What is going on with my period?

When I was over-restricting calories last year, I lost my period for about 4 or 5 months. I got it back after upping my intake. Actually it came back after one of my "worst" days, in which I pigged out on chocolatey cakey things all day (at a party). I thought it would be pretty regular from then on; I haven't had a day in which I ate less than 1800 since. But it hasn't come back for about 2.5 months. I don't understand it. Every day I eat an average of 2000 calories, and I don't think I overexercise. I mean, all I really do is about 40 minutes every day or two. Not much more than the average athlete. What can I do to bring it back? (And no, I'm not pregnant, I took a pregnancy test.)

Also, I'm about 5'4 and 125 pounds. I'm pretty muscular. I lost about 15 pounds in the past year. So is my body just taking time to adjust to this new weight?

I also had this - i lost about 6 pounds, bringing me to a healthy weight of 115 at 5'3and i lost my period for a couple of months. I went to my doctor and she said it would come back if i ate enough (like 2000ish to maintain, not lose weight) and cut down a bit on my running (which wasn't that much, just like you are doing).  It came back after that and was irregular for a while and then was ok.

So i would guess that you should eat as much as you can without gaining weight, and don't up your exercise any more, and it should come back, albeit a bit irregularly. If you really don't want to put on weight it is prob not worth gaining it to get your period back if you dont need to (cos you'll only want to go lose it again afterwards). And you seem to be a healthy weight. 

Having said that, you should prob go to the doc and get it checked out if it doesn't come back next month - they might have some suggestions. I have read that it is mostly down to the energy in and energy out balance, and not body fat so much (unless you have abnormally low, like less than say 15% for a woman?). Mine is low i reckon as i have a bit of muscle from all the rock climbing i do.   

Reckon some people lose their period really easily - my sister still had hers even when she weighed less than me when i lost mine. Think it depends on whether it was really that regular to begin with. Hope this helps,

Kate

Wow, thank you. So good to hear that this has happened to someone else. Really appreciate the advice!

Just chek out if you have enough cals from fat in your diet. I knwo that can make you skip your period

I'm pretty positive I do. I put olive oil on/into a lot of what I eat and I have dessert every day (lots and lots of ice cream). I eat a good amount of cheese / low fat dairy products as well. I guess it's just calories overall... I hope my body figures out what's going on soon.

Another reason why it may not have returned is you stressing over it.  Stress is another thing that can cause the cessation of your period.  Since it sounds like you are eating enough, then just relax and try not to worry about it.  I know that can be difficult, but try.  And I second the idea of seeing your doctor.  Good luck.

And in case you are wondering why I would know anything about periods (being a man), I have a teenage daughter who I helped research a paper on the subject for her health class.

Very true. lol just a little insight, everytime my period is a day or 2 late I think I'm pregnant (obviously not your case) but freaking out about it makes it stay away! Swear!

Try not over-thinking it. Eat peanut butter/avocado/nuts. If your eating enough (which sounds like you are) then you have nothing to worry about. Some thin/athletic women (naturally- not ED) have issues with their periods. I did too for a long time until I was put on birth control to regularize it. Now its pretty regular!