Hypothalamic amenorrhea is a common medical condition in women of childbearing age with eating disorders.
The body enters survival mode, periods stop, and women cannot reproduce.
Learn more about what causes it, the consequences, and how it is treated.
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It receives input from throughout the body in the form of hormones and other chemical signals.
The hypothalamus responds by secreting hormones that affect several organs including those involved in reproduction.
An energy deficit happens when a person eats too little compared with the energy they expend.
A chronic energy deficit causes body mechanisms to conserve fuel for critical body processes.
Less vital body functions are put on hold.
This includes reproduction, which can actually be hazardous to survival when energy is insufficient.
A diagnosis of HA is only made after other causes of amenorrhea are ruled out.
Simply put, our bodies need fuel to function optimally.
Depriving the body of what it needs contributes to various problems, including loss of menses.
Low-fat diets are a common culpritour bodies need fat to function optimally.
It is important to point out that some women lose their period at higher weights than others.
A common misconception is that one needs to be extremely emaciated to lose ones period.
However, hypothalamic amenorrhea can occur at higher BMIs as well.
Exercise
Exercise contributes to HA by burning excessive energy, leaving less available for bodily functions.
Overexercise also can increase stress hormones, including cortisol.
These effects can mimic menopause and all the physical and psychological changes that it works on the body.
Appropriate weight gain is acting like the most important predictor of menstrual resumption.
The underlying HA still needs to be addressed and birth control pills may only mask the problem.
Now What?".
Studies have shown that birth control pills do not help prevent further bone loss.
Therefore, birth control pills are not generally considered as a treatment for HA.
For most women with HA, recovery requires eating at least 2500 kcal per day.
Full-fat dairy may be particularly good for stimulating ovulation.
You may not want to gain weight, thinking that you already feel healthy.
However, your body disagrees with you if you are not menstruating due to HA.
Try gaining a few pounds and see what happens.
You may be pleasantly surprised to see your cycles resume.
Exercise Less
Recovery is also facilitated by eliminating intense exercise.
Faster recovery is associated with cutting exercise entirely.
Slower recovery is achieved when exercise is reduced in intensity or duration or both.
Running seems to be one of the exercises that makes it hardest to regain natural menstrual cycles.
Stress Management
Research shows that reducing stress can help with recovering from HA.
However, the absence of regular cycles is not normal.
You are encouraged to see a medical professional and ask about the possibility of a diagnosis of hypothalamic amenorrhea.
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