My GP says it may be due to my weight; I am underweight for my height, but I am not drastically skinny so I do not see why my weight should be an issue. What about female athletes with low BMIs, such as Paula Radcliffe? They surely get periods, even though they are very slim. I don't think I'm a "late bloomer" as I started developing and stuff when I was about 11, and all the usual stuff has happened apart from the arrival of my period. Please help!
2006-08-05 11:10:21 · 23 answers · asked by bookworm89 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
It may not be a problem but you should know that even if you don't have your period you can still get pregnant. I knew someone that had the same problem and they thought they couldn't get pregnant but did.
2006-08-05 11:27:47 · answer #1 · answered by toomuchtime 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go back to your gp and ask to see an endocrinologist (hormone specialist). It is unusual not to have started by the age of 17 so I would suggest you need your hormone levels etc tested.
If you are being honest about your weight, it sounds as though you are only a bi under weight, which shouldn't really effect your periods.
It sounds as though your hormones haven't "kick started" your ovaries enough for ovualtion to occur. If it is this, simple drugs like "clomid" can be taken to get them to work. Once they are working you should be able to come off the drugs. This is only my suggestion though, not a medical opinmion.
If you feel your dr is not taking you seriously, then it might help to take someone older with you. A parent is a good choice, or an older friend or cousin maybe? It might just help make the dr see you are concerned. Hope this helps.
2006-08-06 04:48:08 · answer #2 · answered by Cazza 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being underweight can stop your mestruation. I was anorexic as a teen and I stopped menstruating for 2 years. You might also need to check whether you might have a hormonal imbalance like PCOS which means you do not produce enough of the right hormones to trigger ovulation. I'm surprised your GP didn't think to test you for this.
Female athletes and dancers often stop menstruating if they are very slim and their bodies are under a lot of stress from training, its not unknown. You need a certain ratio of fat in your body to allow for production of the correct hormones for menstruation and when these women get to a point when they are all skin, muscle and bone and the fat isn't there then the menstrual cycle stops until they regain that fat.
2006-08-05 11:25:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw a documentory recently and basically it said that in past generations girls got their periods later in life due to poor quality foods and malnutrition giving them a low bodyweight. Nowerdays girls are better fed and have periods younger because of this. If you are very thin you will not get periods as your body is basically in a state where your weight is so low that your body could not sustain a pregnancy and as such nature will not allow you to gat periods. It's like when someone is dying of dehydration they will not waste water by sweating.
Many athletes do not get periods because of this and girls with eating disorders will stop getting their periods until they resume normal eating and gain weight.
2006-08-05 12:06:44 · answer #4 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go see your doctor. Believe it or not your weight can and will play a part in the development of your body. It gets way more technical than what I could tell you. But you asked a question and my best answer is go to see a gyno. ASK alot of questions do not be shy!!! You will then get all the answers you need and gain a little bit of knowledge.
2006-08-05 11:16:51 · answer #5 · answered by jasmine b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the weight has nothing to do with all this, and i think that what's happening to u could very natural because it depends on the area that you're living in and the climatic changes, it depends also on your psychology and your alimentation. This may also be caused by some genetic reasons.
And all this means that you have to consult a doctor to get rid of all the doubts.
2006-08-05 11:43:45 · answer #6 · answered by hasna 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many studies indicate that a woman must sustain a certain percentage of fat in order to successfully conceive. I think your GP may be out of his league. Go see an OBGYN who specializes in a woman's reproductive health. He or she can run a few basic tests including a thyroid test and take it from there. I think your answer will lie in a few tests and probably be easily corrected. I hope you get what you need and try not to worry. Help is out there.
2006-08-05 11:18:39 · answer #7 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, women who are underweight, including athletes, often do not get their periods. You said you're underweight for your height, which can be enough to not get periods. Go back to the doctor and talk about ways you can gain some weight healthfully.
2006-08-05 11:13:49 · answer #8 · answered by cjsmommy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to worry at all. First of all it depends on the family. If this is usual for girls in your family than you don't have to worry at all. I'm 17 myslef and i had my periods when I was nearly 13 years old, but this is pretty normal at my family cuz my sister had them nearly at this age too. So I repeat that you don't have to worry cuz I know people who have had them even when they were 18. And I don't really think it depends on the weight. Anyway. Don't worry again. bye
2006-08-05 11:24:32 · answer #9 · answered by LITHIUM _ 女の子 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd get another opinion. Being underweight could have an impact but I would find a good gyno and not just a GP for this. Good luck.
2006-08-05 11:14:14 · answer #10 · answered by Lori 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋