Period

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2007
Period
10
Fri, 02-16-2007 - 7:54pm
I'm really concerned about getting my period back and I would like to have some questions answered by some people who lost their period for 6 monthes or more and now have it back. If you don't mind me asking... how long did you go without a period? how long did it take to get it back after you started back eating normally?
Avatar for finian
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: alex_289
Sat, 02-17-2007 - 7:32am
Just wondering, have you asked your doctor about this yet?
Hm, trying to remember about periods. It's been a long time since I managed to starve myself out of my periods. That happened back when I was 15. Um, I'd been underweight for at least a year (I think my BMI was about 15 or 16 at the time... remember the rest model scandals? In some places they're required to be at least 18 BMI to model). However, I was also abusing drugs at the time, so it wasn't just the weight that messed with my cycle. I remember my cycle starting back up, having my first period rather quickly after starting to eat more than 1000 calories a day again, but again balance this by the fact that I was going to Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, had gotten sober.
But really try not to worry too much. Do you know what your body fat number is? I believe body fat is the most important part of having your cycle start back up.

Love and Light, Joelle

Homeschooling mom to an

Love and Light, Joelle

Homeschooling mom to a 11yr old hydrogen molecule.




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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2007
In reply to: alex_289
Sat, 02-17-2007 - 7:50am
I have no clue what my body fat number is. How do you find out?
Avatar for finian
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: alex_289
Sat, 02-17-2007 - 7:53am
I don't know either... maybe if you google it. How I recently found out my body fat number, there was a health fair at my local mall and they had this playstation control-looking thing that I held for maybe a minute then it told me my body fat. I'm sure your doctor will have a similar tool to that. It may already be in your medical records and you just need to call the doctor's office about it.

Love and Light, Joelle

Homeschooling mom to an

Love and Light, Joelle

Homeschooling mom to a 11yr old hydrogen molecule.




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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2005
In reply to: alex_289
Sun, 02-18-2007 - 11:52pm

Hi Alex,


I guess you're probably worried about when you'll get your own period back?


For me it started back up again on its own, at the time I wasn't really worried about it, but then I was only about 13 (mine started when I was 11).


Do you know why you worry about it?

 

 

~Diana~

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-12-2007
In reply to: alex_289
Mon, 02-19-2007 - 7:29am
I scared that I won't be able to have children. And when I get my period back I can start exercising!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2006
In reply to: alex_289
Wed, 02-21-2007 - 8:10pm

Hey....I def know what you're going through- it's soooo frustrating!!!

I was reading your posts and it's funny b/c it seems like we have A LOT in common in terms of our disorder and what our bodies were like prior to the disorder.

I'm 5'7" and recovering from anorexia as well. If you look back at some of my posts from the past few months you'll see a lot of the same themes you mentioned in your post.

I lost me period exactly 1 year ago this month because of my disorder. My "team" of doctors assure me that my period will come back when it decides to on its own- when my body has enough healthy fat and calcium to begin to menstruate on its own. I finally got my period last month (although it was VERY light) but I missed it this month. It's frustrating. I visited my docotor last week and she wants to wait a little longer before using any alternative methods to get my period back. (like taking the pill)

She said it was a good sign that I got my period last month and that i shouldn't expect it to go back to normal right away since my body's been through a lot this past year between stress, excessive excercise, and malnutrition.

The best advice i can give you is to stay calm, stay mtotivated and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep eating healthy, normal meals! I cannot stress this enough!!!! I know it's tough- god I know! I'm kinda going through my "freak out" stage with my weight gain because it's coming on so fast now that I'm eating.

The only way for you to get your period back (and your life) is to keep eating and giving it the nutrition it NEEDS and DESERVES! C'mon, deep down inside you know a sandwich or a nice big salad or even a tasty snack won't kill you- IT'S ONLY FOOD! (That's a calming technique I use when I get really upset or anxious about food) It's food- it's yummy! :)

PLEASE keep talking on this board for support or go see a nutritionist or talk to someone you can trust and who can support you. I notice you're very religious- maybe pray for help and support and strength to battle your disorder.

Keep talking to me too if you find it helpful. I've been dealing with this for over a year so I know everything you're dealing with. Just please take care of yourself - you deserve to be happy and you deserve to eat!!

BIG HUG!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2007
In reply to: alex_289
Thu, 03-01-2007 - 1:42pm
Hello,
I am also a recovering person and my dietitian has said that sometimes your fat intake may be too low, and it might not have anything to do with weight. So if you try to increase your fat (through i.e. olive oil, peanuts ect..) it might help. I have been trying to get mine back for about 3 months now, and it is still hasn't come back. Also, I know that metabolism slows signifigantly when you eat less than 1300 calories per day, so bumping up metabolism could also help.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2005
In reply to: alex_289
Fri, 03-02-2007 - 4:45pm

(((Sheesha)))


What an awesome, awesome post!

 

 

~Diana~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
In reply to: alex_289
Thu, 03-08-2007 - 10:47pm

Hi Alex,

I lost my period for about 8 months. It's hard to figure, but it was less than a year. When I got my period back, I got pregnant within 5 months. I nursed my son for about 18 months, so didn't have my period again for awhile, but for a good reason. You didn't say how old you are. I think that's definitely a factor. I had my son when I was 35. That was 7 years ago. I've been underweight for over a year now, and I'm still getting my period. I think it's my body telling me that if you want a another baby, you'd better do it now!!! I'd lost my period at a much heavier weight 10 years ago.

So, the lowdown is that if you want to regain your period in order to regain your fertility, you need to put on some weight. And be prepared to put on 30 more pounds during your pregnancy. Don't panic! You'll lose half the weight once the baby is born and if you go the nursing route, you'll lose the rest of the weight within months.

Sorry if I've been off the mark, but the only reason, in my mind, to be concerned about getting your period back is if to know that you're stll fertile.

Best of luck and good wishes,

~andyjac

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-07-2007
In reply to: alex_289
Thu, 03-15-2007 - 9:36am
I hadn't had a period for about..7 or 8 months I want to say. It took about 2 months for me to get my period back, and after that it was kind of hit or miss. One month have one, two months not, then every other, etc. It was kind of out of whack for a few months. But, if you're worried about still being fertile, I'll agree that age and weight has a lot of play in it. But for me, I got pregnant while my period was still out of whack, and now DD is almost 6! I did freak out a bit with having to gain the weight during pregnancy (I gained 28lbs), but when you know that its for your little baby, that makes it SO much easier. I wouldn't worry too much about your period though, it'll come back when its ready. And being able to have a baby will have more to do with your weight and age I think. Just try not to worry about it too much, if you just keep eating like you need to, it'll come back when its ready!!!
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