Expert: Joanne - 7/20/2006

Question
I have been bulimic for almost a year. Prior to my bulimia, I had lost 30 pounds after having my son (I went from 140is to about 108-110). I had regular menstrual cycles until last November when I hit 108 pounds. My last cycle was 3 months and I just skipped another period. I only purged once a week or so for the past few months. I have also gained some weight (I am 113 pounds and 5'4'' up from 108). Is it ever possible to recover my normal menstrual cycle? I want to have a second child but I'm afraid I won't be able to. How long should it take with no purging and eating 3 meals/day? Thanks.

Answer
I recommend that as well as no purging and eating normally, you get some treatment in order to make sure that any issues that led to the bulimia are dealt with so that you don't suffer relapses.

If it has only been a few months without a period, you shouldn't have too much difficulty I don't think.  Your body just needs to be back up at a normal healthy weight and you body fat percentages have to be within the normal range, and then your periods should start again.  I would give it another couple of months of eating properly and see how that goes.

If you are still not having periods after about 3 months or so, or you are very worried now, I think that you should go and see your Dr and just get him to check you over.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to come back and ask them!

Hope all goes well
Holly