(questions) Pictures and Periods

I know its not the best thing for someone recovering from an ED to look at pictures of other women to compare themselves to,  but I've been trying to find sites with healthy/athletic women yet I still can't seem to tell if I'm looking at someone realistic (healthy) or not.  Does anyone know any sites?

Also, I was wondering if there are any healthy ways to regaining your menstral cycle while remaining slightly underweight (I'm about 18.3).  I'm not promoting being underweight, EDs, or any harmful behavior, etc; I'm merely curious b/c I haven't had one since August 23 and I'm having a hard time allowing myself to gain these last few lbs of fat..I dunno..I just see these other girls skinnier than me talking about their periods, and I have a hard time understanding how they can have them when I still can't.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated

i had been getting my period normally while I was on the birth control pill.  As soon as I went off it, my period stopped for three months.  I was frantic and went back on it again for a week, and lo and behold a week later my period appeared even though i was then at my low weight (this was at the VERY beginning of my recovery).  I've also heard of people eating LOTS of fats to get it to come back.  When you'll get it again is different for everyone and depends on how your body responds to the percentage of fat in body...if its too low you won't get your period.  I've also heard that the hormones in soy products helps.

The only factor I can really see affecting my period is the amount of exercise I get. Whenever swimteam season starts up, it's gone; whenever I'm taking a break it comes back.

It's really kind of silly, in my opinion. It's like I can't be an athlete and still feel like a young woman.

my bmi is 18.4 and i have just started getting my period back (lost it at 19.8 actually, lost a lot and have gained some back). but that just goes to show that weight doesn't have everything to do with periods. i would make sure youre eating at least 30% fat in your diet. also, my period came back about 2 weeks (hadn't had it in 11 months) after starting to take a multivitamin, so you could try that.

also, i would assume youre getting enough calories now if youre in recovery, but that's an important part too. this is especially important if you exercise a lot, which is another reason why you can stop getting your period.

best of luck!