Today's episode of Holistic Health Radio is a collaboration between myself and ‪@FlourishWithCiandra‬ a recovery coach based in the UK and host of the podcast Recover to Flourish.
Ciandra was kind enough to have me on her podcast to share more about the intersection between eating disorders and hypothalamic amenorrhea. In this episode we discuss:
-Our own personal experiences with eating disorders and missing periods due to hypothalamic amenorrhea
-What causes hypothalamic amenorrhea and which types of eating disorders or disordered eating does it impact?
-Discussing the reasons why a person might be afraid to recover their period during eating disorder recovery
-Common misconceptions and dispelling myths such as a missing period making you "sick enough" or a recovered period signifying full recovery from an eating disorder or disordered eating
-Types of exercise which are safe to engage in during hypothalamic amenorrhea recovery and which types to avoid
-Tips for anyone beginning their hypothalamic amenorrhea recovery journey.
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Connect with Ciandra on KZread ‪@FlourishWithCiandra‬ or follow her on Instagram here: / flourishwithciandra
Here are some moments from the episode you won't want to miss:
Introduction [00:00:01]
Sarah Liz King introduces herself and her work as an exercise physiologist and health coach, focusing on helping women regain their periods and have a healthier relationship with food and exercise.
Collaborative Discussion [00:01:13]
Sarah Liz King and Ciandra introduce themselves and discuss their backgrounds as recovery coaches, setting the stage for the upcoming discussion on eating disorders and hypothalamic amenorrhea.
Understanding Hypothalamic Amenorrhea [00:06:01]
Sarah Liz King explains what hypothalamic amenorrhea is, how it is diagnosed, and the role of the hypothalamus in regulating reproductive hormones. She also discusses the three main factors that contribute to hypothalamic amenorrhea: under fuelling, over exercising, and stress.
The importance of understanding hypothalamic amenorrhea [00:11:41]
Discussion on the significance of understanding hypothalamic amenorrhea for recovery from eating disorders.
The connection between periods, health, and eating disorders [00:13:44]
Exploration of the relationship between periods, health, and eating disorders, debunking misconceptions and highlighting the impact on different individuals.
The role of having a period and its importance for the female body [00:19:32]
Explanation of the various roles of hormones, particularly oestrogen, in bone health, heart health, mental health, muscle building, libido, and overall well-being.
The importance of stable blood sugars [00:23:12]
Discusses how stable blood sugars contribute to mood stability and the energy needed for neurotransmitter production.
The role of the period beyond fertility [00:23:37]
Explores the misconception that the period is only important for fertility and highlights its other roles in the body.
Actively working to regain the period [00:24:19]
Shares the speaker's personal journey of actively trying to regain her period and the factors that made it easier for her.
Exercise and low energy availability [00:34:10]
Discussion on different types of movement and exercise that can contribute to low energy availability and hypothalamic amenorrhea.
Tips for hypothalamic amenorrhea recovery [00:36:56]
Importance of being compassionate to oneself and not comparing to others in the recovery process.
Beginner's guide to getting started with hypothalamic amenorrhea recovery [00:37:52]
Advice for those starting their recovery journey, including not overwhelming oneself with too much information and seeking personalised guidance and support.