Oh Period, Where Art Thou?

Okay I've come a long way from my all time low of 96 pounds in december. I skyrocketed to 117 in a month and now I'm in a comfy range of 106-108 at 5'3''.

BUT I STILL DONT HAVE MY PERIOD.

I run a lot though could this be it? But i know for a fact other girls on my cross country team have theirs because they complain about it. I havent had mine now for over a year

HELP

Are you consuming at least 20% healthy fats every day?

This could be a factor.

Yes, I use olive oil in a lot of my meals

And I get at least one serving (1/4 a cup) of almond butter a day

:/

Bump.

regarding healthy fats, i think you need 4 equivelants, not 1

unfortunately i can't help you, because i too am having this problem. our stats are eerily similar (i'm 5'3'', 106ish with a low of 96). i'm getting some good fats from nuts, cheeses and also olive oil when i can afford it.

i'm hoping someone has a good idea of what else we can do? i hate the suspense...

you can always go to your gyno and get meds to induce it.

you might not have enough body fat for your body to menstruate due to all the exercise you do. i know you said other girls on your team get their periods, but everyone is built differently. i would definitely check it out with your doctor.

I know online calculators might not be the most accurate way but my body fat was 11.3% It was in the category for "essential" fat, it was right under athletic

Wow, I highly doubt that many women with body fat % of only 11.3% can start to naturally menstruate again.  11.3% is VERY low and not healthy at all, so you definitely need to increase your body fat to start having your periods again.  Some sites and/or books will tell you that a female athlete needs at least 14% to be menstruating, but my dietician has suggested that I get to at least 16% (last time I had it checked I was 13%). Everyone's body is different, so who knows, maybe you'll need more, or maybe you'll need less.  

Go to your doctor and get your blood drawn. Explain to them that you have had significant weight gain/loss issues and that you haven't gotten your period. They will probably tell you to gain weight, but insist that you get your estrogen levels tested. This way, once you get the results(which only take about 2 days) you will know if its simply a matter of needing to up your fat level or if you are actually depleted on estrogen. If it is the latter, you will need to go on birth control pills to supplement your body's production. If you do this and do not freak out about how your body wants to start eating(which is natural if you are coming back from an ED), you will gain the sufficient fat levels and estrogen levels to get your period back. You can go off the pill in a few months, wait a month, and get tested again to see if your estrogen levels have returned to normal.
You need to involve your doctor in this. I had the same problem and didnt get my period for 6 months after losing more than 70 lbs. Turns out my estrogen level was totally screwed and was the level of a woman in menopause(I'm 22). I'm now on birth control, have been on for a week, and am going to get tested again after being on the pill for 2 months and then coming off for a month(coming off for a month before being tested is essential so the results don't just show the estrogen you got from the pill).

This isn't an issue you should just leave to yourself and hope gets better. Lack of estrogen can led to serious depletion of nutrients and can have a very, very bad impact on your bones. This could led to brittle bones when you get older and can have other potentially dangerous impacts. See your doctor, they will help.

Periods will not return simply because you are within an acceptable weight level for your height.

Many things can still affect them, this would include the damage that has already been done to your body, whether you have any disorders such as anemia. Whether you are eating enough (a major factor), whether you are a sufficient weight for your body type, whether you are overexercising (a major stress on the body, and seen in many athletes).

Like stated above an absence of periods can cause many problems including an increased chance of osteoporosis, something which you are already at high risk of after suffering from an eating disorder and being at low weight.

I suggest you visit your doctor who has the necessary tools to determine what the remaining cause is.

best wishes, and stay healthy.

 

Many good points, elle.

Also, everyone is different, and an 18.5 bmi might not be enough to regain your period. I, for example, weigh about 112 at 5'3" and I sitll have not gotten my period for over a year. My nutritionist thinks I need to weigh about 115 (as well as have an adequate diet, etc) to menstruate again. That scares the hell out of me, and I can't help but wish I could get my period at a lower weight. maybe eventually I will be able to, but right now the best strategy I have is to try to accept gaining a few pounds.

I'd suggest a daily multivitamin. I didn't have my period for 11 months, but it returned 2 weeks after beginning to take a vitamin. I dunno if it was the iron, or just getting more nutrients, but I was impressed.