No period- am I damaged forever?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2006
No period- am I damaged forever?
15
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 8:24am

As I've mentioned before, I am struggling with anarexia. I've been slowly gaining weight- which has been very very scary for me. I'm up to about 128-130 and I still haven’t gotten my period! My doctorrs tell me I need to gain a little more weight before I can get it back, but I'm sooooo scared that I've messed up my body permanently!!! I want to have kids some day! Has this happened to anyone else? Have I damaged my system permanently?

Thank you

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2005
Mon, 11-06-2006 - 3:26pm

No!! You're not damaged forever!


I would definately talk to a OB/GYN since they specialize in the reproductive system. I had really irregular periods before my ED got out of control. I didn't have a period (during my bad ED months), but within a year and half it did regulate itself (under the supervision of my OB/GYN). Now at 28 years old, I have twin boys. No fertility medicine.


It takes your body some time to get back in sync. You are still so young and have plenty of time for your body to get to good health.


Good luck! catherine

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2006
Wed, 11-08-2006 - 11:26pm
Oh do not even WORRY about it. There is no magic weight that will make it come back. You may even be at a high enough weight that it will come back even if you stay where you are. It just takes time for your body to adjust. The amount of time you've personally been starving yourself for will not affect your reproduction ability.
I was 140 lbs and I lost about 30 lbs in a couple months when I was 15 and first anorexic. I lost my period for a couple years. I went up to 120 from 110 and I still didn't have a period. I stayed at around 120 for a year or so and my weight has hovered around 115 for about 4 years and my body has regulated itself and I get my period now normally which I have had for about 2 years. When you lose a lot quickly, you can stop getting your period (even if you're not underweight). Just focus on eating well and your body will get back to normal.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Wed, 11-15-2006 - 7:25am

I lost my period for 3 full years and when it came back it came back in full force. I still struggle with my eating disorder every day but I do have regular periods. I am currenly on hormonal birth control but I had my period for years before I went on the pill and I went on it for contraceptive reasons NOT becuase I needed it to bring my periods on.

And if it helps you to know, I worked with a woman who is also anorexic (and has been been since her teen years) but she has delivered 5 very healthy children. You just need to get yourself (mentally and physically) healthy so that your body can go back to its "normal" routine.

I hope that helps you. (((Hugs)))

-- QGirl06

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2006
Wed, 11-15-2006 - 2:40pm
Thanks SO MUCH to everyone for all the encouraging posts!
sorry this will be so long-
I am in the same situation! I was 170 lb when I developed an ED. At my lowest weight, I weighed 92 lb. I was proud of myself for the "achievement", but staretd to hate that I had gotten sooo skinny! I began to disgust myself, able to see my ribs, lost my periods, etc... yet, I couldn't stop! I'd hear people say things like "I WISH I were as skinny as you!" but even that was sickening to hear. People poo-pooh this problem and say "it's all in your head." -Yes! It IS, and that IS the problem. Nobody gets that. In my case, it was a way to have control of something...ANYTHING. Then it became a cry for help, to which nobody listened.
What I had not seen in previous posts was any mention of diet drugs. I unfortunately became dependant on them also.
I now weigh between 100 and 110 lb. My amazing boyfriend confronted me one night about my ED (which I should mention he had no part in developing. When we met, I was already at my lowest point) and promised that we would work on this together- which I believe saved my life.
It has only been 10 months, and I still struggle EVERY DAY. My wonderful BF wants-when we get married- to have children someday- a topic HE has brought up several times, and which I shy away from. I hate having to tell him that I don't know if I can. And I want more than anything to be able to, and to give him that gift.
I look forward checking this board for updates. Guess I have to be more patient than I have been in waiting for my body to recover from what I've done to it.
Thanks again!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2006
Fri, 11-17-2006 - 4:16pm

Hi Sheesha,

I don't think you need worry, you're on the right track. My periods stopped for over 3 years at one point (from about 23-26). Eventually after a while (maybe 6 mths) at a healthier weight (though still rather underweight) they suddenly came back. After a few months I settled back into the normal cycle and havn't had any issues with that aspect since, though I do still struggle with food issues. It's great that you seem to be on your way to overcoming that part and with time your periods should come back like your doctors said.

Take care

J xx

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