Expert: Joanne - 10/2/2007

Question
Holly - I'm recovering from an ED and just want your advice on missing periods.

My anorexia started when i was 19 and it got pretty bad (I went down to 100 pounds and my height is aound 5' 7"/8") although i was never hospitalised. I then gained a substantial amount of weight when i turned 22 (getting back up to 126 pounds or thereabouts) but - sadly - then lost some of it again.

I now weigh around 116/117 pounds after a recent effort to put on a few pounds.

I'm aware this is probably not enough. It can't be - I haven't had a period in a number of years (i'm now 25). I was just wandering what i should do. Obviously gain more weight, but is tehre anything else i can do?

thanks v much

Liselle

Answer
Liselle,

In order for you to have a period, you have to have a certain level of fat in your body.  Fat is essential for a nunber of process, and is also necessary for hormone production.  Your body stops allowing you have periods as a kind of safety mechanism to protect you from getting pregnant.  Humans are made to reproduce.  If your body is in a state that it would not be possible to carry and nurture a foetus, you will stop having periods in order to prevent it.

Unfortunately all you can do is try to improve your diet a bit more, and make sure that you are a healthy weight for your height!

Please come back if you have any questions, or want to discuss anything!

All the best
Holly