Women and Exercise (Not men suggested)

moochachip

I have been exercising for several years, and then went through a eating disorder for one of them. While my period slowed down when I was just working out, my cycle stopped during the disorder. I went to the doctor, they gave me medicine, and told me to lay off exercising. I did this for several months.. Then jumped back into exercising.

I haven't had my cycle for several months now, and am still taking my medication. I am always 100 calories or so around my suggested calorie intake, so it's not like I am starving myself. In fact, I've gained several pounds (though that may be due to the fact that I upped my water intake.)

Have any other girls experienced this?

IveLanded

It's very very common for female athletes to have fewer periods. It's not really a problem you need drugs for unless you are trying to get pregnant. But it's nothing really "wrong" with you......it's just what happens when you are super active. It's true...if you go back to a less active lifestyle, your periods will usually return to a more normal pattern. Personally, I'd love to get to a place where my period went away

badgerbadger1

The best answer will come from your doc.

Depending on your current stats, bmi, bf%, and how severe your eating disorder is/ was, your body fat may still be too low or your hormones haven't yet recovered to normal, stable levels. If you're eating at the calorie allowance you listed in your profile and are exercising moderately (not an extreme calorie burn) I think you are doing a fantastic job in your recovery. Make sure you are getting all your nutrients in, take a multivitamin, and try to be patient. You're not going to be without your period forever, it will just take some time for your reproductive system to "feel safe enough" to restart normal reproductive function. Additionally, never make changes to your medication without talking to your doctor first, not that you suggested that you were going to stop. I don't know what you're on, but it sounds like it's working and you wouldn't want to upset your recovery.

Best wishes and happy lifting!

acksaysbillthecat

Agreed with badger: best answer from your doc. Especially gynecologist rather than regular doctor. They understand this better.

I went through the same thing when I was in college. I ate 1200 calories a day (I am 5/5 and hit 150 lbs which triggered me to start a diet). AFter 4 months in, I stopped my period and I developed eating disorder (just didn't want to eat at all). My usual weight was 133. I hit 125 lbs and no period( notice I was only 7 lbs under my normal weight and no period). AFter the doctor described what damage was being done to my internal organs, that's all I had to hear!!!!! I started eating again. It was hard but I did it. It took about 2 years total and some group therapy and I kicked it in the butt, never had eating issues again. That was almost 20 years ago!

However my period did come back and yours didn't. So I would definitely ask the doctor about this. Maybe you still need a little more fat on your body??? You know that many hormones produced out of your ovaries are produced from cholesterol, so that is why I suggest you may need a little more fat.

Sincerely,
Clare