Expert: Meg - 11/4/2006

Question
What causes amennohrea? is it only being underweight, or is it something hormonal? I stopped being bulimic(start13 stop15) I want to get my period(never ever have gotten it) and was wondering if I need some sort of hormone replacement stuff, or if it will come as i eat healthily. also, my growth slowed during bulimia, is there a chance i could catch up the inches i lost(i am much shorter than everyone in my family)

Answer
Hello Grace,

Thanks for your question and I hope that I can be of some help.  

I would recommend talking with your doctor about this as it is possible that getting your period at 15 *is* normal for you.  I didn't get mine until age 15 and this was just as my eating disorder was starting, so it wasn't due to any ED side effects.

That said, it is possible that your body is still recovering from the damage that bulimia did to your body and for that reason isn't healthy enough to have regular periods.  Some girls are advised by their doctors to go on the birth control pill to help even out their hormones and this might be something to consider.

As far as growing more, I think its definitely possible for you to grow and the longer you stay healthy, the more likely it is to happen.  

So, I wish that I had a more definitive answer for you but you're kind of at that age where your lack of period could just be your body blooming late or else residual from your eating disorder.  If your Mom and other female family members got their periods on the later side, then this might be normal for you as well.  But, to be sure, I'd talk with your doctor.

Hope this helps and feel free to write again if there is anything else that I can help with!

Take care!
Meg