Has your diet affected your cycle?

[shadesofgold]

Long story short, I am trying to help my cycle regulate itself after my MC in early March. I tried a cycle on 50 mg of vitamin B6 this last cycle to lengthen a short LP - all it has seemed to do was delay ovulation. I have also read here and elsewhere that good nutrition helps regulate cycles. I am a normal weight and eat pretty okay, but I know I could definitely reduce my intake of sugar, simple carbs (white bread, etc) and alcohol. I think that's what I'll try next cycle. 

I've read (mixed) reviews of The Fertility Diet put out by Harvard researchers. There are also a million articles on the webz about the effects of diet on your period, which seem to mostly be in the homeopathic vein. I'm interested in this community's experiences. I know becwheat had some success with the Whole 30. Have you encountered and/or followed any nutrition advice that seemed to regulate your period? 


Edit: words

[onesweetworld]

One thing that really helped me and I'm sure people will say that it is bullshit but I switched to Organic Milk and that help me regulate my cycle. We also eat locally raised meats.

[hydrangea1019]

I tried B6 supplement but discontinued because I noticed heart palpitations. Whether or not it was caused by the B6 or something else (I was also pretty stressed during that time), I'm not sure, but I discontinued anyway. No heart palpitations since.

I generally fluctuate between doing really well health wise (food and exercise) and doing pretty poorly. I have not seen that it changed my cycle either way.

[blacknyellow]

My luteal phase increased by 2-3 days when I did strict paleo. Its a hard lifestyle for me to sustain at the hospital where I work but eventually I would like to go back to paleo. I felt less bloated, lost a few pounds and generally felt healthier then. The longer luteal phase was an added bonus (I went from 11 to 13 or 14)

[PepperPottsJ]

I was kinda hoping someone might suggest a GKU Whole 30. I have weddings all summer so it would be hard, but I can only imagine positive results!

[shadesofgold]

Jun 1, 2015 20:20:07 GMT -5 PepperPottsJ said:

I was kinda hoping someone might suggest a GKU Whole 30. I have weddings all summer so it would be hard, but I can only imagine positive results!

I don't think I'd go strict Whole 30/paleo, which requires you to cut out dairy, grains and legumes, but I'd definitely do a clean eating challenge! That might be easier to recruit people for, too. Something like this: www.realityofyou.com/30-day-clean-eating-challenge/  What do you think?

[27alex]

Not so much the length of my cycle or when I ovulate, but I find that the healthier I eat, the less symptoms I experience during AF. It's much lighter and I have very few cramps. I especially see a difference when I cut out dairy.

My sister is a nutritionist and she says the best thing you can do when TTC is increase protein and healthy fats, and eat only full fat dairy.

[PepperPottsJ]

Jun 1, 2015 20:56:28 GMT -5 shadesofgold said:

Jun 1, 2015 20:20:07 GMT -5 PepperPottsJ said:

I was kinda hoping someone might suggest a GKU Whole 30. I have weddings all summer so it would be hard, but I can only imagine positive results!

I don't think I'd go strict Whole 30/paleo, which requires you to cut out dairy, grains and legumes, but I'd definitely do a clean eating challenge! That might be easier to recruit people for, too. Something like this: www.realityofyou.com/30-day-clean-eating-challenge/  What do you think?

That sounds wonderful,  and much less daunting to follow!  ...and I wasn't terribly fair,  I have celiacs which cuts out most grains for me,  don't do well with legumes,  and while i love dairy,  I am trying to cut it out for the hormonal benefit.  Corn and wine are always my two biggest issues in clean eating. I do think with a bigger group accountability is so much easier.  Worth polling opinions?  most importantly,  thank you for asking the original question,  I would love to hear other's experiences with nutrition and fertility.  Thanks to everyone who has shared so far!!

[fem]

This is totally anecdotal, but last time TTC I gave up dairy after 12 months of trying everything. I O'd on CD15 (average before that was 23) and got pregnant that cycle.

I do not think giving up dairy was any magic bullet-could have been 100% coincidence. But I don't think it hurts anything to see if it regulates your cycle.

I have tried twice to do a whole30 and failed after a few days. I would love to be a part of a clean eating challenge!

ETA: I was also giving up meat at the time, and part of the reason I was giving up both was to support my mom who decided to follow the 'cancer diet' after breast cancer treatment. 

[becwheat]

For me I believe it was mostly sugar and processed carbs (ie pasta and white breads/wheat.) Anything your body processes as sugars. My doctor suggested that my slightly high sugar was messing with my hormones. Seems to be true. Though this cycle may actually have been to short.. But all in all my body seems to be evening out.

[MrsRC88]

Ever since cutting out carbs (bread, potatoes, sugars, starches, etc...), my cycles have gone from 24-33 days, to 26 or 27 days. It's been like this for the last 8 months. It's regulated my cycles and blood sugar, and I've dropped 40lbs. Now, I haven't conceived yet, but my Dr does like the more consistent cycles.

I can give up bread and pasta- but don't take away my cheese! Full fat cheese is the only thing that has made this lifestyle change worth while.

[shadesofgold]

Jun 1, 2015 21:03:00 GMT -5 PepperPottsJ said:

Jun 1, 2015 20:56:28 GMT -5 shadesofgold said:

I don't think I'd go strict Whole 30/paleo, which requires you to cut out dairy, grains and legumes, but I'd definitely do a clean eating challenge! That might be easier to recruit people for, too. Something like this: www.realityofyou.com/30-day-clean-eating-challenge/  What do you think?

That sounds wonderful,  and much less daunting to follow!  ...and I wasn't terribly fair,  I have celiacs which cuts out most grains for me,  don't do well with legumes,  and while i love dairy,  I am trying to cut it out for the hormonal benefit.  Corn and wine are always my two biggest issues in clean eating. I do think with a bigger group accountability is so much easier.  Worth polling opinions?  most importantly,  thank you for asking the original question,  I would love to hear other's experiences with nutrition and fertility.  Thanks to everyone who has shared so far!!

I will probably do it myself, so it would be great to have the peer support! I think we should give people plenty of time to get used to the idea and prepare with shopping, etc. I personally wouldn't be able to start until June 15 or later because I am going on a weekend trip to California wine country, and I'd be crazy to pretend I wouldn't be drinking wine! 

[kayladawn91]

DH and I started Paleo about 4 weeks ago. My cycles are always all over the place and this one was no exception.

However, I feel better and have lost 10 lbs so I'm happy!

Edit: words

[twocents6708]

Jun 1, 2015 20:20:07 GMT -5 PepperPottsJ said:

I was kinda hoping someone might suggest a GKU Whole 30. I have weddings all summer so it would be hard, but I can only imagine positive results!

I would totally be on board with this. I am trying to get back to clean eating now that grad school is over. If for no other reason than feeling physically better.

[adorebel]

shadesofgold, I'm down! I would love July, since I have a friend visiting in the second half of June, which means I would definitely not follow a diet during her visit, but whatever. There will never be a perfect time for everyone. Also, I love the idea of the site you linked to - I've cut out wheat and dairy in the past and not noticed a difference adding them back in, so I prefer diets that focus on clean eating, rather than foods that irritate some, but not other, people. Finally, I never go on cleanses that don't let you have a glass of red wine a couple of times a week. I mean...come on. Antioxidants and stuff.

[jewel441]

I am in as well

[blacknyellow]

Sign me up for a clean eating challenge!

[shadesofgold]

Jun 2, 2015 6:27:09 GMT -5 adorebel said:

shadesofgold, I'm down! I would love July, since I have a friend visiting in the second half of June, which means I would definitely not follow a diet during her visit, but whatever. There will never be a perfect time for everyone. Also, I love the idea of the site you linked to - I've cut out wheat and dairy in the past and not noticed a difference adding them back in, so I prefer diets that focus on clean eating, rather than foods that irritate some, but not other, people. Finally, I never go on cleanses that don't let you have a glass of red wine a couple of times a week. I mean...come on. Antioxidants and stuff.

What about starting on Sunday, June 22 or Sunday, June 28? That way people can prep for the week ahead? Or is there logic to starting on July 1 even though it is mid-week?

[adorebel]

Jun 2, 2015 9:13:16 GMT -5 shadesofgold said:

Jun 2, 2015 6:27:09 GMT -5 adorebel said:

shadesofgold, I'm down! I would love July, since I have a friend visiting in the second half of June, which means I would definitely not follow a diet during her visit, but whatever. There will never be a perfect time for everyone. Also, I love the idea of the site you linked to - I've cut out wheat and dairy in the past and not noticed a difference adding them back in, so I prefer diets that focus on clean eating, rather than foods that irritate some, but not other, people. Finally, I never go on cleanses that don't let you have a glass of red wine a couple of times a week. I mean...come on. Antioxidants and stuff.

What about starting on Sunday, June 22 or Sunday, June 28? That way people can prep for the week ahead? Or is there logic to starting on July 1 even though it is mid-week?

June 28 would be perfect for me! I don't want to hold you all back if you want to start on the 22nd though!

[shadesofgold]

Jun 2, 2015 9:16:13 GMT -5 starbuck27 said:

Jun 2, 2015 9:15:08 GMT -5 adorebel said:

June 28 would be perfect for me! I don't want to hold you all back if you want to start on the 22nd though!

I feel like July 5th is a great day to start...

Ha! You're probably right. But that seems so far away! Maybe we can give people a heads up now, people can sort of start to prepare themselves over the month and use July 4 as their big blow out?

[LovesMeSomeCake]

Jun 2, 2015 9:16:13 GMT -5 starbuck27 said:

Jun 2, 2015 9:15:08 GMT -5 adorebel said:

June 28 would be perfect for me! I don't want to hold you all back if you want to start on the 22nd though!

I feel like July 5th is a great day to start...

YES

[anonymouseliza]

Lurking, but yes, diet absolutely affected my cycle. For me, it had to do with weight loss, which may not be the issue for you, but cycles in which I ate well (more fruit/veg, cut out sugar and sugar substitutes and gluten-containing carbs and alcohol) I was totally normal. Cycles I didn't - long/irregular.

I think diet plays a much bigger role that we realize in basic health and body functioning.

[Sammich_Cat]

I have no proof, but I think if I'm eating too much sugar it may make my cycle longer. From OPKs and CM it looks like my body tries to ovulate around CD16 normally, but if my eating is poor it fails and tries again later. Just a theory though.

[goldenlove3]

I was strict Paleo for almost a year and ended up losing weight and felt great. I was on birth control at that time though so don't know how it affected my cycle. Once we started TTC, we weren't as strict about Paleo (maybe 50-75% of the time). My cycles definitely got wonky but I always attributed it to work stress. Maybe it was my diet. My cycles have gotten much more predictable now but I don't know if it's diet, acupuncture, less work stress, or what. Whatever it is, I hope it results in a BFP.

[dovahfel]

My irregular cycles are from PCOS (and therefore, insulin resistance) so I did a low GI diet and that popped things back pretty well. I've also seen some weight loss. It's really hard to maintain though, so I keep falling off the wagon *sips beer* . I'm hoping to get back on for summer. Dieting is easier when I'm not working.

I also found a lot of luck with an herb called fenugreek. I got some capsules at my local food co-op. I read that it can help regulate blood sugar. I can't say it works for everyone, and I don't recommend it without talking to your doctor first, but since I started taking 2 capsules at night before bed, I have had exceptionally regular cycles and ZERO spotting. (I spot 3 out of the 5 weeks of my cycle. SUCKS)