Expert: Joanne - 2/8/2009

Question
I have been recently recovered from anorexia and I have been at a stable weight now for about 4 months and I have been getting my period regularly for about 3 months, This month I have not gotten my period yet and am kinda nervous. I'm not sure if this is because of something related to the eating disorder or if I'm just not having regular periods yet.
Maybe you can help me and maybe you can't but I'm just wondering weather after keeping a stable weight about how long does it take to maintain regular periods? Thanks

Answer
Tayla

Congratulations on recovery!

It is quite common for your periods to be slightly erratic after recovering from an eating disorder, and after only 3 months I wouldn't worry too much, and just keep a good diary so that you can check that it does settle within the next few months.

If you are extremely regular and you do believe that this is out of the ordinary, then it may be worth a visit to your doctor just to check that there is nothing there.

How late are you?  If it is only a few days to a week, then it may still come!

If in the last month or two, you have had unprotected sex (even if you are on the birth control pill), then it may be worth visiting your doctor or taking a self-pregnancy test just to be sure.

The menstrual cycle will sort itself out after an eating disorder, it just takes time, and unfortunately, there is no way of saying for any one person how long that will be as it is will vary.  Just make sure that you are eating regularly and that your weight isn't fluctuating too much and you should find that it hopefully settles down soon.

Joanne