I thought people lost their period's when they became underweight, not this...

MuddyBoots · Jun 28, 2025, 09:57 AM

Literally just was forced to the hospital for a "critically low BMI." I've NEVER had a regular cycle in my life--the closest to it I ever got was getting 4 periods in 3 months like every 15-30 days (nothing the 4 years before that and nothing the 6 months after that).

But the last three months I've had bleeding towards the end of the month every month? I don't know if it's heavy enough to be a "period" (before when I menstruated it'd be like soak a super plus tampon AND pad in like four hours, now I just wear a pair of period underwear, maybe a light or regular tampon at the heaviest of times that lasts 5-6 hours. It only lasts like 3-4 days too, not anywhere from 5 to 16 days like before.

Idk, I know one of the old criteria they got rid of for anorexia was amenorrhea, but this is kinda the opposite where I get "dangerously underweight" (only according to my psychiatrist, not the MDs at l'hopital) and for the second time in 15 years post menarche have three months of something resembling a regular cycle?

Anyone have any kind of explanation?

divine1966 · Jun 28, 2025, 04:11 PM

It’s common to not have it due to malnutrition and/or extreme stress.

My grandmother was an army nurse during WWII (European front/combat/dragging wounded soldiers from the field kind of nursing), she said most nurses either didn’t have periods at all or had them very on and off (on and off was more common).

She once didn’t have it for the entire year, then it came back full speed in extremely uncomfortable situation (on the train with no supplies or accommodations).

Human body is so confusing. I’d say yes malnutrition causes disruption in a cycle but it doesn’t mean it can’t come back. Yours seems to be back for the time being but it’s not the same in terms of amount of blood

MuddyBoots · Jun 28, 2025, 04:13 PM

But it’s not “back” it’s like this regular pattern has appeared for the first time ever. Can malnutrition CAUSE your cycle to regulate?

unaluna · Jun 28, 2025, 06:08 PM

Maybe your body is reacting to the quality, not so much the quantity. Micro bits of macros are filtering in and your gonads are thinking it's go-time. A little chicken, a little fruit...

divine1966 · Jun 28, 2025, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuddyBoots

But it’s not “back” it’s like this regular pattern has appeared for the first time ever. Can malnutrition CAUSE your cycle to regulate?

That I wouldn’t know. I suspect that malnutrition wouldn’t cause cycles to become regular. But I am not a doctor.

I do know that my periods made no rhyme or reason and had no logic for the entire 40 years I had them.

unaluna · Jun 28, 2025, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966

I do know that my periods made no rhyme or reason and had no logic for the entire 40 years I had them.

They used mine to set the train schedules.

MuddyBoots · Jun 28, 2025, 09:37 PM

So basically for my hormones to be "normal" I have to eat like a person should, but just like 1/13th of the quantity?

unaluna · Jun 29, 2025, 01:24 AM

I don't know nuthin' 'bout birthin' babies!

Who knows how the body functions in extreme situations? Maybe it does math. The nutrition aligned to fill in one slice of the area under the curve at just the right time. My cousin had twins in her forties, all my aunties said that SHE said, oh god knew it was her last chance. Life wants to live. Its the weeds sprouting in cement cracks.

Tart Cherry Jam · Jun 29, 2025, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966

It’s common to not have it due to malnutrition and/or extreme stress.

My grandmother was an army nurse during WWII (European front/combat/dragging wounded soldiers from the field kind of nursing), she said most nurses either didn’t have periods at all or had them very on and off (on and off was more common).

She once didn’t have it for the entire year, then it came back full speed in extremely uncomfortable situation (on the train with no supplies or accommodations).

Human body is so confusing. I’d say yes malnutrition causes disruption in a cycle but it doesn’t mean it can’t come back. Yours seems to be back for the time being but it’s not the same in terms of amount of blood

I even encountered a special term for this phenomenon when I was reading up on the issue as a teen. Translated from Russian, it would be wartime amenorrhea.

Tart Cherry Jam · Jun 29, 2025, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unaluna

They used mine to set the train schedules.

Same for me back when I had them, before Morena. I knew when the next period would come to the hour of the day. Like clockwork.

MuddyBoots · Yesterday, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

Same for me back when I had them, before Morena. I knew when the next period would come to the hour of the day. Like clockwork.

Are you serious about the hour bit or is that an exaggeration? I'm surprised when people know what date they'll start. I'm just surprised when I start (unless I'm on a psych ward, that's kinda how I know I can probably expect to start).

Tart Cherry Jam · Yesterday, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuddyBoots

Are you serious about the hour bit or is that an exaggeration? I'm surprised when people know what date they'll start. I'm just surprised when I start (unless I'm on a psych ward, that's kinda how I know I can probably expect to start).

I started late, with menarche at 2 weeks shy of 16. First I was irregular - either 35 days or 21 days between periods. But on average, always 28. Than, within a year, the menses became regular, exactly 28 days, and to the time of day. I know it can seem surprising: I was once on a camping trip with my bff and we were going to cross marshlands next day. I told her: oh well, tomorrow afternoon (the hour) my period will start right when we will be in the marshes, and she was "How do you know?"

I knew from past patterns.

MuddyBoots · Today, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

I started late, with menarche at 2 weeks shy of 16. First I was irregular - either 35 days or 21 days between periods. But on average, always 28. Than, within a year, the menses became regular, exactly 28 days, and to the time of day. I know it can seem surprising: I was once on a camping trip with my bff and we were going to cross marshlands next day. I told her: oh well, tomorrow afternoon (the hour) my period will start right when we will be in the marshes, and she was "How do you know?"

I knew from past patterns.

Because everything has to be a problem, I’m dx’ing your reproductive hormones with OCD (not you, just the substances in you that affect your cycle).

Edit: mine have conduct disorder.

unaluna · Today, 10:33 AM

Mine were narcissistic - my gonads thought the whole effing world revolved around them. TBH, my parents encouraged them in this. I was just a vessel of no importance.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I never lost my period...so does this mean I'm not actually anorexic?	aloneinmusic	Anorexia	4	Jun 25, 2017 03:32 PM
I've not had the best interactions with people period over time.	Yismymindblank12	Relationships & Communication	2	Aug 27, 2015 04:34 AM
Lost in thought	Anonymous48690	Dissociative Disorders	4	Mar 24, 2015 06:30 PM
Dealing with a period of frustration following a period of excessive excitement	vafhj	Coping with Emotions	5	Sep 24, 2014 12:26 PM
spotting for 4 days, thought it was my period but it hasn't come!	the submissive	Women-Focused Support	15	Mar 16, 2013 08:54 PM

Menu

My Support Forums - Mental Health Support Groups

Get emotional support and friendship from others like you!

Our community offers: No spam. No trolls. No social media connections.

I thought people lost their period's when they became underweight, not this...

My Support Forums