healthy diet!! if you can improve that, it'd be the best way to go.

i'm vegan and i don't take any vitamins or anything. you can get everything you need through whole plant sources.

good luck!

[calming.livejournal.com]

I've been a vegetarian for many many many years...and I've never had a problem with my period. I think other people already covered what is good advice..

I find that not eating dairy/egg products also helps my period out, so I usually cut those out during my period.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Here's a scary thought: maybe your body is just getting used to being free of all the various weird estrogen hormones that are injected into meat-cows to make them grow and mature faster. Of course it's probably just the iron, but it doesn't hurt to consider the possibilities. Eat plenty of spinach. Popeye wasn't kidding, it's really good for you!

[balmofgilead.livejournal.com]

i think split peas also have a good amount of iron in them. if you're not a fan of the green ones, the yellow kind are more mild and don't look like green slime :)

you can make a fairly decent soup with just sauteed onions, carrots, celery, and split peas. takes ages to cook, though.

[kelism.livejournal.com]

I've been a vegetarian for years and haven't had a problem/been that irregular. I also do not take any supliments (including iron) and haven't had any problems. How long ago did you come off of the birth control? Is it possible that you're still getting that out of your system? (I don't know, I've never been on it)

Personally, I always would rather just wait and let it come when it comes. You could always go see a doctor if you're worried.

How much do you weigh? Has it changed lately?

[dichotomise.livejournal.com]

Just adding to the statistic...

I had my first period when I was 11, went veg at 14, and didn't experience any difference in regularity.

You could always go on birth control to get more regular...