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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/menstural problems after anorexia

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 9/12/2009


Question
mam i m an indian aged 18..recently in november i started my journey to loose weight as i was reallyfat..i weighed 66 kgs and height is 5"4 inches...uptil januray i had my weight at around 57 kgs and i had my normal menstural cycle...but after that i lost my period because i had developed anorexic behavious and i ate about 500 calories a day for 3 monthes...i was in huge depression also because of my exams...my lowest weight was around 49 kgs or so..now i am trying to come out of it and presently my current weight is about 55 kgs(122 pounds) and still havnt got my period back..i have seen a doctor but she gave me estrogen cycle for one month to have my period which i got then asked me to wait for a month in which i got very light bleeding..which lasted 3 days but i didnt get that this month and i thnk my weight has again dropped by 2 kgs as i live in hostel now and food problem is a great issue there..so i am very deeply worried what to do??will i ever get my period back or what..by the way after taking medicine for 1 month i have started getting sort of white discharge and all.. but in country like india where there is very little knowledge about anorexia i m in a great need of help..i am very much worried..plzz help me..
thanks for paying attention to my question..

Answer

Jeannie Rust, PhD
Dear Komal,

I'm so glad that you wrote.  Yes, you can get your menstrual cycle back and you're so correct that it's attached to your body weight.

I would love to see you go back to your doctor, tell her about the anorexia, and get her help.  Explain to her about your periods.  You've talked with her once.  She sounds like she knows what she's doing!

The other thing you need to do which is very hard is to start increasing your calories slowly -- this week start eating 750 a day, then next week, 1000 calories a day, then 1200, 1500, 1800 until you're maintaining your weight and not losing.

Let me know what your doctor says.  I really think you need to see her!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com

Jeanne Rust, PhD

Expertise

I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.

Experience

I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.

Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA Masters in Counseling Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute

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