How to restore menstruation after dieting and weight loss

Menstrual disorders caused by dieting and weight loss can be restored through adjusting dietary structure, supplementing nutrition, psychological counseling, medication treatment, and regular monitoring. Menstrual disorders may be related to factors such as excessive dieting, malnutrition, endocrine disorders, rapid weight loss, psychological stress, etc., usually manifested as symptoms such as amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and reduced menstrual flow.

1. Adjust dietary structure

Gradually increase daily calorie intake to the level required for basal metabolism, increase the proportion of high-quality protein such as eggs and lean meat in the diet, choose whole grains such as oats and brown rice as staple foods, and consume 300-500 grams of fresh vegetables and 200-350 grams of fruits per day. To avoid completely eliminating fat, it is recommended to supplement unsaturated fatty acids in nuts and deep-sea fish in moderation. Dietary recovery should follow a gradual principle, with an increase of 100-150 calories per week in the first two weeks.

2. Supplementing Nutrients

Focus on supplementing iron to prevent anemia, which can be promoted by combining heme iron from animal liver, red meat, and other sources with vitamin C. Ensure a daily intake of at least 60 grams of protein, and if necessary, use compound amino acid injection under the guidance of a doctor. Moderate increase in intake of soy and dairy products to supplement plant estrogen, and those with severe deficiency can take estradiol valerate tablets for a short period of time.

III. Psychological Intervention

Cognitive behavioral therapy corrects misconceptions about weight and establishes the notion that daily weight fluctuations of 0.5-1 kilogram are normal. Improving eating anxiety through mindfulness diet training, it is recommended to keep a diet diary and regularly communicate with a nutritionist. Group therapy can help reduce body comparison behavior, and if necessary, it can be combined with escitalopram oxalate tablets to improve anxiety.

4. Medication assisted [SEP]: Patients diagnosed with hypothalamic amenorrhea can use short-term estrogen and progesterone cycle therapy, such as estradiol tablets/estradiol digestrone tablets in combination packaging. Individuals with thyroid dysfunction need to cooperate with levothyroxine sodium tablets to regulate metabolism. When the risk of osteoporosis is high, calcium carbonate D3 tablets can be supplemented and combined with calcitriol capsules to promote calcium absorption.

Fifth, Medical Monitoring

Measure the monthly weight gain rate and control it within 1-1.5 kilograms, using a body fat scale to monitor changes in body fat percentage. Recheck six levels of sex hormones and thyroid function every three months, and observe endometrial thickness using gynecological ultrasound. Persistent amenorrhea lasting more than 6 months requires bone density examination, and adolescent patients should pay close attention to bone development. During the recovery period, it is necessary to maintain 7-8 hours of sleep per day and avoid vigorous exercise at night. After the recovery of menstruation, it is still necessary to maintain a balanced diet for more than six months and control the weekly exercise volume to 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise. It is recommended to record the menstrual cycle on a monthly basis, and if it does not return to normal within 3 cycles, timely follow-up visits are necessary. In daily life, it is advisable to consume foods with high levels of phytoestrogens such as kudzu root powder and flaxseed in moderation, and avoid controlling weight through special dietary patterns such as ketogenic diets.