Expert: Loren - 5/29/2007

Question
Hi, I’m a 17-year-old girl who is trying to recover from a year and a half struggle with bulimia. So far it has been getting better. But here’s the real reason for my question. Last month my period was dark and very short, and then two weeks later my boyfriend and I had sex for the first time. Now I am almost three weeks late on my period, I’ve taken trhree pregnancy tests and they both came up negative. Is it possible that I am pregnant or is it my body reacting to starvation? And on a side note...my boyfriend and I have noticed the increase in my breast size, my meat cravings and mood svings...is this another symptom of getting better or am I truely pregnant?

Answer
Hello Kaylee

I'm glad to hear recovery is going well.

Now, to your question. The period problem is most likely to be a reaction to your body's oestrogen levels increasing as you go further into recovery. You haven't mentioned how regular/irregular your periods were whilst bulimic, but I imagine that if you were underweight (and also because you are still young) your periods would have not been totally consistent. The change in breast size, too, is related to oestrogen levels. The other symptoms could be related to pregnancy OR merely to hormonal imbalances that are now sorting themselves out. I must add that after a couple of weeks I doubt you would be experiencing extreme pregnancy symptoms already.

Seeing as you have taken three pregnancy tests and both were negative I think it's unlikely that you are pregnant. If you are still unsure (as home pregnancy test kits can prove unreliable) visit your GP and explain the situation and get one taken there. Don't worry, seeing as your 17 your parents DO NOT need to be informed if you wish to keep this confidetial.

Take care,
Loren