I know I am going to get scolded... but I just need someone to reinforce what I know...

Alright... long story... I had not had my period for 5 months... I believe it is due to being a little underweight.  I was 5'4 and about 108-109 pounds... well I got my period back a month ago, started birth control to help regulate it.  I had my period for a good month.  I was happy I got it, but a month was annoying to say the least.  But anywho, I just started my second pack of birth control pills.  I have been trying to at least maintain my weight (I have an issue w/ not seeing the scale go down and its hard to just maintain for me).  Well, occasionally I'd binge and diet for a day or two afterwards just to correct it and continue eating about 1600-1700 calories a day to maintain.  Well, now that my period has finally gone again I weighed in at a whopping 104.  So... I came up w/ two conclusions:

a)  I was simply bloated my whole non period 5 months and the weight finally left me once my period came and went

b) I was sort of bloated but my weight has slowly dropped, meaning my metabolism might be a little faster than my 1600-1700 than I expected. (I rarely exercise but I try to be at least a little active during the day. I used to work as a cashier standing all day but now I've taken up waitressing 5 nights a week)

I know I NEED to gain weight eventually, but I just want to make sure I am emotionally stable for that by making sure I am emotionally stable to maintain my weight.

So... do you think my metabolism is a wee bit faster than I expected or do you think it was all water retention finally being set free?

Thank you for advice!

:)

anyone?

I honestly have no idea. It's a question you probably need to ask your doctor. I'm sorry.

1.  Agree, ask your doctor.

2.  I've never heard of bloating as a cause, but body fat level plays a huge role in determining whether you get your period.  Based on what you've said, if you have lost your period and lost more weight, it sounds likely that your body fat has gotten too low for you to menstruate.

Please talk to a doctor about your eating plan.  If you are continuing to lose at 1600-1700 calories, then that is below maintenance level.

I don't know and would agree with hkellick that you should contact your doctor. Absent periods aren't always a sign of malnourishment, there are many causes. Often they can be caused by hormonal irregularities such as that is seen with PCOS (a common disorder in 10% of women which you would want diagnosed if you have it). Having your period for a full month is a concern. Call your doctor to be sure as self-regulating your period with BC pills without doctor's advice isn't a good idea - esp since it's so irregular.

oooh. I am not doctor, so it is hard for me to weigh in (no pun intended). I am a bit concerned about the period for a month thing- that happened to me once (44 days to be exact) and the doctor put me on the pill for it...have you spoken to your doctor? I'd be worried about anemia if I were you.

In my personal experience, my weight can fluctuate almost 3lb normally, up to five with totm, so maybe it is any or all of the above- water retention, or just a side effect of the pill.

no matter what, if you haven't I would talk to your doctor though! Good luck

I am going to be very honest with you, and I hope you'll take this in the spirit in which it's offered.

You are agonizing for nothing.  A few pounds more or less at your age isn't going to make any difference. Everybody's weight fluctuates every single day. Instead of worrying about it, change the way you think about yourself.  Think about your overall health and your future health.  Care about yourself enough to be a healthy person and stop worrying about being a super skinny person.  Skinny does not = healthy

If you have a problem doing that, then it's time to seek help from a professional.

I don't think that not menstruating can keep 5 lbs on you for five months. You only lose a few ounces of blood - and when you aren't menstruating it's not that it's "backing up" inside you, it's that your body is not producing the thickened lining for the uterus at all. (Same as when people are on no-break hormonal contraception and don't get their periods for a while).

And you had probably accurately assessed your metabolism before, but remember that since you were undereating it had slowed down to compensate, so:

My guess is actually some good news! As you got healthier again, your metabolism kicked back into gear and you now burn more calories than you used to. I'd be willing to bet that you could increase calories by a few hundred, and maintain just fine. (Get back to 108, though, will ya? You need to weigh at least that much)  :)

EDIT: just noticed that you are also waitressing. That is some real exercise, honey, you'll have to increase your eating to compensate!