ask: I have not had my period in many years - 7 or 8 years with only a few periods! I don't know what to do and worry about my health - can someone help?
I had an eating disorder when I was a teen, and had previously had scattered periods. After being anorexic, my period stopped altogether, and has never really come back, despite recovery and weight gain. I have tried many things over the years - hormones, homeopathy, accupuncture, Don Quai, etc., but still I don't get my period. I know I could take birth control but I was told that that isn't a "real period" and I really dislike the way that I feel on most birth control. I just want to do what my body needs from me and I would prefer to do it in a "natural" and "healthy" way (whatever that means!) - can anyone offer some advice?
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Can you tell us if you are currently being treated by a Gynecologist for your amenorrhea?
You mentioned that you had an eating disorder as a teenager, and I'm wondering how long ago this was? Women who struggle with an eating disorder can recover from this disease, but it is a life-long process. Do you feel you are in recovery from your eating disorder, and have you experience relapses (as most women do)?
What is your current weight/height, as even if you are in complete recovery from your previous eating disorder, you still may be under weight...a primary cause of amenorrhea (lack of periods).
April 27, 2010 - 7:04amThis Comment
Hello! This is the author of the question - thank you very much for writing back!
I am not currently being treated by a gynecologist for amenorrhea but have a GP who knows about it. We have been working on reducing stress and anxiety for a while now, with success.
I had an eating disorder when I was 16 - 17 years old, so that was about 8 or 9 years ago. I am 25 now. Yes, I do feel that I am in recovery, though I know that my eating will probably always be somewhat disordered.
Currently, I am about 5'4 and 120 or 125 lbs. I have weighed more (between 130 and 140 lbs) since my eating disorder and still not started on my period.
Thank you for replying to my post :) I really appreciate it!
April 27, 2010 - 9:59pmHi, Anon,
I'm glad you are working on reducing your stress levels. The Mayo Clinic says that mental stress can temporarily alter the functioning of your hypothalamus — an area of your brain that controls the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle.
You mention that you tried hormones as one of the treatments for your amenorrhea. Have you had your hormone levels tested recently? When you tried hormones, what were you using? Did it have any affect at all?
Have you ever had your thyroid levels tested?
Do you exercise? And if so, how often or how much? Was over-exercising a part of your eating disorder?
Are you on any medications?
April 29, 2010 - 8:37amHi Diane!
Thanks so much for getting back to me on this. I appreciate it so much.
I haven't had my hormone levels tested recently, perhaps I should contact my doctor about setting up an appointment with an endrocrinologist. I previously took estrogen (I believe) to counter my low levels of estrogen and heightened testosterone level. That got my period going but I was miserable and felt extremely depressed so I stopped. Then I tried progesterone and that got my period going, along with yoga, but once I had a stressful occurence in my life, my period stopped again.
I don't think I have ever had my thyroid levels tested. I will also bring that up with my doctor.
I am a commuter cyclist, so I would estimate that I cycle about 40 minutes - 1 hour per day, 4 - 5 days a week. Other than that, I walk and have a somewhat physical job (cooking/dishwashing/serving) so I would say that I am fairly active but I don't go to a gym or run or anything. Over-exercising wasn't very much a part of my eating disorder because I ate so little that I had no energy to do anything.
I am taking St. John's Wort, for anxiety, Don Quai, for ammenhorrea, calcium with vitamin D, for bones, and vitamin C.
Thank you again for your help!
April 29, 2010 - 12:32pmSmiles, Annie
It sounds like hormone and thyroid testing may be a good bet for you. It may be that you are chronically low in one area or another and that it's causing your amenorrhea. It doesn't seem that you are exercising too strenuously, and nothing you are taking would seem to cause this.
You might consider going to a naturopathic physician also. Naturopathic physicians study the entire body (not just the symptoms in one area) and use nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes and natural healing methods to help a body restore itself to proper function. Here's a page from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians that explains, adds links and lets you search for those near you:
http://www.naturopathic.org/
So maybe an endocrinologist and/or a naturopathic physician? I'd be interested to know what those hormone and thyroid tests tell you and your doctors.
April 30, 2010 - 9:18amHi Diane,
This is great - I really appreciate the solid advice you've offered and it really eases my mind to at least have some ideas of what to do. I will write back after I have seen an endocrinologist and a naturopath to let you know what the results were!
With much gratitude!
April 30, 2010 - 9:40amAnnie
You probably don't want to go there but an IUD that releases a few hormones helped me.
June 22, 2010 - 2:44pmHi Rebecca!
June 23, 2010 - 7:59amThank you for your post! I am open to that possibility and will keep it in mind - thank you!
Smiles, Annie