Expert: Joanne - 3/29/2008

Question
I had anorexia for over a year but started recovery in september. Im heavier now than i was initially, but my periods are not back. Also, my bowel movements havent gone back to normal, i have really really bad flactulance and am on the toilet quite regularly. I dunno what to do. Can you help?

Answer
Jayne

In order for your periods to return, your body fat percentage needs to reach healthy levels again, and your body has to be sure that it will not be starved again!  It is thought to be a safety mechanism in order to prevent you becoming pregnant when your body is in a state that it could not nurture a foetus!  If you are worried about this though, visit your Dr or an OB/GYN in order to rule out any other possible causes.

Many people find that when they begin to eat a normal diet again, it takes time for their digestive system to get used to normal feeding again, resulting in constipation or diarrhoea.  In time your bowels should recover from this, and  process food as was intended.  If you are worried about this, it may be worth getting it checked out to make sure that you have done no lasting damage, or that there is not another condition causing this!

Joanne