I have a question....I was speaking to my sister on the phone today and she mentioned (yet again) that she has not had her period (menstruating) for over four months, she rarely has it lately. She has gotten extremely thin lately (5'6, 110-112) and had 12% body fat. She is not training but has irrational eating patterns (eats a lot one day...a few days nothing). I know this may be a problem and I am worried about her. I do not have a lot of information on this and I believe I had heard that some women experience this when they reach a certain body fat?? Any other information would be appreciated so I can pass it along to her.

Mandi

My wife had this problem (secondary amenorrhea) when she was in high school and had a very low bf%. She was prescribed a birth control pill which made her cycle regularly again.

I would suggest your sister see her physician both for the mentrual issues as well as the eating issues.

A large amount of weight loss or gain can cause anovulation (no mentrual cycle) as can stress or extensive exercise. Anorexia nervosa is often accompanied by secondary amenorrhea.