How I got my period back naturally after losing it for 10 years | HA Recovery Advice, Tips and Q&A

In this podcast episode, Sarah Liz King shares her personal experience with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) and how she recovered from it. She discusses the causes of HA, which include under eating, over-exercising, and stress, and shares five things that helped her recover from the condition. She also emphasises the importance of self-care, patience, and seeking personalised advice for recovery. Sarah also answers questions from her audience related to weight gain and overshoot weight gain during the recovery process. Overall, Sarah's personal experience and advice provide valuable insights for anyone struggling with hypothalamic amenorrhea or other related conditions. Here are some key moments you won't want to miss: Overview of Hypothalamic Amenorrhea [00:01:06] Sarah Liz King explains what hypothalamic amenorrhea is, its causes, and how common it is. Sarah's Story [00:04:22] Sarah shares her personal experience with hypothalamic amenorrhea, including how she lost her period for 10 years and her struggle with an eating disorder. Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis [00:09:06] Sarah discusses her experience with doctors and their misdiagnosis of her condition, including being told she had PCOS. The Discovery of Hypothalamic Amenorrhea [00:11:10] Sarah shares her experience of discovering that she had hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) after attending a talk by author Kate Callahan. She talks about how she had been searching for a diagnosis for 10 years and how reading Kate's book helped her understand the condition. Five Things Sarah Did to Get Her Period Back [00:14:15] Sarah shares the five main things she did to recover from HA and get her period back. She talks about the importance of eating more, adjusting her exercise, proactive stress management, sleep, and patience. Adjusting Exercise Down Significantly [00:18:02] Sarah talks about how she had to adjust her exercise down significantly due to a back and pelvis injury she sustained in a car crash. She shares how she went from training intensely to walking and rehab, and how this was a blessing in disguise for her period recovery journey. Finding Calm [00:19:58] Sarah talks about how she coped with chronic pain by finding activities that helped her feel calm and at peace, such as driving to the beach, listening to a podcast, meditating, or doing breathing exercises. Gaining Weight [00:20:53] Sarah discusses how she had to gain weight during her recovery process, which was uncomfortable and required her to change her clothes multiple times. She explains how body fat plays a role in our hormones and how it's important to accept that our bodies will change. Patience and Consistency [00:25:37] Sarah emphasizes the importance of patience and consistency in the recovery process, as it took her several months to get her period back. She also mentions the importance of personalized advice and sustainable changes. Self-Care Activities [00:29:18] Sarah Liz King talks about her self-care activities, including getting fresh air, taking rest days, exploring new hobbies, and spending time with friends. Digestive Discomfort and Accepting Weight Gain [00:30:18] Sarah Liz King discusses how she handled digestive discomfort during her recovery and how she accepted weight gain after a long time of trying to control it. Factors in Recovery and Helpful Practitioners [00:36:32] Sarah Liz King talks about the factors in her recovery, including exercise, diet, and stress, and the practitioners who were most helpful, including a dietitian and a psychologist. Overshoot Weight Gain [00:37:30] Discussion of overshoot weight gain, redistribution of weight, and set point weight. Best and Worst Things During and After Recovery [00:38:52] The best thing was the return of libido, while the worst was the physical discomfort of weight gain. After recovery, the best thing was the reversal of osteopenia, and there was no worst thing. Conclusion [00:40:30] Wrap-up of the episode and a call to action for listeners to share the podcast on Instagram. For more information, resources, and to connect with me, visit my website at www.sarahlizking.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and TikTok @sarahlizking. ❤️ Join my newsletter list for weekly motivation and inspiration and you'll also receive a FREE copy of my eBook "Body Confidence (for life!) guide" https://sarahlizking.com/email-list/ ❤️ Ready to get your period back? Join my online program Healing HA to help you recover your period while improving your relationship with food, exercise and your body. Find out details and sign up here: https://sarahlizking.com/healing-ha/ ❤️ Take the next steps towards full recovery by checking out our signature coaching program, Recover and Thrive https://sarahlizking.com/recover-and-... ❤️ If you enjoyed this episode please give it a thumbs up and share any comments or questions you have.