heelp

Hello, i am 15 and i had lost weight recently. I am 5'3 and 108 pounds. I haven't had my period for 5 months. What should i do???

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Weight loss can stop periods. It all depends on why you are losing weight. One possibility is that you have an eating disorder. In which case taking help from a doctor specialized in treating eating disorders will help. On the other hand you could be having some other problem.
There are many other causes like worms in stool, depression, anorexia nervosa, AIDS, cancers especially colon cancers, drug abuse, infections and loss of appetite. Loss of appetite can again be due to certain medications, drug abuse, depression, AIDS, acute and chronic infections, cancers and hypothyroidism. Either you do not eat well or there is increased metabolism as in hyperthyroid states, HIV, cancer etc. Poor absorption as in irritable bowel syndromes and malabsorption syndromes too is possible. Malabsorption syndromes are seen in intestinal tuberculosis, HIV, tropical sprue, parasites in stool and Whipple’s Disease. Diabetes too can be the cause.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral. Once weight loss is treated you may regain your periods. Take care!