Why don't I have "normal" signs of an ED?

[AmIThinYet?]

I just wonder why I don't get the "typical" signs of having an ED. I'm 15 (almost 16), have a BMI of 14.9, and still have my period. I guess thats the symptom I don't understand the most. Don't most people lose theirs around a bmi of 16 or 17 right? How could I be at 14.9 but still have mine??? I have a lot of the other typical symptoms but not all. It's not that I necessarily WANT them but I feel right now what I'm doing isn't bad and it won't hurt me (even though it does). I also almost wish I had them so someone would realize I have a problem... I'm sick of always hiding everything from everyone.

[KoH.]

BMI doesn't have much to do with periods. It's the dramatic loss or gain of weight that causes the absence of periods. Please work on getting your BMI to the healthy range, but don't take this too seriously. It says that the BMI scale is only beneficial for adults, but that's still nothing to go by.

[Pixiesglimmer]

I'm also at a BMI of 14.9 but I still get periods. I think like KoH. said it has to do with how fast you lost the weight.

[weightlessrunner]

Whether or not you menstruate is to do with hormones, not weight.

[LiquidSunnshine]

Whether or not you menstruate is to do with hormones, not weight.

Also to do with nutrient levels. If your body is really low in nutrients then it can stop periods in an effort to protect itself from expending those nutrients unnecessarily.

But a lot of women don't lose their periods even when very underweight. It really depends on each individual body. It's like some bodies think of it as a more essential process to keep going, so it stays even when very underweight, while other body's don't think it's very important so they shut it off faster.

Nothing to do with the person's personality, purely a physical imperative as determined by the body (unconsciously)

I hope that made sense.

[comeonrainbow]

Years ago when I first became ill, I lost my period. Since then everytime I've relapsed I've never lost my period completely and I've had a bmi of less then 14

[tidbits37]

Saying something is related to hormone and "not" weight doesn't make sense. The amount of fat in your body is directly related to your body's hormones. So too much or too little fat can really mess with your hormone levels.

Most likely your body is just being unique and happens to be okay with menstruating at that BMI. Bodies are weird like that and don't always follow the "rules."

[weightlessrunner]

Saying something is related to hormone and "not" weight doesn't make sense. The amount of fat in your body is directly related to your body's hormones. So too much or too little fat can really mess with your hormone levels.

Most likely your body is just being unique and happens to be okay with menstruating at that BMI. Bodies are weird like that and don't always follow the "rules."

Actually hormones aren't completely weight related. Yes, weight is a contributing factor to hormonal levels but so are many other things. Saying that her body is unique is redundant. Everyone's body is unique!

[kittycat]

I think you should be happy that you still have your period. I know being on period might be uncomfortable for some woman , but if you have no period you might never get pregnant.
And yea, if you eat healthy (no starving, purging ), just eat less you can still get your period. That means your body is still more healthy than for those who have no period.

[cricket3808]

I know this may sound cliche, but every body reacts differently. Some people may experience different symptoms than others or not experience them at all. Another example besides the period thing is energy level, blacking out, heat/cold, night sweats, etc. In treatment, some people get horrid night sweats and others don't get it at all. Some run hot all the time and others are freezing cold. For me, I grow fur (called linugo) --- though thankfully it's all on my stomach and butt so you don't see it; I switch from hot/cold all the time. And I've NEVER passed out surprisingly, even when I ate absolutely nothing for two weeks straight; yet others I know have passed out at much higher weights or just not eating for 1 day. Every one reacts differently, just becuase you experience or don't experience a symptom doesn't make you any more or less anorexic/bulimic etc.