다이어트 기초·원인 이해
Q. My period becomes irregular whenever I take diet pills. Does this have anything to do with my weight loss progress?
A.
Irregular menstruation during a diet is a critical warning sign. Excessive dieting or medication disrupts hormonal balance, causing a sharp drop in your basal metabolic rate. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is diagnosed as Blood Deficiency (血虛), a state where the body lacks sufficient nutrients and vital fluids. To survive, the body lowers its metabolism and clings to fat, meaning that once your cycle is disrupted, your weight loss efficiency drops significantly.
📝 Detailed Answer
It is completely understandable to feel frustrated when your body doesn't cooperate despite your efforts. Many patients experience a complete cessation or irregularity of their cycles after using strong appetite suppressants or injections. In Western medicine, this happens because the hypothalamus perceives extreme nutritional deficiency as a survival crisis and halts sex hormone production. TKM views this as Blood Deficiency (血虛) and a decline in the function of the Chong and Ren meridians (衝任脈), the vital pathways governing female reproductive health. When the body's 'clean blood' and essence are depleted, it shuts down non-essential functions like reproduction to conserve energy. This triggers a survival mode where your basal metabolic rate bottoms out, leading to a frustrating plateau where weight won't budge even if you starve. Furthermore, the accumulation of metabolic waste known as Phlegm-fluid (痰飮) and stagnant Blood Stasis (瘀血) in the lower abdomen further impairs uterine circulation. Ultimately, an irregular period is a red flag that your metabolic engine is stalling. Instead of pushing your body harder with more medication, you must focus on replenishing Qi and Blood to restore your internal balance and restart your metabolism.
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Expert Verified
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director