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Loss of period due to eating disorders: cause and solution

In a society full of beauty obsession and social media, it is not surprising that some people suffer from eating disorders. Eating can quickly become a test of endurance. But there are not only the anorexia (Anorexia Nervosa), which is characterized by restrictive eating habits and underweight, but also other forms, such as Binge eating disorder Eating disorders can be very individual and fluid and often cause serious physical consequences. Periods, especially the absence of periods, often go hand in hand with eating disorders. You will find out why this is the case and what you can do about it in the rest of this blog post. 

How many types of eating disorders are there?

There are three known eating disorders , which you may have already heard of. These include anorexia nervosa, which is also known colloquially as anorexia, bulimia and, last but not least, the so-called binge eating disorder. Eating disorders often present themselves in mixed forms and do not necessarily appear in their pure form.

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What does it mean to have an eating disorder?

When you hear the word eating disorder, alarm bells should immediately ring, because it is a serious illness. Immediate treatment is urgently required. But you are now wondering what an eating disorder actually means? Signs of an eating disorder are that those affected are constantly thinking about Food and weight Anorexia nervosa, for example, is expressed through the fear of gaining weight. Those affected control their food intake and also often suffer from a body image disorder. They perceive their body as "too fat" even though they are underweight. Bulimia is a "binge eating disorder" in which those affected are also afraid of gaining weight. People with bulimia often have eating binges, which are then followed by self-induced vomiting.Do you also know which Symptoms belong to the binge eating disorder? We want to look at this now too. With this eating disorder, sufferers have eating attacks even though they don't actually feel hungry. With this eating disorder, unlike with bulimia, for example, no method of weight regulation is used after the eating attacks. By the way: Eating disorders do not stop at gender! Anyone can suffer from an eating disorder, regardless of gender.

Which eating disorder is most common?

Now that you have heard about the three most common eating disorders, you are probably wondering which form is the most common. In fact,  Binge eating disorder is the most common, although it is probably not talked about as often. The second most common is bulimia, followed by anorexia nervosa. When people in our society talk about eating disorders, the first thing that comes to mind is probably anorexia, although it is the least common of the other two forms. 

What are the causes of eating disorders?

Are you now concerned with the question of what can actually trigger eating disorders? Various Causes which we would now like to explain to you:


  • Genetic predisposition to eating disorders (also exists for other mental illnesses)

  • Family problems of those affected

  • Traumatic experiences can also lead to eating disorders

  • Beauty ideals in our society form a basis for eating disorders

Why no period if you are underweight?

If you have ever dealt with eating disorders, you will have probably come across the fact that periods can stop if you are underweight. But why is that actually the case? Being underweight is generally a condition that can have various effects on the body. This includes the phenomenon of missing periods that we have just mentioned, which is also known in technical jargon as Amenorrhea Amenorrhea can have many faces and one of them is the result of strict calorie restriction and a low percentage of body fat. Would you also like to know the other reasons for the absence of a period? Then you can get more information about it here. Did you know that being underweight and the associated low body fat percentage can result in the Hormone production can no longer function as normal? This limits the production of estrogen in particular. This then has a huge impact on the period. In addition to being underweight, the low intake of calories also means that the period suddenly stops coming. The reason for this is that the body is no longer supplied with enough nutrients. Hormone production also plays an important role here, because sufficient calories are necessary for it to function normally. If menstruating women compulsively save calories, as is the case with anorexia, for example, then the period will quickly disappear.


However, it may be different if there are increased fat cells, as is the case, for example, in people with Obesity is the case.In this case, it is not a lack of estrogen, but an excess of it. This excess does not stop your period, but rather causes it to be longer or heavier.

What should I eat to get my period back?

Underweight, low calorie intake and suddenly your period has gone. But what can you eat now to get your period back? First of all, it is of course important that you gain weight so that you are no longer underweight. Because being underweight and having a low calorie intake do not go well with a regular period. After all, fat tissue is crucial for producing enough estrogen. It is therefore important that you do not skip meals and do not overdo it with exercise. balanced diet is the be-all and end-all, so your diet should include not only fruit and vegetables but also healthy fats such as nuts or seeds. You also give your body the energy it needs in the form of whole grain products and legumes. Would you like to learn more about which foods you should eat in each phase of the menstrual cycle?  Then you can find out here. Once your period returns thanks to a normal weight and sufficient calorie intake, you can continue to benefit from a proper diet. Did you know that Groceries that can help keep your menstrual cramps under control? Likewise, there are also culprits that can drive up symptoms. Read this information here.

At what BMI does your period stop?

Weight gain is all well and good, but at what BMI does the period start again? You may have heard that there is no BMI value that promises the return of the period for everyone affected. However, there is a guide value of 18.5 , in which those affected by eating disorders are back to a normal weight. But people are so individual that differences can naturally occur here. For example, it can also be the case that your period still doesn't come after anorexia nervosa, even though you are already at a normal weight. Stress or other psychological stress that can arise from eating disorders may play a role here. It could also be that your calorie intake is still too low. Seek help from your doctor here too.

Is it harmful not to have a period?

It depends on the reason why your period is absent. While it can be completely normal for periods to be irregular and sometimes absent during puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause, there are also causes that are worrying. If you suffer from amenorrhea over a longer period of time, you may experience symptoms similar to menopause. This includes the classic hot flashes, but other symptoms cannot be ruled out. It is also worrying, for example, if your bone density decreases, keyword osteoporosis, or the possibility of heart or vascular disease increases. We at Taynie find these symptoms worrying and a quick search for help is more than recommended at this point.


Amenorrhea and Desire to have children ? As you can probably imagine, if your period doesn't come, it can also mean that your eggs aren't released.Unfortunately, the long-awaited desire to have children is then no longer possible, because if the release of the egg cell can no longer be guaranteed, then pregnancy cannot occur.

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