Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
This is one of those questions that is probably up there in the “five most frequently asked questions hcgchica gets”.
So I thought hey a BLOGPOST is in order! Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Maybe because it’s about….a woman’s PERIOD!
Gasp! There I said it. Look both ways- is anyone listening? Hush now, this could be considered a kind of TMI type of subject. Perhaps in our effort to make it seem less icky, in the hCG diet community we call it “TOM” aka Time of Month, but really it’s just your menstrual cycle or period.
Whatever the case, it’s important to discuss all these topics because they really do matter. It’s like when you go into labor- do you start worrying about the hospital gown being open in the back? Nope! You just want to get that baby out and have everything turn out alright! At least that’s how I felt.
This is really no different, because just like having a baby, doing the hCG diet plan and doing it right can literally change your life.
As always, when I answer a question like this I try to just present to you the different factors to consider, so that you can make the best decision in your situation.
Why Did Dr. Simeons Recommend Starting the hCG Diet After a Woman’s Period Ended?
I don’t know honestly. He didn’t really say and sadly he’s not around to ask. But I’m not going to leave you hanging.
2 Reasons To Consider Starting hCG Right After Your Period
There are 2 reasons why I see wisdom in following this advice when possible.
1. Save All the PMS Symptoms For When You’re Already USED to the Strictness of the hCG Diet
I think we ALL agree that the whole pms thing is almost always accompanied by cravings, more hunger than normal, weight gain/water retention, grouchy or weepy/emotional mood swings, etc right? Husbands tend to lay low or grin and bear it till it’s over.
Being on hCG does not make you immune to those same PMS symptoms- in fact, sometimes they might even be worse. Because there’s no chocolate to comfort you.
You can experience cravings for what you might normally indulge in when you’re pmsing, which I’m pretty sure isn’t 100 grams of chicken or 1/2 a grapefruit.
Concsiously knowing that being on TOM during hCG will be a difficult time, I feel it may be easier to get through if you save it for when you’re vlcd-adapted. Meaning you’ve already gone through whatever carb withdrawals you might experience the first several days of the diet, you’ve gotten into a groove with your meals, it’s been awhile since your last hot dog so you’re no longer thinking about it every hour, and you’ve adjusted to this different temporary “lifestyle.”
2. You can retain water on the hCG diet and not lose weight for a few days or even GAIN.
While you can never really expect weight loss every stinking day on hCG anyways, despite claims (see my article on the #1 reason for stalls on the hCG Diet), PMS and your menstrual cycle is one factor that often causes a temporary stall in weight loss on hCG.
The number one thing that people expect out of hCG in return for following it’s strict rules and resulting mental suffering are good results. When you’re weight loss is stalling for a few days or gasp, even goes UP, while you are eating just 500 calories a day, and then on top of that you feel like ALL you want in the world is a huge piece of chocolate cake and all you can have is cucumber with salt, well, you can see where this is going right?
Frustration, disappointment, discouragement, your whole body just crying out to quit.
These are the types of feeling and emotions that you might experience if you were to time your hCG round so that your period (or TOM) came during the first week or two of hCG.
It’s honestly never going to feel EASY experiencing all this, but there are certainly times it will be easier than others, so choosing those times is smart.
What If You Ain’t No Newbie to hCG?
Not even just for newbies, each time one of us starts a new round of hCG, I feel that there is an adjustment period where you re-acclimate to the diet. You have a fresh reminder in your head as you go through those first days that yes, this protocol is NOT easy, yet it is so worth it because you are losing so well.
My basic feeling is that experiencing any of this towards the beginning of an hCG journey, only 1-2 weeks in, could cause a higher “failure” rate at sticking to the protocol.
It takes awhile to adjust to hCG each round (for me anyway) and it starts to feel easier after awhile, and that’s when I feel it’s best to deal with PMS- once you’re already in the groove of P2- less likely to cheat or give up when you see the scale stop for a few days or start wishing for chocolate cake- if you experience that 1 week into hCG I think it’s a lot easier to give up.
When You Might Consider Starting hCG At a Different Time
Because of everything discussed above, I think IDEALLY you want to start hCG after your period ends.
But there are also lots of other things going on in life that can also create problems for being on hCG successfully – like family get togethers and vacations.
So in cases like these where you’re looking at your calendar and trying to see where hCG fits in best, you basically want to pick the slot of time that you will have to go through the LEAST temptations.
So if it comes down to a choice of doing your round of hCG while on a 10 vacation to disney world with the fam or starting hCG a few days before your period starts, well, probably the latter will end being the lesser-challenging time.
Remember – pick the LEAST challenging time to do your round of hCG. This is important. More on that topic here: Plan Your Round of HCG in Advance
Now it’s your turn – what has been your own personal experience, good or bad, with the hCG Diet and TOM?
Want Motivation?
37,000+ hCGers Join
hcgChica's
Email Tribe
how-to's | interviews | pep talks
Yup, I want this!
Hey I absolutely love your vlogs, super helpful!! I’m on day 11 of my low cal and TOM is never on time for me even when I try to track it, been expecting it for the past 4 days and got it this afternoon after I’ve already taken my HCG, because I was planning on not taking it for 1-2 days since TOM is only around for 3-5 days anyways. Just wondering if this or how this could effect me in any way? Since HCG is a normal and I think I already have a hormonal imbalance? But I’m used to the diet enough that I don’t have cravings at least or didn’t even get cramps just very moody(way more than normal).
**Since HCG is a hormone** (not normal).
Hi hcg Chicka. I watched your video on hcg and “Tom” aka a women’s period. The actual reason a woman is not to continue hcg injections or drops during her menstrual cycle, is due to the high level of progesterone in a woman’s body during her cycle prevents hCG from isolating fat reduction. Just wanted to share the knowledge. Thank you.
Actuallu, progesterone levels dropping is what causes a menstral cycle so they are low during actual menstruation and highest on around day 20 of the menstral cycle if you have a 28 day cycle. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MenstrualCycle2.png
I am doing the 2 month program and was scheduled to do a skip day this weekend, but I just had my period earlier this week and skipped injections on the heaviest flow days. Do I still need to skip again or should I wait to skip next weekend instead?
Hi there,
This is Li-an, Rayzel’s assistant. Nice to meet you! I would suggest leaving the skip for next weekend. Good luck!
Hello,
Enjoying reading your information. I’m 49 and was told I was in menopause. However, I started Phase 2 on March 26 and started having TOM two weeks later. I hadn’t had a cycle in over a year. I have lost over 21 lbs. since starting. The problem is my cycle does not seem to want to make end. I am still taking the daily homeopathic drops. Any suggestions?
Hi Sonja!
This is Cristel, Rayzel’s assistant. Nice to meet you! 🙂
What Rayzel hears with hCG is that sometimes does strange things with a woman’s period and for menopausal women, She has had occasional reports of spotting and such. She hasn’t had anyone say that their period came back as in regularly from hCG though. Once they are off hCG, their cycle goes back to normal, whatever that was.
Hope that helps!
Cristel
I take an oral monophonic birth control pill. I do not often skip the period week but many people suggest starting a new pack of pills at week four instead of taking the week of sugar pills. This prevents a period. Should I do this during my HCg weeks?
Monophasic I meant, sorry for the auto correct
I apologize I don’t know the answer to this Su.
This is my 4th round of HCG over the last 6 years, no newbie here. I always start injecting at the end of my tom. This time although I am loosing weight rapidly I have very heavy bleeding that’s gone on for over a week now. I have skipped the last 3 days of injections but no change. In your opinion should I start taking them again or wait for this to subside? I have about 10 shots left. Thanks so much for your help!
Hey there Natalie!
Wow girl, I’m not sure – it does sound like it’s best to wait until the bleeding goes away, that’s odd. Are you by any chance on a different dosage than you have been on in the past rounds?
Do I stop injections while I have my period?
Hi Heidi!
This is Cristel, Rayzel`s assistant. Nice to meet you! 🙂
What Rayzel does is she skip only 1-2 days on her heaviest flow days- She felt too nervous to skip longer than that! Some continue injecting through their period, others stop for the full duration. Skipping 1-2 days of heaviest flow is a reasonable approach. You do continue the 500 while on TOM without hCG. The idea is that your body actually produces a small amount of hCG while on your period – so in effect it’s like your body is providing you your daily hCG dose for those days and potentially taking your injection also could be too much hCG in effect causing hunger. That’s the idea anyway.
Hope that helps!
Cristel
Hello HCG Chica, I just started my First round on HCG and I’m on Load Day 2.. I did not gain any weight and did load. Do I need to do 3 Load days?
I also started my TOM on day 2 of my load day. I never keep track of that. Do I stop taking HCG while on Tom? I don’t have cravings or bad PMS. I do not have heath issues.
Hi Lulu!
This is Li-an, Rayzel’s assistant. Nice to meet you 🙂
It is not required that you gain weight for a loading to be considered successful. Rayzel’s post here discusses the instances when she felt loading day 3 would be necessary: http://hcgchica.com/should-you-load-3-days-on-the-hcg-diet/
Re: the TOM, what Rayzel does is she skip only 1-2 days on her heaviest flow days- She felt too nervous to skip longer than that! Some continue injecting through their period, others stop for the full duration.
Hope this helps you somehow!
Hello HCG Chica. Quick question. I am on my last day/days of my period very light. Can I start phase 2 injections or do I have to wait until its completely finished no more spotting? I want to start already ):
Hi Jessica!
It’s okay to start when your period is almost finished. You’ll only be loading so it’s okay.
Hope that helps!
Question- been on p2 for 3 weeks. Had TOM and didn’t use injections for 3 days. Now Tom is over and I started injection again. (Just 1) * Do I need to re load ? Can I ? Or just stay to the 500 cal protocol until it’s time for p3? Thanks !
Hi Elise!
This is Lucelle, Rayzel’s assistant. Nice to meet you! 🙂
You don’t need to re-load, you will just continue doing P2 during and after your period until P3.
Hope that helps!
Hi! Hope you can help with some info I can´t find anywhere.
I’m on a 23 day cycle, this is my R1P2 day 12 and TOM is about to get here; I´m planning to stop the injections for the first two days and my question is, after I resume the injections should I continue on them until I do the 23 injections or I can stop at 21 since it will have done 23 VLCD days already?
Regards,
Karla.
Hi Karla!
You can do either 23 injection days + 2 non injection days or stop at 23 VLCD. Rayzel’s specific post on # of injections and days here:
http://hcgchica.com/proper-length-time-hcg-diet-rounds/
Hope that helps!
I usually gain a bit of weight during my period and thats because of water retention. Once the period stops, I will go back to my normal weight. If I were to stop taking the shots during my period and continue the VLCD, will I lose or gain any weight after the period stops?
Hi Shamsul!
What Rayzel does is she skips only 1-2 days on her heaviest flow days- She felt too nervous to skip longer than that! Some continue injecting through their period, others stop for the full duration. Skipping 1-2 days of heaviest flow is a reasonable approach. You do continue the 500 while on TOM without hCG. The idea is that your body actually produces a small amount of hCG while on your period – so in effect it’s like your body is providing you your daily hCG dose for those days and potentially taking your injection also could be too much hCG in effect causing hunger. So you will still lose weight. That’s the idea anyway.
-Lucelle
Love your blog!
This is my first time trying HGC. I read though all the material and somehow missed the part about not taking hcg on heaviest flow days.
So…I woke up yesterday ready to begin Day 1 – loading – and had started my TOM. I went ahead and did the injection and ate as directed for a load day. I did my injection this morning and then found the info on not taking HCG on cycle. Any advice? (Loading days on cycle is easy!)
Hi Patti!
That’s okay. We had received some emails of starting the injections and then period started, they did okay.
-Lucelle
My period actually started the first day of my low calorie diet (phase 2). A) I didn’t realise it was coming, B) I HAD to start it that day to ensure I could enjoy my 2 Hens days (no diet) in coming weeks! I have lost 3kg in 8 days. So I’m happy. But from Day 3-7 my weight was the same. So I dropped 1kg overnight last night. My question is, now that the weight has dropped again, will I expect further drops if I stick to the diet religiously? I wonder whether the stagnation of weight from days 3-7 was due to the period. Thanks xx
Hi Cy!
That may be the case. You might be retaining water because of your period.
First of all I love your website so informative! My question is for those taking birth control pills. Has anyone skipped their period (by not taking sugar pills and continuing active pills) and started HCG and if they had any issues?
I wanted to start R2 tomorrow but just got TOM today 🙁 should I go on and take my morning injection and start loading or should I just wait till TOM is over?
Hi Doris! Rayzel thinks it’s totally okay- she thinks mostly the reason the Doc said to not do injections on period is because your body actually produces hCG when you’re menstruating- so she thinks he figured it was kind of like your dose of hCG for the day right from your own body- but honestly, very few people notice a big difference in hunger even if they do inject on period days (Rayzel only skip 1 day herself) and you’ll be loading anyway so it won’t matter! so….go for it! Yay!
-Lucelle
Hi! I am on day 12 of HCG injections. Expected my period on day 8, but am never strictly a 28 day cycle and wanted to get started. My intention was to do 21 day cycle since I don’t have a bunch to lose. Lost 12 lbs in 10 days, but no period. The last two days I have gained 2 lbs which I contribute to pending TOM. What do I do? Stop the injection until my period comes and then restart after the heavy days? Or do I just keep injecting and wait? I feel like I’m retaining a great deal of water and those pounds will come back off once I start. Thanks in advance, Stacey
Hi Stacey!
Sorry for the late reply. How are you doing? What Rayzel does is she skip only 1-2 days on her heaviest flow days- She felt too nervous to skip longer than that! Some continue injecting through their period, others stop for the full duration. Skipping 1-2 days of heaviest flow is a reasonable approach.
Lucelle
I started my hcg days before my period. Im already on my 1st week and supposed to be my period will start 3 days ago. Does hcg do this? Thank you
Hey @Liz yes I do hear of hCG sometimes making funny things happen with women’s periods, and it seems to stop once hCG is stopped. I don’t know why exactly and it doesn’t happen to everyone, but yes I do hear of this fair often where the timing of a woman’s period changes, or is longer or shorter than usual.
I got my TOM on day 21 of the injections. I was planning on stopping at day 23 of injections just because I have been loosing my momentum and wanted to get into P3 the right way. This is my 4th round. Round 3 didn’t end as well as I kept dragging it on as I wanted to loose those “last 5 lbs” and didn’t stabilize my weight like I did for my 1st and 2nd rounds. But now I’m not sure what to do? I’ve been off the shots for 2 day while TOM is here and after reading everything, I’m not sure whether to stick to phase 2 for a few more days or just go to phase 3. Btw- I’ve also gained 2.2 lbs in last 2 days. So of course, I want to get those off.
I am on day 3 of the VLCD. I am scheduled to have a visit from TOM tomorrow. I have lost 7.3 lbs since before loading. I forgot to weight after loading. I decided to go ahead because I am going out of town in a month. Day 1 was allot of hunger, even though I thought I loaded allot. Day 2 was not bad, but today, Day 3, my stomach will not stop growling. I am hoping that maybe after Day 5, the hunger will subside some. Watching 7.3 lbs come off in just 2 VLCD days is motivating, even with PMS, so I am glad I started it early. I have been craving additional protein, and I may have to give in a little with that, but all in all, it seems to be working.
Thanks for the info!
Very interesting experience to add…
I woke up this morning feeling like I had a hangover. Seriously. I had a headache, a bit dizzy, and my stomach was uneasy. I thought it was because the day prior I ate only 380 calories and was active in the evening cleaning and up and down stairs.
In the morning I splurged and had half a cup of blueberries AND a melba toast (I know, such a splurge!) and lots of water. It wasn’t until about 11am when I had a green apple that I started feeling better. Then when I went home for lunch I realized my TOM had arrived! (Light bulb goes off).
My TOMs tend to be super light as I am on an IUD, so I won’t bother to stop. However, I feel much more peace of mind now that there is a likely culprit. As for weight loss, I lost over a lb last night so I think I was retaining water the few days prior. This puts me in P2 day 7 with a total weight loss of 6.2lbs on the first day of my TOM (starting weight 150lbs). I don’t notice my period being any different than usual. If it does turn heavy (which would be unusual) I will stop taking the injections immediately.
I realize everyone’s bodes are different and reactions are different but thought I would share mine in case it is useful to anyone.
should I do a longer phase 2? Should I just keep taking the shots?
I’m so frustrated today! I only have 5 more days to go and after stalling for 4 days I did an apple day. I lost 2 lbs but then the next day I gained a pound and now today 2 more pounds!!! I did start my period yesterday. Is this why??
Also should I go a few more days on the shot to get to my goal? After the apple day, I was 3 lbs away from my goal. Now I’m 6 lbs away from my goal and only 5 days left on the 3 week plan.
Please help!
Awww thanks a bunch @MekaNum1 Gyrl for the love! 🙂
I am SO glad I found your blog!!!!!! I started P1 on Monday, but by the end of day 2 on P1, I got Tom. I decided that I would continue to keep taking the drops. My first day of P2 was Wednesday. I weighed myself this morning and am down 5 lbs. As happy as I am with the results, I am concerned about having a heavier and longer flow as I am already under that category. I read previously that you recommend not take HCG for 1-2 days on the heavy days. My question is what do you recommend for someone who unfortunately has 5 straight heavy days and then it just goes away all together, stop while I have it? I’m on day 4 of my period. Should I take a break from the drops but stay on the 500 cal diet and try again with the drops on Monday? Any advice is greatly appreciated! 🙂 Have a great day!
I lost 1.2 yesterday and now Tom arrived this morning and I am up .8. Should I just not weigh myself until this is over? Its so frustrating to see a gain
I completed two rounds of hcg shots last spring/summer. I noticed my periods were shorter while on HCG and I just stopped shots on two heaviest days which was day 2 and day 3 for me. I had usually already had injection the morning of day one when my period (aunt) showed up. I did struggle with more hunger on those two days but was able to power through them by drinking more water. This helped fill my stomach to help with hunger pains and help with the bloating. The weight loss would stall for a couple of days but then would see higher than normal losses towards the end of the cycle for a similar net loss of 6 lbs a week. After a VERY stressful job change and back injury requiring steroid shots, my weight started to climb around December. I tried the traditional “diet and exercise” for 3 months with NO results. I finally decided to go back to HCG and now are P2 day 5 with a total of 7 lbs lost! I was so successful with my first two rounds last year with over 60 lbs lost, I am confident this diet works for me and my very crazy schedule. I am already looking forward to getting back to my size 4 jeans again ☺️
hi Jess I went for the same road you have been… great lost on hcg, job struggles and spine injury, start gaining weight so fast, now ordering my supplies to go back on shape with hcg..it works
Have you heard of people not getting their period while on the hcg shots?
I totally missed my TOM and started major stall that I couldnt break for the life of me. I stayed strict on protocol with lots of water and no cheats. Nothing worked for the 3 weeks I toughed it out for. Although I did lose 14lbs I ended up just giving up all together ?
I am on Round 2, P2 day 4, I lost 5 pounds yesterday but today I’m up 2 pounds. I haven’t cheated that I know of. I had cabbage last night cooked in Coconut Oil. Do you think that had something to do with the weight gain?
Just a guess but the coconut oil is probably the culprit.
The coconut oil is 1000% the culprit. One of the biggest rules of the HCG diet is no oil.
I am currently at day 4 of P2, and I have lost 14 pounds. I started the day of TOM. I’ve been drinking close to a gallon of water a day. Is this weight lose considered normal? I’ve read that I shouldn’t have lost weight because of TOM.
Hi @Savannah Every person’s body is different and I don’t think any of us can say for sure what will or won’t happen – sounds like you are doing well, and most likely you had a good amount of water weight that was just waiting to come off! Take it and run girl! 😉 – Rayzel
Oh am I so glad I found your blog. I just started the hcg diet on Wednesday. I am on day 2 of phase 2 and TOM Shows up this morning (1 week early). What do I do? Do I keep taking the drops? Really nervous to stop taking them so early on. I don’t mind having a heavier period as long as I keep loosing weight. The drops I purshased included directions that say that I can start at anytime as long as TOM doesn’t fall on phase 1 or phase 3, and try and start at least 10 days before TOM is supposed to appear. Help!
Hey @Dmh sorry for the delay – usually it’s best to stop hCG temporarily on heaviest flow days- otherwise it can interact in odd ways with your period (ie making it go longer than usual, heavier than usual). For me it was always find to only stop my injections on the my 1-2 heaviest flow days, then to resume (and you’re still doing 500 calorie diet the whole time). Usually that will suffice. Let me know if you run into additional trouble and I’ll try to help. – Rayzel
So it’s been a little over 2weeks and the dreaded TOM is here. I was so excited to start that I went right into without thinking. Week 2 I stalled a lot and I realized that ‘oh no’ my TOM may b coming. I lost a total
Of 12 lbs. 9 the first week. 3 the second. And now was up 2 lbs my first day of TOM. I didn’t take injection this morning and will not resume until it’s dine. Approx 4 days. Should I restarted brand new. With loading days and all? And do a short 21 day round or do I just start again. ?
@Beez no need to start all over with loading and such. Just pick the vlcd and shots back up once your period is over. According to Dr. S re-loading is not necessary unless it’s been over 2 weeks since you were taking hCG. I hope that helps!
That does help! Thanks for the swift reply! I was considering just starting again in 2 weeks exactly…. originally I was going to go all the way till Valentine’s Day/Bday. But now I think I should just start over. Would you say just start again -in that case? I won’t go crazy in between but won’t start the strict strict again until 2/16ish.
I love this diet and want to do it correctly. I see that it can work !! And excited for the best results.
Hi, my daughter started HCG when she was on her period (I didntknow that she should have waited). After being on her period for 2 weeks she decided to stop the shots until her period stopped. It finally stopped and she started the shots again today. Her period started again and was very heavy. She is upset and doesnt want to give up. Any advice?
Hi @Krista That’s good she stopped hCG so her period could stop- yes sometimes hCG has a strange interaction with a woman’s period when the shots are continued during hCG. I wish I knew why this happens! To be honest I just don’t know. I am wondering if some women’s bodies are just a lot more sensitive to the hormone than others. Can you tell me how many iu’s of hCG she was taking each day? – Rayzel
Hey chica,
How r u…must say u r a gud motivator for oll of us and u doin great job… I m living in in india and hv hucog 5000ius premixed as 1 ml so i mixed with 4ml of 0.9% of sodium chloride water as bac water isn’t available anywhere in india and no body from abroad is exportin to india…guess it should b fine. Also i hv the wierd syringe which is 1 ml with 40 units
So if i hv to do 175ius then 7units i hv to plunge out.right??
I need to lose 20 pounds so how many days should i do startin from
Tomo…
One more thing I wanna ask is i m a vegetarian
So can I substitute protein with my herbal life proteim shake mixed with water or no??
Pls temme one plan of 500 calories including herbal life shake.
Wil it b like this
One pfotein shake in water for bf
Snacking of one apple before lumch
1 servin of veg and one of fruit for lumch
Dinner can b one protein shake,one serving vegetables and one fruit serving….
Is that all
Pls reply asap starting from
Tomo dont wanna go wrong
Thanks
Kanika
HI @Kanika nice to meet you. 🙂
Thanks for the kind compliments! You did good on your mixing girl with what you had, good job. I think I put the number of units for iu’s with those odd syringes in my blogpost here: http://hcgchica.com/finding-your-hcg-diet-dose-with-a-40-unit-1-mlcc-syringe/ yes it says 7 units (I had to look! I do the math once and then forget it lol) I can’t tell you in advance how much weight you will lose in how many days, no one can. My recommendation is to appreciate all the weight loss you get and just respect your body and let it do it’s thing. When you get to your goal, whenever that is, rejoice!
Ideally as a vegetarian, yes you want to find a source of protein that is low in carbs. I don’t have time at the moment to design an actual menu with that shake I’m sorry! What you suggest yourself seems about right though!
Rayzel
Hey chica
U r the best ty so much
U r a gud motivator
Hv started tomo wil b the first day of VLCD
I wil try to do 40 day round to lose 22 pounds i want to….for protein substitute i hv got unsweetened soy milk which i wil blend with strawberries and stevia
Hope it should b gud…
Thanks luv u tooo much
Hey girl! Thank you so much for all the help. I’ve spent a gooood amout of time on your blog/vlogs/etc and it’s been great! I can’t seem to find the answer to my question though.
I would like to know, if because I’m taking hCG- if I took a pregnancy test.. will it be positive? I’m one of those weird people that always thinks/worries they are pregnant. *guilty as charged* so! it freaks me out knowing it would read “pregnant” regardless if I was or not.
Thanks in advance!
-Savanna
I’m curious of this too. Did you ever get an answer to this question.
Hi Tara,
Nice to meet you! 🙂
Rayzel has a helphub article that can help you here: https://hcgchicahelphub.com/can-i-get-false-positive-pregnancy-test-urine-while-im-taking-hcg-on-the-diet/
Have a nice day!
Thank you very much for this info. Hcgchica you are a great resource. I thank you.
Hi Chica,
I read through all of this info and everyone’s postings below, but I guess I’m still a little iffy. I too started shots five days ago, not knowing I was in the middle of PMS due to irregularity. My TOM hit yesterday pretty bad, probably one of the worst times its been. I have been resuming shots because yesterday, it hid midday and usually my first day is the worst so I took it this morning as well. Yesterday was so bad I ended up eating some cookies, but I did it with gusto and refuse to feel bad about it so I’m not. I know Dr. S recommends stopping shots or at least for two heaviest days, but continuing diet. I guess I’m confused if I should just put the thing on pause for one or two days including diet and restart, or if that wouldn’t do much? My cravings today are still pretty through the wall, and I’m usually very good with fighting through them so I know it’s my period talking (this is my second round). And the argument is, if I knew my period was coming last week, I would’ve waited until it was done anyway to start the whole thing as recommended? Need some sage advice! Thanks!
Hey @Amanda first I apologize if I misunderstood any of your message – what do you mean exactly that your period was so bad you ate cookies- do you mean hunger, cravings or cramps or all? It sounds like you continued injecting on your heaviest flow days, is that right? I do recommend stopping on those days because our bodies actually produce a small amount of hCG while on period, so taking additional hCG can cause excessive hunger – the diet is continued even though the shots are stopped temporarily. I hope that helps. If you stop and restart there is no need to re-load by the way. – Rayzel
Hi, after 4 days on injections I started my cycle. I stopped the injections and the 500 calorie diet. should I load again after my cycle stops?
Hi @kishamason:disqus no loading is necessary again. Dr. S said a person could even take up to a two week break from hCG without re-loading. I hope that helps! You just resume the injections. Although, for next, time, technically the 500 cal diet is supposed to be continued while on your period. Your body apparently makes a small amount of hCG while on your cycle.
Thank You so much!!!
Hi Chica! I’ve been reading your website all weekend and I start Day 1 of loading today. I have a heavy period to begin with because I have uterine fibroids. However, if I take ibuprofen 800 mg three times a day for the first 3-4 days of my period, my flow is decreased to about half of what I would experience. Is it okay to take ibuprofen while on the hcg protocol? I went to a clinic and had seen some mention of stopping hcg while a person was on their monthly cycle, but never a reason why. I asked the doctor at the clinic about it and he looked at me like I was crazy and he clearly did not know what I was talking about. I guess what do you expect, after all, he is a man……:-)
Hiya @wendy_golden:disqus ! As far as I know the ibuprofen doesn’t cause a problem on hCG. Yes Dr. Simeons wrote in his original protocol to stop hCG but continue the diet during Menstruation. While he didn’t say why, one possibility from my research is that a woman’s body actually does produce a very small amount of hCG during her period, so to me it seems like basically your body is creating your own hCG dosage during your period, and taking more hCG on top of that could cause excess hunger (since both too much and too little hCG in your system causes the same issues with too much hunger). Lastly, I have seen enough of this now that sometimes hCG can mess with a woman’s period if you keep taking it during that time, ie, the person’s period will just keep going on and on and won’t stop till they get off hCG entirely- so to me these are good reasons to stop hCG on your heaviest flow days- for me that was really only 1-2 days- to be honest I was too nervous to stop hCG any longer than that! I hope that helps you! – Rayzel
I was doing some research myself on the subject and in a few places it said that it could make your cycle heavier than usual. I too started the week of PMS not knowing due to the fact of irregularity. And when (in my house) Aunt Flow comes for her monthly visit I usually don’t even see her just the symptoms. But this time not sure as to if it is the HCG or just my irregularities. I saw Aunt Flow as soon as she came through the door. I was wondering if you had heard about Aunt Flow getting heavier or staying past her welcome. And just a little side bar now that I look back I have two sister So that meant my Dad had Aunt Flow living with him year round. Poor Man.
Hey @glasgirl65:disqus YES – I actually have had a number of people more recently tell me their period kept going on much longer than usual when they continued to inject during this time – so definitely advised to stop at least on heaviest flow days. Poor man is right! :)- Mine lately has been every 25 days instead of every 28 days and I’m like what?? Way too frequent for me!
Do you continue the shots while on your period? Your videos are very helpful and have answered a lot of questions! I am half way thru a 40 day round but am due to start my period soon. I would like to know if I should stop taking the shots but continue the 500 calories once I start TOM. Or continue taking the shots and just do the one day break.
Hi @jenschindler:disqus – the way I ended up doing it was to skip only 1-2 days on my heaviest flow days- I felt too nervous to skip longer than that! Some continue injecting through their period, others stop for the full duration. I think skipping 1-2 days of heaviest flow is a reasonable approach. You do continue the 500 while on tom without hCG. The idea is that your body actually produces a small amount of hCG while on your period – so in effect it’s like your body is providing you your daily hCG dose for those days and potentially taking your injection also could be too much hCG in effect causing hunger. That’s the idea anyway. Hope that helps!
I am on Depo Provera as contraception (a shot every three months), however, In the book Pounds and Inches it says oral contraceptives are okay. Would this make the HCG not work for me?
Hi @photogirl333:disqus as far as I know, most women continue what medications or birth control they are on when doing this protocol. Whether it affects the pace of the results, that could be of course, but I don’t have any specific data about that.
Hi! I am on day 3 of vlcd and i am due to start my period next week 🙁 can i continue with the hcg? I wanted to start as soon as possible as my wedding is next month
and the old fashioned way of losing weight was not working! Will the weight loss show up after my period or does it cause a genuine stall while menstruating? Im doing so well with a 6 pound loss already so i dont want to stop! Thanks in advance!
Hi @saraperi:disqus – people do tend to have weight loss stall a bit for a few days on the menstrual cycle- not always, but more often than not. I usually only skip hcg for 1-2 days of my heaviest flow- I hope that helps!
So is it ok to do HCG while on your TOM? I’ve read mixed reviews! I just started R1P2 (on my 3rd day of vlcd) and started my TOM yesterday. But your example was perfect bc we are taking a family trip to Disney in less than a month so this was the best time! I was miserable so I had to do something! I’m loving your website btw! It is soo helpful and full of information!
I actually started TOM about 3 days after I started my first round without any issues at all. I think part of that is due to my Vegan diet, I dont have normal cravings or blood sugar dip hormone imbalances. Additionally, my essential oils are always my mood busters and up lifters and realy got me through any crankieness normally associated with the first couple weeks of hch!
Hey lady! That’s great you don’t experience much in the way of PMS symptoms – I can’t say that I do myself anymore much either as far as cravings go, but I DO still experience water retention some months. Great that you are using essential oils in that way!
Hi HCG Chica. Love your work! You are a great help to all of us. This is my second HCG, I did one last year. And then in the mid year I tried drops (now on injection) and drops were a disaster. Anyways. I am experiencing hunger and stalls I am also late on my period (definitely not pregnant though) so I am on my day 6 it’s been very hard, but I have been very strong not cheating and staying in my calorie restriction. But my period doesn’t start and I am stalling. What shall I do? I am desperate. The shots are super expensive and I really wanted to lose 15 pounds. Looks like I will not be able to do so. Please help!!
Hi Sandra!
Have you had a chance to see Rayzel’s detailed article on hCG dosage yet? If not, that’s the very best place to start.
http://hcgchica.com/hcg-dosage-how-should-feel-on-the-hcg-diet-when-you-are-on-the-right-dose/
-Lucelle
This is makes good practical sense and I totally agree. Just psychologically, that first week can be hard, and it is great to see a big weight loss and not having to deal with the additional emotional upheaval of your period is really important. Thanks HCG chica for always addressing the TMI topics and answering the important questions that everyone wants to ask but that they are too afraid to ask!!! 🙂
~barbara ~aka inspired girl
http://www.inspiredgirl.me