Trying to get period back... anyone have any success? If so, please share your secret!!

Ok, I never thought I would want my period as much as I do now.  I have not had my period since October 2007 (6 mos) and want it back.

I'm currently on my way to become healthy (both psychologically and emotionally) and have been trying to gain weight (29 yrs old,  and most recently 87lbs - however it's been 2 weeks since I weighed myself last).  Any advice on what has helped any of you get your period back??  I've been consciously been adding more fats to my diet and have even heard of some positive impacts of soy.  I've since also decreased my cardio and tried to work on shifting my stress levels (which I know can also play a role in missing your period).

Aside from gaining weight, which I'm successfully working on, any advice on how I can get my period back?  Are there some foods that work better than others?!

Only a doctor can help you with this. It's a serious issue. You are currently very at risk of never being able to have children, which you may already know.

Your body needs time as well as added weight in order to recuperate. Do not be impatient, because given the extremely low weight you are at now, it may take a year or two for everything to get back to normal.

Relax, gain weight and seek medical help. You need BOTH a gynecologist and a psychiatrist to help you get well again. The latter is important to give you the mental support you need, getting rid of an ED and waiting for things to get better are both excruciating tasks.  

i agree that you need to go to a doctor but I had the same problem and I stopped getting my period then I got it back after I ate avocados and fatty foods....

you need to eat more to get your period esp fat . i am sorry but that is true and it is worth it if u want children in the future, relax and best of luck...

Go and see gynecologist as soon as you can....It can have serious impact on ur child bearing capacity. Only doctor can help you at this point.

I was under weight for long time (good old days) but never had problem of missed periods though they used to be irregular

 

 

Thanks all for the response.  I've seen my gyno and she told me that I am fine for now, but I do need to increase weight.  I just wasn't sure if there was anything that accelerated the process.  I will definitely continue adding the fat back (and more than I do already) and see what happens. 

I do want children, sooner rather than later - it's definitely a motivator for me.  When I was at my lowest (very much lower but 6 years ago - had a slight relapse but making my way back), I never lost my period as I was on the pill, now that I'm off, I want to naturally get my period back (plus it helps push with the need to gain weight).  BTW- I'm slightly under 5'1 so I'm not as underweight as it seems.  I know I need more weight as my BMI is too low but I also have a small bone structure as well.  My docs said I should at least get to 95 (BMI = 18.5).

Good tip on the avacodo's... did you eat them with anything in particular.  I love them in sushi but would be interested in any tips for eating them at home.  I'm a big PB person but it seems like that is not enough... on to the guac! :)

Thanks again!!  I appreciate the support!

It's good your gyno said you are fine. One more thing though, other than eating more fats and getting to a healthy BMI: make sure you get plenty of physical and mental rest. In other words, take time out and relax. I struggled with amenorrhea in the past, related to weight loss, malnutrition, and extreme stress. It was plenty of rest that helped. Spend a few mornings/afternoons in bed. Works like a charm.

Hi I just went from 85 (I'm 5"2.5) to a healthy weight but I still struggle with weight issues.  I'm 19 but I didn't have my period for two years and just got it back this Christmas.  I had to gain a lot of weight (15 pounds) and eat food with SATURATED fat.  It goes away if I restrict saturated fat.  Avocados didn't do the trick for me.  I had to have ghee (clarified butter - it's Indian) and coconut meat.  Red meat helps too, if you're not a vegetarian.  Even lean cuts of meat have a lot of saturated fat.  Especially beef and pork.

Whole milk and avocados do help me maintain my period though.  Avocado is good when it's cut in half and sprinkled with sea salt (or herbs if you worry about sodium).  Salt is really the best, though.

Hi,

I have recently been on anti-biotics which stopped my periods and I felt like I was constantly suffering from PMS. There are plenty of natural herbs that will help to regulate your hormone cycle:

Evening Primrose Oil capsules (as well as being a form of GLA - gamma linoleic acid which make up the 'good fatty acids you need)

Agnus Castus - a natural herb in capsule form which can help with PMS as it regulates your hormones.

I've done a quick search on some of regular website (I'm studying to be a Naturopath) and here are some of the herbs I've found:

Chaste Tree

Peony

Licorice (not in the sweet form though I'm afraid) :-)

Black Cohosh

If you need any information, feel free to send me an e-mail, I'd be happy to help!

Jule

how long has it been since you started eating more and healthy? It took me about five months to get mine back, I increased my cals and added more fat to my diet (mainly peanut butter). So it may take awhile and don't get discouraged quickly.

Keep gaining weight, keep increasing your intake of fat, and it will come back in time. By the time you reach a healthy weight (BMI 20) you should have it back. As long as you stay at a healthy weight and don't restrict your eating from then on, you can hope for a full return of fertility etc.

Hi,

I can't really talk about this with out crying, but here I go.. I had a friend die from Addion's Disease last fall. Really wasn't fall yet, but she died from this.. She had a number of problems, and when she worry she didn't eat, and  she couldn't eat much from her TMJ she lived off of eggs and peanut butter, anything soft for a while.. But her gyno sent her to another doctor to do blood work after losing her period for over a year.. She was 43. She was eating around 1200 calories on most days, and had to force down 500 on her bad days. Anyway.. Addison's Disease is known as the wasting Disease caused by failure of the adrenal glands to function normally and characterized by skin color change, low blood pressure, and weakness.. I can remember her trying to live but the addison's and everything else won after all. She had high dreams of having children. Never had them.. Just because she could never keep the weight on.. She also was a recoving from a eating problem.. I don't like to use that name.. But you know what I mean. Please, go see some more doctors, and get some blood work done, and try to eat some more fat. Like peanut butter and eggs for more portein. Please!

I'm not saying this is you, but the body is a funny thing, and it has to tell us things by using things we will notice to show us that we are hurting ourselves. Not saying you are hurting yourself. But I'm just saying please be careful, and go se your doctor again about this. Please!

You will probably get it back when you hit right around 105 pounds.  That is kind of the target weight where your body knows it has enough in reserve to incubate a child, so that is when it typically menstruates.  Good luck and keep eating healthily. :)

Good luck to you. I just bought avocados, cut them in half and eat them just like that. :)) if you like to add avocado to something like yogurt or cottage cheese, you could do that. or just eat one or two avocados a day.

Thank you all so much for your help and support!  I've been trying the increase in fats.  In fact, I ate an entire avocado by itself yesterday and I must say it was delicious!  I actually ate it plain, it was that good.  I do love cottege cheese and may have to try the avocado/cottege cheese combo.  I've also been adding more calories to my daily intake only for about 1 month so I may be getting a little impatient. 

PB is definitely one of my staples... I've always had it, now I just eat more.  I've never really tried taking herbs/supplements (as julez82 suggested) but will definitely give it a try.

Lynnhaslost, I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend.  I appreciate your support and did call my doctor to be sure my body is ok - specially that I'm not going to become infertile.  You are right, our bodies have a mind of their own and life is just too precious to not take care of ourselves.  I have been working with a therapist (I've been a recovering anorexic and through therapy for too long - an unfortunate relapse a little while back... however, I'm stronger than ever!!).  My sincere condolences to you.

Thanks again everyone... I feel much more hopeful.  Come on period... :)

hey i'm in the same boat as well! i need my period back and ive been enjoying my late night snack of a bunch of peanut butter with kettle corn. my advice isnt any different from everyone elses, healthy fats, you know. just have fun with what you eat. eat a bunch of new fats and food but remember stay healthy (: ive read your posts and we have the same exact problems, although your older, maybe we can help eachother! im 14 89 pounds and 5'1. i want my period so bad bc i want kids some day and im to young to get rid of it. helpp?

My period has also been missing for around 8 months now due to undereating and stress (I think). Does this mean it is impossible to get pregnant during this time?