TTC after Amennorhea.

[MahnaMahna]

Hi.

I wondered if anyone had lost their periods due to exercise or low weight and if they managed to get them back and conceive.

How did you go about doing it?

[RaRaZ]

I did when I was younger - my periods came back about six years ago and I've been pg three times since then - but all within the last year. Mind, I wasn't constantly sexually active for the entire six years and I was mostly using contraception up till last summer. So yes, it's worked for me - and I'm hoping it does again bloody soon like!

Do you mind if I ask your circs?

[MahnaMahna]

I'm recovering from anorexia. I already have a Daughter, she's 13 months. I'm just going through weight restoration therapy, but once I'm better we would love to have another. I'm just worried that my periods might not come back. I also have PCOS so it took a long time to get pregnant the first time around.

[RaRaZ]

So did you conceive your daughter before you became anorexic? All of the research I've read suggests that your fertility returns to normal when your weight returns to normal and that, so long as you haven't been severely underweight for many years, there shouldn't be any future problems. If you don't mind me asking, what's your BMI? Mine was 14.7 at its worst I think. That was many years ago mind, but I've recovered fine now and my fertility seems ok so far - touch wood.

Are you having your hormone levels monitored or anything like that? I've just got booked in for my Day 21 bloods to check I'm ovulating - might be a good idea for you to do the same once your periods return.

[blueamber]

Hello, I was underweight a while ago. My periods never stopped, but that was because i was on the pill. The doctors said if it hadn't been for the pill I definitely would not have had any periods. I have been on the pill since then until a few months ago, but have been a heathy weight for a long time and my cycle seem to be returning to normal now.

It's not just about the weight though, psychologically you have to be sure you're ok now as well. Even though many women feel good in pregnancy, after birth the chance of relapse is greater as they develop body issues. It's also not good for the child to see their mother have a bad relationship with food as they might copy that.

[MahnaMahna]

I had issues with food before having my daughter but they were never this bad. I just thought I was picky and slim. When I found out I had PCOS and wasn't ovulating I managed to gain some weight and eventually conceived just as we were about to start a course of Clomid.

This has come about since Christmas. DH lost his job and I was going back to work and it all just stressed me out. I didn't even realise what was wrong with me until my family intervened. I'm on the mend now, and I want to be completely right in my head before I even start TTC.

At the moment my BMI is 15.1 so it isn't great. I'm aiming eventually for 20, and I have a wonderful team of people helping me. I'm 100% positive about recovering, I'm just worried that I might have caused some lasting damage. It would upset me so much if I couldn't give my daughter a sibling. She loves children so much x

[Thyeternalsummer]

Never really had periods as a teenager - they started when I was 13 but they never fell into a regular pattern and I'd never have more than 5 a year. Same for most of my early/mid twenties. I'm a small build and have always exercised regularly.

Anyway, started taking microgynon when I eventually queried lack of periods and got regular withdrawal bleeds whilst taking them and then managed to conceive within a month of stopping. Expecting my first baby in the next couple of weeks.

[RaRaZ]

You won't conceive with a BMI of 15.1, OP. That's scarily low - I remember the state I was in when I was like that and my heart goes out to you. It's a really really shitty place to be in. But if you're really 100% positive about recovering, you CAN do it. If you ever doubt that, do it for your daughter: do it so you can give her a sibling. You'll be ok.

Eternal : Congratulations! That's amazing