Loss of Period

Ok, so either my period is really late or it isn't coming but anyways. I am 5'7" and 113 pounds usually. I was wondering if it could be becuase of the anorexia. I exercise everyday and eat 300-700 calories a day. I know that no one is a doctor or whatever and can't tell me for sure but some advice or anything would be nice. Thank you.

This is one of the first symptons and signs of anorexia, loss of period, also known as amenorrhea.

i would most likely *think* it is bc of anorexia- talk to your doctor, but when you become at a certain low body fat, you produce less hormones (women need fat on their body to produce estrogen, etc) so, you lose your period... also, you might grow downy hair all over your body, like languno that newborns have, as a sign of loss of body fat and it's your body's attempt to regulate temperature & hormones-

i know the illness, just promise you're getting help! i battled up & down with eating disorders since 19, and while I am 5'7", I never got as low as 113 - 124 was my lowest after a massive gall bladder attack & dehydration!

it's a loaded gun - when you're older, you've done so much damage to your body, you gain weight and keep it- so just make sure you are working to regulate your eating to new & healthier patterns so you don't endanger yourself and end up with cardiac and electrolyte problems that will kill you eventually...

good luck girl... a little bit of curves makes us women- do what you can to achieve happiness and get healthful...

I'm kind of getting help I have a counselor who doesn't think I'm that bad...But besides that. 

I do have the layer of hair, really bad immune system, brittle hair and nails, dizziness, just alot of symptoms. I just get it in my head I"m not that bad. I don't know. I'm trying. 

Hun I am sorry to be the one to break it to you but you are seriously danger zone....you do have an ED!! I hopee that  you will start seeing someone (professional) that tells you to increase your cals majorly. 300-700 are you freaking kidding!! I am trying to recover from anorexia and that is what I use to eat during my lowest times. I am now at my maintanence level and working my way past that. Hun, I am the same height as you and you are definitley in need....please find out if you can see a doctor to take your vitals and everything. You can not continue to eat this low of calories a day...hopefully the loss of your period will give you a little kick in the butt to increase...

was in the same boat as you quite recently...the thing is, you are not okay. it's easy to tell yourself it's "not that bad" but believe me, your quality of life and overall happiness are suffering because of your habits, even though you may not even realize it. I didn't recognize how little energy i had throughout the day until i started upping my calories (which i'm still doing, and it seems like the hardest thing i've ever done). Yes, i was exercising a lot, but when i wasn't, i was irritable, impatient, and tired in every sense of the word. you just dont realize it until you're better.
i lost my period because i was dropping about 10 lbs a month, and now my weight is steady, but still too low, and i still haven't gotten my period back. a girl needs a certain percentage of body fat to have her period (you can look it up...mine is a little under 13%, i think you need 15-20%). it's been 3 1/2 months since i've had mine, and people say that there are long term problems that can occur because of it.
message me if you want, i'd be happy to talk about any of this with you.

Hi kb_319109, I haven't seen you to much around here so let me say welcome (or welcome back as the case may be!) since I haven't said that already.

I am glad you have asked us for help as it gives me the opportunity to tell you that, from the sound of it, you really should seek some outside professional counseling as soon as you can.

May I ask how old are you? Can you talk to your parents, a doctor, your guidance counselor or school medic/nurse?

In anorexics, losing your period is symptomatic of the hormonal imbalance your body currently is in from constant undereating and malnourishment. It shows that you are so malnourished that your body cannot even spare so much as a small amount of energy, blood and tissue for you to cycle regularly. I don't necessarily want to alarm you, but you have to know that losing your period is a very serious thing which in the long-term absence of which can ultimately cause lasting ill effects on your health, particularly your bone density which can result in premature onset osteoporosis. Some long-term anorexia sufferers need to walk with a cane or walking frame at very young ages!

Bottom line is you can take this as a sign that your health is in serious danger and unless you do something about it soon, you could affect your health for the rest of your life.

Have you seen the Health & Support forum's ED Support and Information thread? There are a ton of resources on there which may be useful to you? Also we have an expert on EDs on Calorie Count called Matthew Tiemeyer, check out his pages on Calorie Count as well as his blog on about.com. Also we have a Nutritionist Expert Mary Hartley whose pages might be able to help give you some ideas for foods which you could eat.

I hope the links above help and that you find the positive, healthy support you need, but we must advise you that Calorie-Count is all about healthy and sustainable weight management and therefore cannot support unhealthy eating disordered behaviour from those who are unwilling to get help -- so please get help so you can start to get healthy!

Take care of yourself, ok?!

I did my body fat I have 17 percent I think it said.

Oh and I'm 16, and I have a counselor who doesn't really take my eating habits seriously, my school nurse isn't exactly that competent, and yeah. So I'm just out of luck until someone takes me seriously.  

kb_319109, a bunch of us after reading similar threads came up with some resources which may be able to help you.

Eating Disorders resources & information thread

It's at the top of the Health & Support forum in one of the stickied threads in case you lose this link.

I really hope that you'll take the time to read it and that it provides you some useful information.  There are also some numbers that you can call for support and more information.

please eat more!

it really breaks my heart to see someone go down the same path as me.

i used to try to eat nothing each day. if i eat something, i'd cut. So you really need to find some professional help.

please don't do this to yourself. it's really not worth it.

you can talk to me anytime. :)

<3 clara 

Okay, I think it's safe to say we are all taking you really, really seriously here.  You are really in need of serious help.  If your counselor isn't getting it, you need a new one.  Try looking up mental health professionals in your area.  Just google it.

Please, please get some help.  Your life is in danger.

Thank you all for your advice. I'm working on getting help for myself. Thank you so much for your support also.