Worried about what I'm doing to myself... am I ok?

Question

Well a while ago i got ill and lost a lot of weight (I went from 60kg to 45kg in 2 months) which caused my periods to stop. After they did not come back for almost a year my doctor told me that the only way to get them back was to gain some more weight. When i got to 50kg they started to come back so didnt try to gain anymore weight even though my doctor wanted me to gain another 5kg. Since then i have lost weight because i preffered being how i was, and my periods have gone again, which doesnt bother me anymore but my mum gets really worried about it. I tried to hide it from her but shes realised it now and wants me to go back to my doctor and see a psychiatrist or something because she thinks i
Im harming myself on purpose or have an eating disorder or something. I really want to know if I'm damaging my body by not getting my periods, and if I'm healthy? I tend to go unconscious quite a lot and I'm always cold but I don't know if this has anything to do with it. I'm 15, 5"8 and 46kg

Answer 1

yes, you are harming yourself. At 5'8 you should weigh atleast 130. You are more than 20% under your ideal body weight.

You may be suffering from anorexia:
Symptoms:
Loss of at least 3 consecutive menstrual periods (in women).
Not wanting or refusing to eat in public.
Other symptoms are: anxiety, weakness, brittle skin, shortness of breath, obsessiveness about calorie intake.

Medical Consequences of anorexia?

There are many medical risks associated with anorexia. They include: shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, permanent failure of normal growth, development of osteoporosis and bulimia nervosa.


It really is unhealthy. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances from severe malnutrition can be fatal.

Answer 2

Well 45 kg is about 100 pounds, and for a 5'8" girl, I would definitely say that is underweight. The loss of your periods means that you aren't getting enough nutrients that your body needs. This lack of nutrition could definitely affect you later in life regarding infertility and osteoporosis. I think an important question is: What are you doing to lose this weight so quickly? If you are starving yourself or doing drugs, then no you are not healthy and yes, you are damaging yourself. Some people just have a very skinny build, and that could be your case, but otherwise, I would advise for you to take your mother's advice and go see a physician or psychiatrist before this does develop into an eating disorder and things get out of hand. Good luck with everything!

Answer 3

I'm afraid you are harming your body. The fact that you are going unconscious, is definitely not a good sign. At 5'8", you are very thin. And we do have periods for a reason. I would suggest visiting your doctor, and trying to gain back some of the weight you lost.

Answer 4

You already know that your mom is right. You are afraid to go back to the doctor because you don't think you can stop and you don't know if you want to stop.
You have to learn to like yourself in a different way. Your self worth is based on how you look. Maybe you should start looking for things about yourself that cannot be changed by weight.
You need to get to a doctor and get some help before you start losing your teeth and have permanent esophogeal damage. You already know this. Until you decide to help yourself, nothing anybody tells you will benefit you.

Answer 5

Oh, honey, if you keep this up you are going to be dead! Why do you hate yourself so much? Yes, you are harming yourself. You need help for your anorexia RIGHT NOW.

I was exactly where you are the year my youngest daughter was born. My husband was having affairs with teenage girls. I too was 5'8" and 100 lbs. Believe me, right now you look like an Aushwitz survivor. I know you can't see it, but you are hurting yourself.

Your Mom loves you, and would never do anything to hurt you. Let her make that decision for you if you must, but see a specialist in eating disorders now. You have a long haul ahead of you. It will not only take years to heal your damaged body, but your damaged mind as well.

Answer 6

If you are not getting your periods and it is weight related that means you don't have enough body fat. Your body stops the period when it thinks it is starving. If you are 5'8" and just over 100lbs., that is pretty skinny. I suggest you do put on the added weight your doctor suggested. Going unconscious is very serious and being cold al the time is your body telling you that there is not enough insulation to protect you against the elements. Please listen to your body.

You are probably anorexic and don't relaize it. Please don't damage your body any more, get help. You will still look good but you will be healthy too. Take care.

Answer 7

No, you are not ok at your weight. Your body is letting you know that. I believe that you do have and eating disorder. Please see a doctor. Your body is not getting the proper nutrients. It is effecting your blood sugar levels. That's why you are cold and passing out. Your bones and organs will suffer, too. The weight your doctor wanted you to gain was so that you would be within the normal range. Take his advice and if you are still struggling to do it, you need more serious help.

Answer 8

You are too skinny for your height, you should gain some weight and be healthy. If you are passing out and are cold all the time that is a good indication (besides not having your period) that something is not right. Start eating and exercise so that you gain muscle mass and not too much fat.

Answer 9

well going unconscience is never good and being cold might be from the weight. if you are 5'8" then you can gain at least 10 and look good. but what my question is why is your height in inches and your weight in Kg. seems fishy to me. but 100 pounds on 5'8" is real thin in my book. and with your body stopping the period thing yeah something wrong

Answer 10

The problem sweetie is if you ever want to have kids you need to gain that weight back to get regular again. Not because you have to be having a period in order to get pregnant but because you will mess up you fertility abilities by not having one. Your hormones will get all messed up and then you will screw up your chances. If that does not bother you then do not worry about it. It still will cause other problems. Your hormones need to release and that is how we do it. Haven't you heard of female athletes that do not have periods because their body fat is to low. They become manly. Because women still have testosterone, and if that is higher then your estrogen what do you think will happen?!?