While many women dread “that time of the month” (cramps, bloating, PMS), an estimated 1 in 5* active women would give anything for “that time of the month”—after losing their period and wanting it back.
Hypothalamic amenorrhea is a condition in which you miss your period for 3 or more cycles due to a problem involving the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the control center in your brain that regulates many physiological processes, including reproduction.
If your hypothalamus isn’t working correctly, hormones such as FSH, and LH shut down and stop communicating to the ovaries to produce adequate estrogen and progesterone for reproduction. Ovulation and menstruation stop, leading to missing periods.
Although amenorrhea may seem like a “Get Out of PMS Free” card (no more tampons, mood swings or Ben & Jerry indulgences!), regularly missing your period can lead to a host of health issues, including:
- Risk for osteoporosis and loss of bone density
- Hormonal imbalances
- Fatigue and lowered energy
- Low libido
- Low mood
- Leaky gut
- Infertility
- Disease or illness (such as thyroid disorders, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-PCOS, or ovarian cysts)
Why am I not having my period?!
If you’re reading this, chances are, you are fairly aware of what “being healthy” looks like: You workout most days of the week. You eat your fruits and veggies. You drink plenty of water. You try to get enough sleep each night.For the most part, you feel pretty good.
So what gives if you’re doing everything right?!
“Your female hormone balance is very delicate and requires A LOT of support (via nutrition and lifestyle) to remain balanced and happy.”
Here are common triggers that can throw your hormones and period out of balance:
- Under-eating.
- Low-protein, Low-fat diets and low-carb diets.
- Poor quality foods (i.e. diet foods and packaged, processed foods).
- Gluten-intolerance
- Low body weight or low body fat (lower than 21%).
- Being overweight.
- Poor digestion.
- High dairy consumption.
- Overtraining.
- Not sleeping enough
- Birth control, and other prescription medications
“These triggers link to STRESS. When your body is stressed, your hormonal balance is stressed, setting up the perfect storm for amenorrhea.”
So how do I get it back?
There is not one magical answer. A number of factors can play a role in getting your period back naturally, including:
De-stress.
Identify the top stressors in your life (mental, emotional and physical). Make a plan to eliminate these with action steps to counter them. Other stress busters include: cutting the caffeine, yoga, acupuncture, massage, meditation, walks, mental health days off work, finding a hobby, people connection, artistic and creative endeavors, volunteering and simply doing nothing at all.
Heal the Gut.
Approximately 75% of us experience some sort of GI distress. And when we aren’t digesting appropriately, hormonal imbalances occur. Improve your digestion: Chew your food thoroughly; Drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water each day (bonus: add lemon); And incorporate a probiotic, fermented foods and/or digestive enzymes into your supplemental protocol.
Cut the Gluten.
Typical problems with gluten include: diarrhea, stomach pain, and bloating. However, in women sometimes gluten-intolerances present as infertility, lowered estrogen and irregular cycles. Cut the bread, cereal, crackers and pasta for at least 30-days and see if it makes a difference. While you’re at it, consider cutting other gut irritating foods (Splenda, packaged bars and powders, frozen dinners, etc.).
Eat Enough (Especially carbs and fats).
Generally, if you’re active and you are not consuming at least 1800-2200 calories, 100-150 grams of carbs and 30% of your calories from healthy fats per day, you are under-eating. When your body isn’t getting enough energy, it will do everything it can to hold on to its reserves (making fertility secondary to survival mode).
Get off the Hamster Wheel.
Chronic cardio and multiple training sessions in the same day may give you a sense of accomplishment, but overdoing it only breaks your body down. Scale back or mix things up. Consider consulting with a trainer that is aware of your health goals who can help you find a plan that works for you.
Be a Sleeping Beauty.
Your circadian rhythm is your body’s ‘biological clock’ that controls metabolic processes at certain times throughout the day—hormones included. If your hormones aren’t released at the appropriate times (due to lack of sleep), then your reproductive system won’t receive the adequate signals needed to regulate your cycle. Aim for 7-9 hours for general wellness. Tough? If anything, take time to close your eyes, meditate and recharge (20-minutes of meditation is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep on the body!).
Supplement Smart.
Natural vitamins and minerals, such as a B-complex, magnesium, Vitamin D and Zinc, along with Omega-3’s and often times, adrenal support, can promote healing. Consult with a nutritional therapist or other knowledgeable healthcare practitioner for an individualized protocol.
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