From keto diets to carb counting, many of us have learned to fear what our bodies were designed to need. Today we’re diving into why carbohydrates are essential for hormone health, fertility, and energy—and how eating them is key in period recovery.

Photo by Tara Evans on Unsplash

Disclaimer: While I am a Holistic Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Practitioner, I am not your personal HA coach or a medical doctor. This content is for informational purposes only and not to be used as a substitute for professional medical/nutritional advice, treatment, or therapy. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance.

References:

Dienel G. A. (2019). Brain Glucose Metabolism: Integration of Energetics with Function. Physiological reviews, 99(1), 949–1045. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00062.2017

Dupont, J., & Scaramuzzi, R. J. (2016). Insulin signalling and glucose transport in the ovary and ovarian function during the ovarian cycle. The Biochemical journal, 473(11), 1483–1501. https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20160124

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, January 31). Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11647-hypoglycemia-low-blood-sugar

Strain, G., Zumoff, B., Rosner, W., & Pi-Sunyer, X. (1994). The relationship between serum levels of insulin and sex hormone-binding globulin in men: the effect of weight loss. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 79(4), 1173–1176. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.79.4.7962291

Barbe, P., Bennet, A., Stebenet, M., Perret, B., & Louvet, J. P. (1993). Sex-hormone-binding globulin and protein-energy malnutrition indexes as indicators of nutritional status in women with anorexia nervosa. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 57(3), 319–322. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/57.3.319

MedlinePlus. (2022, December 14). SHBG blood test. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/shbg-blood-test/

Nutrition and Athletic Performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 48(3):p 543-568, March 2016. | DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000852

Meyer, K. A., Kushi, L. H., Jacobs, D. R., Slavin, J., Sellers, T. A., & Folsom, A. R. (2000). Carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and incident type 2 diabetes in older women. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71(4), 921–930. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/71.4.921

Burén, J., Ericsson, M., Damasceno, N. R. T., & Sjödin, A. (2021). A Ketogenic Low-Carbohydrate High-Fat Diet Increases LDL Cholesterol in Healthy, Young, Normal-Weight Women: A Randomized Controlled Feeding Trial. Nutrients, 13(3), 814. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030814

Marshall, N. E., Abrams, B., Barbour, L. A., Catalano, P., Christian, P., Friedman, J. E., Hay, W. W., Jr, Hernandez, T. L., Krebs, N. F., Oken, E., Purnell, J. Q., Roberts, J. M., Soltani, H., Wallace, J., & Thornburg, K. L. (2022). The importance of nutrition in pregnancy and lactation: lifelong consequences. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 226(5), 607–632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.035

Desrosiers, T. A., Siega-Riz, A. M., Mosley, B. S., Meyer, R. E., & National Birth Defects Prevention Study (2018). Low carbohydrate diets may increase risk of neural tube defects. Birth defects research, 110(11), 901–909. https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.1198

In this episode, we’re diving into the hidden health risks of hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) that go far beyond fertility. From bone and heart health to mood and brain function, I’ll unpack what the science says and why missing your period is more serious than it seems. Together, we’ll explore how caring for your cycle is part of stewarding your body well and trusting God with your health and limits.

Photo by Samantha Sheppard on Unsplash

Disclaimer: While I am a Holistic Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Practitioner, I am not your personal HA coach or a medical doctor. This content is for informational purposes only and not to be used as a substitute for professional medical/nutritional advice, treatment, or therapy. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance.

References:

​​Cleveland Clinic. (2025, August 11). Hypothalamic amenorrhea: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24431-hypothalamic-amenorrhea

Hendrickson-Jack, L. (2019). The fifth vital sign: Master your cycles & optimize your fertility. Fertility Friday Publishing Inc.

Mills, E. G., Yang, L., Nielsen, M. F., Kassem, M., Dhillo, W. S., & Comninos, A. N. (2021). The Relationship Between Bone and Reproductive Hormones Beyond Estrogens and Androgens. Endocrine reviews, 42(6), 691–719. https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnab015

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023, August 11). Metabolic bone disease. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/metabolic-bone-disease

Upadhyay, J., Farr, O. M., & Mantzoros, C. S. (2015). The role of leptin in regulating bone metabolism. Metabolism: clinical and experimental, 64(1), 105–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2014.10.021

Shufelt, C. L., Torbati, T., & Dutra, E. (2017). Hypothalamic Amenorrhea and the Long-Term Health Consequences. Seminars in reproductive medicine, 35(3), 256–262. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1603581

OrthoInfo. (2021, August). Healthy bones at every age. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/healthy-bones-at-every-age/

Rybaczyk, L. A., Bashaw, M. J., Pathak, D. R., Moody, S. M., Gilders, R. M., & Holzschu, D. L. (2005). An overlooked connection: serotonergic mediation of estrogen-related physiology and pathology. BMC women’s health, 5, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-5-12

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. (2025). Eating disorder statistics. https://anad.org/eating-disorder-statistic/#general

Compton, J., Van Amelsvoort, T. and Murphy, D. (2001), HRT and its effect on normal ageing of the brain and dementia. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 52: 647-653. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0306-5251.2001.01492.

Sato, K., Takayama, K. I., & Inoue, S. (2023). Expression and function of estrogen receptors and estrogen-related receptors in the brain and their association with Alzheimer’s disease. Frontiers in endocrinology, 14, 1220150. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1220150

In today’s episode, we’re talking about limits—a concept our culture resists but Good designed for our good. I share how striving to be limitless led me to lose my period and how God used hypothalamic amenorrhea to teach me dependence, rest, and surrender. Together, we’ll revisit Psalm 139 to see how our limits reveal His limitlessness and how true freedom begins when we stop trying to be God.

Photo by Anwaar Ali on Unsplash

In this episode of The Period Recovery Movement Podcast, I share my journey with anorexia to shed light on what living with an eating disorder is really like. We’ll unpack the deeper roots beyond food or appearance—control, fear, shame, and survival—and talk about what true recovery looks like through both a scientific and faith-based lens.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Disclaimer: While I am a Holistic Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Practitioner, I am not your personal HA coach or a medical doctor. This content is for informational purposes only and not to be used as a substitute for professional medical/nutritional advice, treatment, or therapy. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance.

References:

Sterling, W., & Crosbie, C. (2023). How to nourish yourself through an eating disorder: Recovery for adults with the Plate-by-Plate Approach®. The Experiment.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. (n.d.). Eating disorder statistics. Retrieved August 13, 2025, from ANAD website: https://anad.org/eating-disorder-statistic/

Saadedine, M., Kapoor, E., & Shufelt, C. (2023). Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: Recognition and management of a challenging diagnosis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 98(9), 1376–1385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.05.027.

ED Matters. (2021, January 25). Episode 225: Dr. Margo Maine: Eating Disorders in Midlife and Older Women [Audio podcast episode]. In ED Matters (GURZE/SALUCORE). Spotify.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. (n.d.). Eating disorder statistics. Retrieved August 13, 2025, from ANAD website: https://anad.org/eating-disorder-statistic/

In this first episode of The Period Recovery Movement Podcast, I’m sharing some my personal story of recovering from hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), a condition where your period stops due to stress, overexercise, and undereating.

I’ll walk through the twelve key things that shaped my healing journey.

If you’re struggling with HA, an eating disorder, or feeling stuck in the cycle of perfectionism and control, this episode will encourage you that full recovery is possible — not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally too.

Highlights:

* What had to change in my heart before I could heal hormonally

* How faith and science worked together in recovery

* The 12 keys that built the foundation for lasting freedom

Disclaimer: While I am a Holistic Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Practitioner, I am not your personal HA coach or a medical doctor. This content is for informational purposes only and not to be used as a substitute for professional medical/nutritional advice, treatment, or therapy. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance.

Today we’re diving into what hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) actually is.

You might have found this term after Googling “no period for months” or “how to get my period back.” In this episode, we’ll unpack what HA is, how it’s diagnosed, common symptoms, and why it happens.

We’ll cover:

* The difference between HA and RED-S

* How HA is diagnosed and key lab markers to look for

* Common misconceptions (like confusing HA with PCOS)

* The deeper connection between stress, undernourishment, and hormone health

* Why your missing period is actually your body’s way of protecting you

Whether you’re just learning about HA or in the middle of recovery, this episode will help you understand the science behind your body.

Because your body isn’t broken. It’s communicating. And when we learn to listen, nourish, and rest, we honor the One who created it.

Disclaimer: While I am a Holistic Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Practitioner, I am not your personal HA coach or a medical doctor. This content is for informational purposes only and not to be used as a substitute for professional medical/nutritional advice, treatment, or therapy. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance.

Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition on Unsplash

Resources:

Study on HA and PCOS.

Link to blog post with lab values:

In this episode of The Period Recovery Movement Podcast, we’re diving deep into what God says about our bodies.

For so long, many of us have separated our faith from our physical bodies, as if they were unrelated. But Scripture tells a different story. From Creation to Restoration, God reveals that our bodies are good, purposeful, and sacred places where He chooses to dwell.

Join me as I unpack four foundational truths about our bodies through the lens of the gospel story. Together, we’ll explore how:

* God created our bodies good

* Our bodies belong to Him

* We are both body and soul

* And one day, our bodies will be fully restored

If you’ve ever struggled with body image, disordered eating, or period loss, this episode will help you reconnect your faith to your physical body—and see your recovery as part of God’s redemptive work.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash