Expert: Joanne - 8/9/2008

Question
hi, when i was 11 i literally lost my appetite. i pretty much stopped eating, eventually i had to go to an eating disorder unit. i spent all my teenage years in an institution (11 - 17) now i am really well, obviously bits stick with you when you've had an eating disorder for that long and from a young age. but I am thank G-d prettynormal. the only thing is i have never menstruated. I'm 21 now and really would love to know i can have kids, and just feel like a woman! i think i get PMT without the bleeding anyways, which is a little unfair! i really wana have kids, and i have osteoporosis and i get hot flushes! iv had scans and stuff, im a very healthy weight. the only thing they offer me is the birthcontrol pill. im a little anti medication unless i have to have to - do you really think this is the only thing to do? plus doesn't it just give you fake periods?? and bad side effects?

Answer
Julia

I would normally suggest visiting your Dr, but is sounds as though you are already ahead of me!

Have your Drs mentioned any permanent damage?  There is a chance that as you developed an eating disorder so young, that your body never developed properly, including your reproductive system.

I think that if you have tried everything else that they have recommended that you should maybe give the birth control pill a shot.  Yes they tend to cause 'fake' periods in a way, as they provide the hormones that control the cycle, but I think that your body needs to be capable of such a cycle for it to happen.  The birth control pill may give your body a kick start and remind it what it should be doing!

Unfortunately I can not be of much more help.  I would just recommend discussing this fully with your Dr, and make sure that he is completely aware of your past.  There may be people out there that may be able to suggest other things, but if not it may be worth a try.

I really do hope that this works out for you, and that one day you can achieve your dream of being a mother, one way or another!

Joanne