Check out my progress on Reader Request: Amenorrhea
**I realize that the topic of menstruation and its dysfunction may not be of interest to everyone, so if you’d rather not read about it, feel free to scroll down now!**
One of the most common questions I receive from B-Hut readers is “How do I get my period back after an eating disorder?” I wish there were a simple answer to that question. What follows is simply my personal experience and is not meant to replace medical advice.
When I began my bout with anorexia, I had already started menstruating, albeit sporadically. However, once I began losing weight, my periods stopped completely…and it stayed that way for four long years.
Once I began treatment, my doctor and I were anxious for regular periods to return, but despite gaining adequate weight, nothing happened. So I started trying to bring back my period naturally, based on what research I could find on the topic: I made sure to consume plenty of fats and protein, limited strenuous exercise, and even started taking a supplement called Vitex. Nothing worked. The only time I menstruated for those four years was one random incident in which I splurged on a piece of pecan pie. Weird, right?
Anyway, my mom insisted that it was time to see a gynecologist about the issue. The gynecologist issued me a one-month prescription for birth control, hoping that would “wake up” my system and kick-start the natural cycle. It didn’t.
I was then referred to an endocrinologist who actually specializes in reproductive therapy. I walked into her office anxious and worried. I was worried that my chances of ever becoming a mother were lost due to a dysfunctional reproductive system, not to mention my concerns regarding bone health. The doctor, who had clearly treated formerly anorexic patients before, was very understanding and even did an ultrasound on my ovaries to show me that I did indeed have plenty of healthy eggs for the future.
In the end, I was prescribed Yaz to bring back my period. I’ve been taking it for the past 3 years without any problems, although I am now considering taking a break from it, just to see if my body can adjust and menstruate naturally.
Bottom Line: If you’re suffering from amenorrhea, don’t hesitate to contact a doctor. For every month that goes by that you miss a period, your risk of osteoporosis becomes greater. (See my post on bone health). While it’s tempting to go on living a life free of tampons and monthly cramps, your overall health is so much more important!
For more information about amenorrhea, please see this link.
If you’re willing to share, please tell me about your experience with amenorrhea. What helped you regain your period?
There’s no good segue…so let’s just get onto the eats!
This morning, I tried stirring a new kind of protein into my oat bran, About Time Cinnamon Swirl. Unfortunately, the whey protein completely destroyed the texture of my oats. It was separated slightly, which seriously detracted from my enjoyment of this breakfast. Perhaps this protein is best in smoothie form?
After unsuccessful trips to Pier 1, HomeGoods, and TJ Maxx for patio seat cushions, I returned home to make a Waldorf Salad.
Tonight I tried my hand at Ellie’s Oven-Baked Onion Rings.
My tweaks:
-I used almond milk instead of buttermilk.
-I don’t have any all-purpose flour, so I used whole wheat instead.
To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had onion rings before. Is that weird? Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty these onion rings were—of course, it doesn’t hurt that I love baked chips, which make up the breading.
With that, I bid you good night!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Do you like that protein powder a lot?
BroccoliHut Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
It’s hard to tell. I received a variety pack from the company to sample. Thus far, it totally does not work in any of my recipes that call for protein powder, but that just may be a function of the fact that it’s whey-based, and I am used to soy/pea/rice and other vegan varieties. They have lots of really cool flavors though!
Hi,
After reading your blog since it’s start, I truly understand your situation regarding this issue. During high school I also had the fear of gaining weight, so I restricted my food intake and lost around 6 lbs. I realized the extent of the problem since my periods stopped for over a 2 years, and it took a long time to gain enough weight for them to come back. Now I am at a healthy weight, but I will never forget the times where I was at the verge of an eating disorder. I guess having a college dining hall with all you can eat food really helped!
As always, Caroline, your candidness is so important.
I am 33 years old (today) and have not menstruated in almost a decade.
It is so important to get help soon and early when you have an eating disorder. I feel like the longer you struggle the more the real deal implications start to get real. Like REALLY REAL. Like “I’ll never have babies, my teeth suck, and I may have a hunchback if I live” REAL. So every chance we get we have to remember the long term.
Food looks delish as always.
Thank you so much for this post! I’m 21, and my period stopped early last fall. I’ve always been active (I’m a dancer and am embarking on a professional ballet career) but after losing some extra weight, I took things too far and lost a lot of body fat as well as my period. My gynecologist put me on a high-estrogen birth control pill for a trial month, but I hated how they made me feel! My moods were all over the place and I had terrible cramps. I haven’t tried anything else since and likewise have not had my period. As convenient as it is, it can be hard to feel like a real woman, and there are definitely health concerns! It’s so good to know I’m not alone and I will be visiting my gyno very soon now! Thank you!
Thank you so much for posting a topic about this issue! It’s something that worries me a lot. I had an eating disorder and stopped menstruating. I have been a healthy weight for 3 years now yet my periods have not returned. Like you i visited a doctor and gynaecologist and had an ultrasound and was put on the contraceptive pill to ‘kick start’ my hormones again. I stopped taking the pill in March to see if i would start menstruating naturally but so far nothing
It’s interesting to see that in Australia they follow the same procedure as in the states!
I’m looking forward to reading about other treatment options that have worked because i’m afraid now that i will get osteoporosis and won’t be able to have kids.
Thanks for a fabulous blog!
Even though I’m near my lowest weight ever, I actually have my period now. But doctor put me on birth control in January after almost 3 years without one. However, about 2 months ago I had a bad relapse, and I did notice my last two periods became really, really light and only lasted a day or two.
By the way, my whey protein (Body Fortress brand) does that same thing to oats. I think its just a whey thing. I actually enjoy the texture now, though! It makes it extra gooey. Be sure to only stir in the protein powder after its done cooking and you’ve cut the heat.
I lost a lot of weight after restricting during high school and had amenorrhea for about 4 years. I got on birth control and regained my period but my emotions were out of whack so I got off the pill for awhile and just got back on last month. Fingers crossed that it works out this time. My extreme emotions were possibly a mix of the stress of starting college along with taking the pill. It’s so important to get it back though!
I’m recovering… but have been without my period for a looong three years. I initially lost it due to extremely high cortisol, as I was taking a killer courseload in my final two years of high school. (I’ve got an International Baccalaureate Diploma with an almost-perfect score of 44… Less than 1% of students get a 45.) Killer courseload in first year of uni… when I developed the ED, which turned into the cause once I “destressed” – learned to not overdo it and manage stress better.
I’m still at too low a BMI to get it back… Thank you for the reminder of how importance it is, though. Whenever I feel like I’m “recovering too quickly”, I tell myself that the faster I get to where I need to be, the better!
As always, your meals look great. I’ve never had onion rings either! I wonder what other veggies taste good with a breaded-type coating (and baked)?
Great post. I don’t get my period and haven’t for over a year due to some hormone imbalances. I don’t want to take birth control though because I don’t want artificial hormones put into my body. It’s difficult because while I want my period, I don’t want to get a “fake period” like I would if I were on the pill.
Just thought I’d put in my 2 cents. I,too, lost my period in late high school and college but got it back after being put on Clomid. Many years later, now, I am the mother of 3 beautiful girls including your blog writer. While an eating disorder can be the cause of the lost period, I think it is low body weight that triggers it and that can be caused by excessive exercise even without an eating disorder. Both obsessions can be detrimental to your health. Do get some professional advice if you’ve been without a period for longer than a few months.
BroccoliHut Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Thanks for your input, Mom! I think we’re all comforted by your story–that even after a little menstrual dysfunction, it is indeed possible to have (relatively normal) children!
You are highly active… you mentioned you got your period back after eating pie. Same situation happened to me. I am a runner and I lost my period due to too low of body weight. Now, I make sure to not only eat “healthy,” but to also eat plenty of pie, cake, etc. My periods are back. As athletes, it is important to incorporate fats into your diets, and as a young woman, I think the addition pies, cakes, etc will also help.
I have recently gained 40 pounds after getting to a really low weight and losing my period, but it still has not come back yet. I guess it makes sense because I have been struggling with this for 11 years now. I am finally at a healthier weight, but still no periods. Thanks for the informative post, Caroline! I think I will talk to my gynecologist and try something to help.
Not only I had an eating disorder, I actually know what amenorrhea is… well cos I’m in medschool doing gynae run at the moment. It’s quite a serious issue but common during weight loss. The jumpstart, the blood test for hormone levels, the ovarian scan, etc… it’s not a single answer thing.
Hope you’re getting it back regularly soon.
Hi Caroline,
Thanks so much for the post, it is something that people are often too cautious to address but that is so common!
I lost my period three and a half years ago and am currently being subjected to the whole gynecologist, endocrinologist saga. It is so frustrating as you just keep gaining more weight at your doctor’s recommendation and still nothing happens!
I see that you have been put on Yasmine? I tried Loette a few years ago and that made me feel so sad. Have you found any side effects with yours?
Thanks so much
BroccoliHut Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
I haven’t had any side effects from Yaz–maybe worth a try? There are lots of options out there, so don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about alternatives.
Hey Caroline-
Thanks for posting about something so personal, it makes me feel less alone.
I actually haven’t had my period now for about 2 yrs (result of eating disorder). The birth control worked – but it gives me really bad physical side effects (my throat closes up) so I can’t take it. Do you get any side effects from Yaz?
Also, what was the Vitex supplement you were taking supposed to do?
Thanks again,
Gabby
BroccoliHut Reply:
June 21st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Hi Gabby,
I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing negative side effects from Yaz. I have been fortunate enough to not have any physical effects from the medication.
I found a few articles about Vitex being helpful for reproductive regulation, so I bought a bottle online. It made no difference, however, and if you do decide to try it, consult with your doctor first!!
Thank you so much for posting this. It struck a huge chord with me as I’m going through the same struggle right now- after over 5 years without a period and increasing fears that I would never be able to have children, I decided to finally visit a gynecologist. I’d been avoiding it all that time because I was very against birth control and having to fake my body into its cycle, as I generally try to avoid any kind of unnatural drugs & supplements. Unfortunately, after hormone & blood testing as well as bone scans, I was essentially told that birth control would be the only course of action to get my menstrual cycle back on track and to make sure that any additional bone damage is avoided/mitigated.
So far I’m only 3 weeks into taking Ortho, and my Dr. warned me that it could take up to 3 months for my period to re-appear. While I don’t feel great sometimes and often wonder if it’s the pill, I have to say that it’s not nearly as bad as I had feared side-effects wise. I wish that more young girls knew about how serious an issue this can become long-term and would love to hear more from recovered anorexics who were able to bear children down the road.
I have lost my period two times. First time was due to an eating disorder, and it took 2 years to regain. It came back after gaining to a BMI around 20.5. The second time I lost it, I was sick with celiac disease and lost to a BMI of 17. I was on birth control at the time, so was still getting my “period”, but as soon as I stopped, I realized I wasn’t cycling. I regained to a BMI of 20.5 again, and my periods are slowly regulating again.
Be very careful about assuming a birth control period is having the same effect as cycling naturally. Birth control does not prevent all the effects of amenorrhea, and it is certainly not creating a ‘cycle’. Just the opposite actually…birth control creates a no-ovulation environment in the body.
Hypothalamic amenorrhea is due to over-exercise, low body fat, insufficient calorie or nutrient intake, and stress. If you don’t have your period, you need to eat more, gain weight, reduce the time and intensity of your exercise, and be sure you’re eating enough carbs/fats etc.. Give it time, continue to eat lots, exercise less, and your body will resume normal cycling (providing there are no other issues like low ovarian reserve etc.).
There is an excellent forum on HA at fertile thoughts. Just search for ‘hypothalamic amenorrhea forum’ on google and you will find it. Years of knowledge and experience.
Some women can cycle at a BMI of 18, some lose their cycles at a BMI of 21, some need to get to a BMI of 23 before they cycle. I would encourage anybody without their cycle to consider gaining weight, reducing stress, and reducing exercise until their periods are restored. Those are the only causes of HA.