r/Marathon_Training • u/MasterpieceNo4734 • 2d ago
Medical Missing period
At the start of last week, I was expecting my period, but it never came. October 10th was the day of my marathon, so I was carb loading throughout the week.
It has been 2 weeks and I still haven’t received my period. I know period trackers aren’t 100% accurate, but I’ve been using this app for almost a decade and it’s never been more than 4-5 days off.
I’m getting concerned because I was in my taper when I was expecting my cycle, so my body hasn’t been under a lot of physical stress and I was carb-loading so I know for a fact I’m not under fueling. And there is 0% chance of pregnancy.
Has anyone experienced this before? What do I do?
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u/mssparklemuffins 2d ago
Happened to me once… and I’m super duper regular. Right around ovulation was a race, so I think the stress from that delayed my cycle - I likely didn’t ovulate. Can you think back around the middle of your cycle and think about any strenuous workouts you did? Or anything else particularly stressful? My cycle ended up 45 days instead of my normal 26-28. I haven’t had an issue since. I would just give it a little more time.
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u/mustang19rasco 2d ago
Pretty normal during high intensity training. Happened to me during my last marathon. Your body probably didn't ovulate due to stresses and what not.
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u/MasterpieceNo4734 1d ago
Did you receive your period back in the following cycle?
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u/mustang19rasco 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yup, just like normal! At the time I was TTC so I was super tracking and everything. My period was supposed to happen the week after my marathon. It never showed up. It actually started the morning of a half marathon I ran 3 weeks later. So that was sort of annoying! But I PR-ed so I didn't mind. My cycle ended up being something like 76 days. Which means my body never ovulated. It just eventually re-set and got back on schedule once my intensity and diet went back to "normal".
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u/Typical_Texpat 1d ago
Hmm, I think it may be worth getting some blood work just to make sure everything is ok. Ask for a ferritin test as well. The results could help you figure out if you were under fueling or if something else was off during training.
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u/Friend_indeed0192 1d ago
Congratulations on your race!
If you are not pregnant and not underweight, it’s worth messaging your GYN about your concern, preferably one familiar with athletes—if only to get an explanation and perhaps reassurance. If you are underweight, you’re probably not meeting nutritional needs and I recommend seeing a RD.
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u/H2Ospecialist 1d ago
You could be experiencing RED-S which should be taken very seriously. You may want to go search over in the xxrunning sub we have a lot more posts and helpful info about missing periods.
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u/GeeRaCeR94 1d ago
Look up Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), it commonly involves a loss of period. It's sign your body is under stress and not getting what it needs. Make sure you are eating enough, especially carbs, before, during and after training.
You can still get your period during marathon training, and many top athletes do, but you need to look after yourself :)
If it is missing for more than 3 cycles, I would try to see a doctor who knows about REDs.
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u/Different_Mistake_90 1d ago
I almost always missed a period after a marathon. (Not long term or during training) I just figured it was due to physical stress. I wouldn’t stress if there’s 0% chance of pregnancy, it’ll likely return next month.
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u/LittleBlag 2d ago
Sometimes you can miss one if you didn’t ovulate. Ovulation would have been due right in your peak week when your body was under a lot of stress I’m guessing, if your period was due in your taper. If you are absolutely sure you can’t be pregnant (like it would be a baby Jesus type deal) then I wouldn’t worry. Bodies are just weird like that sometimes! If you miss another one maybe see a doctor.
Obviously if you’ve had hetero sex in the last month you need to consider that pregnancy could be possible even if you used birth control/he pulled out/he’s had a vasectomy/any other reason. Tests are cheap, it’s worth checking.