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Soy and Hypothalamic Amenorrhea
Dear Anai,
My doctor ran tests and determined that I have hypothalamic amenorrhea. I realise that this means I have low estrogen. Maybe because of low weight (I am 4'10'', 96 lbs, up from 91 lbs).
He suggested that I could gain weight, but he is not sure if that will help. He mentioned clomid and also wants me to do an MRI to check my pituitary gland.
Also could my diet negatively effect something my cycle? My husband and I literally went crazy with the amount of soy products recently, then we read that it has negative effects on the thyroid, pituitary gland and negatively impacts fetuses, so we stopped. Could this have caused the hypothalamic amenorrhea?
Thanks for any help or insight you can give!
Jenny
Dear Jenny,
No, soy products wouldn't cause the disorder, lack of body fat or hormonal imbalances can.
Both the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American Heart Association that a diet that includes 25 grams of soy protein per day may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Soy protein (along with a low-fat diet) can reduce the "bad" cholesterol levels, reduce blood clotting and even decrease arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
According to a report by Messina MJ, Persky V, Setchell KDR, Barnes S. (1994) Nutr Cancer 21:113-31, soy may prevent breast, prostate and colon cancer. Not one valid study has proven that soy increases tumours.
The soy protein can also help with osteoporosis, diabetes and is great for those who are lactose intolerant. Soy is rich in calcium and contains important nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B12 (something vegans don't get enough of).
As for your weight problem, you will need to gain weight before trying to get pregnant. Using Clomid may make you ill, as Clomid causes hot flashes and forces ovulation. If you in fact have a hormonal imbalance due to your low weight, Clomid will only compound the problem.
Get the rest of the tests done and see a qualified nutritionist. If you are vegan, be sure to ask the nutritionist if he/she is vegan friendly before seeing them.
Once you have completed the test and gained weight, see if you are ovulating on your own before reaching for something like Clomid. This particular fertility drug is over-prescribed, and in your case it may just be too harsh to try at this point.
You are not far from normal weight for 4'10", you just need to gain another 10 lbs.
I hope this helps. Thank you for writing,
Anai Rhoads
© Copyright 2004 Anai Rhoads.
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