Healthy BMI - but gain weight to ovulate?

jxmckenzie

Hello! Another story here and curious to get feedback on specific question about weight gain/body fat %.

Long story short, I’m 33, I stopped taking the pill 9 months ago and never got a period. Through many tests, I can confirm:

• No PCOS
• Healthy hormone levels
• Healthy blood labs
• Normal egg production
• Healthy lifestyle, BMI of 20
• Very very thin uterine lining
• No follicle production

In terms of treatment thus far:

• 2 rounds of Letrozole, no response
• 2 rounds of Clomid, no response

The next thing to try is injectables – which I’m not sure is right for me quite yet.

In the meantime, I had my annual physical wherein I told my GP about my fertility issues. She asked if my body composition had changed dramatically since before I was on the pill (and presumably did ovulate as I had normal periods).

The answer to that is yes. In the 13 years I was on the pill, I became an avid runner and fitness enthusiast. I workout pretty hard and eat a ton, so I’m not underweight. I have always been fairly lean, but I am much more muscular than I was back when I was 20. My GP suggested I try lightening up the workouts and put on some fat – mentioning that although I’m healthy, it might just not be the right balance of fat/muscle for my body to ovulate.

I asked my fertility doc if she thought this might help. I belabor the point or elaborate on lifestyle as she kind of dismissed it, saying it probably wouldn’t do anything since my BMI and hormones are normal.

So my question is – does anyone have experience with gaining weight to encourage ovulation? Will reducing my workouts and eating a bit more help? I'm totally willing to give it a shot, I just want to be careful with my expectations as this could all be wishful thinking that something so simple could do the trick.

sungirl39

I could have written this post.  My GYN told me the same crap eight yrs ago.  I put on weight and exercised less as suggested and it did nothing to bring my period back.  Clomid was also useless.  Trust your RE not your GP!  I did respond very well well to stims though, in case you decide to go that route. Good luck!

AdorkablePixie

Lurker here.
Hi! I had the same issue except for before seeking help I went a long while without ovulating. I am also a runner and how low body fat. My BMI was just barely normal. I was diagnosed with hypothalamic amenorrhea (it sounds like that’s what you have) and my treatment consisted of injectables, a trigger shot, and IUI. It worked in the first try. 

When we we tried to TTC #2 I couldn’t go through testing or treatments because I was still BFing DS 2 times a day and not ready to give it up. I cut back on my running and gained a couple pounds. I started having cycles again and ended up pregnant my second cycle. This took over a year as I very slowly cut back my running to see at what point I’d start getting a cycle again. I went from running 30 minutes 5 days a week (almost a 5k each time) to running Monday, Wednesday, Friday where I’d walk for like 3 minutes, run for 5, walk a few more, runnfor 5, etc. I hope this helps and good luck with your TTC journey!

jxmckenzie

Thanks so much for the responses!

It is encouraging to hear both of these stories. With a little more research, I have been thinking about injectables. Also great to hear that cutting back on running and adding a little more peanut butter to my day won't hurt.

AdorkablePixie

@jxmckenzie Good luck on your journey!!