I lost my period while trying to reduce weight. How can I get my periods back?

Question

Hello doctor,

When I first got my period I was 14 years old and weighed about 88 lbs. Four months back, I weighed 123 lbs and I decided to drastically change my eating habits to the healthier side since my cholesterol levels were a bit high. I also decreased the calories I consumed from 2500 to 1000 or 1500 because if I was not going to eat junk food, why eat so much? Well, I lost my period and in the span of 2 to 3 months, I lost about 17 to 19 lbs . I realized my mistake was the drastic change in eating habits and calorie intake and not so much the less eating since when I first got the period I ate very little in general. I have stabilized my weight and eating habits for about two months and still no period. I am extremely worried that I may become less fertile or even completely infertile because of this. What do you suggest that I do in order to get my period back? Also, some days ago I decided to try herbs, more specifically Vitex agnus-castus, for 3 or 4 days and even though I have not read online anything about side effects I got eczema on my arms. I have a past with eczema. First, when I was a baby it was a bit serious and I had to get medication (Cortisol). Recently, two months ago, I got very little on one arm but it was gone in a week. Now it is the third time and it is a mild case on my arms. I know that I will have to consult a dermatologist to get rid of the eczema but I felt like you had to know this in order to give me more accurate advice. Please help me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

By reducing weight you have definitely improved your fertility potential. But you have overdone it. For a height of 5.6 feet, ideal weight is 160 to 167 lbs. A minimum weight is needed for regular periods. When you suddenly reduce too much weight, the condition called anorexia nervosa occurs. Your brain controls the hormones needed for regular periods. So, when that balance is distributed, no ovulation occurs, so no periods. The sudden weight loss may reduce your immunity too. I am not advising you to put on weight. Avoid junk food and overeating. Have lots of healthy diets, no fried items or sweets. You can have vegetarian or non-vegetarian, but not fried, no oil. Have lots of protein, egg whites, fish, nuts, sprouts, and so on. Most importantly, have lots of aerobics, exercise. Then eat more. Over time your health will improve. To have regular periods, have any of the birth control pills, once at night for 2 to 3 cycles. This will regularize your hormones. Gradually you can tide over that allergies too.