187. Understand Hypothalamic Amenorrhea with Dr. Nicola Sykes, PhD and Gemma Lewis

You know when someone says, "Oh, that's normal", but something in your body clearly doesn't feel right? Maybe you've lost your period and brushed it off because you exercise a lot. Maybe a doctor waved it away. Maybe you've been praised for your discipline, your control, your "healthy" lifestyle, even while your body has been quietly asking for more. In this episode, we're having an honest, deeply human conversation about hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), disordered eating, and the ways diet culture disguises itself as wellness, especially in athletic, high-achieving bodies. Tweetable Quotes "It is not normal to not have a period." - Dr. Nicola Rinaldi "I had prided myself on my body because I thought I was very healthy. What I came to realize was that I was not, and I was abusing my body in a lot of ways." - Gemma Lewis "I told countless people in my life that I didn't have my period, and nobody had ever said that. Nobody had ever asked me, 'Are you not concerned about the long-term implications of this and what you're doing to your body?'" - Gemma Lewis "Our society really encourages that. Our society encourages exercise more, eat less." - Dr. Nicola Rinaldi "I Googled 'how can I get my period back without gaining weight'. There is no good answer out there." - Gemma Lewis "HA can happen to anyone in any body size." - Dr. Nicola Rinaldi "You are more than your body." - Dr. Nicola Rinaldi  Resources Looking for a speaker for an upcoming event? Let's chat!  Now accepting new clients! Find out if we're a good fit!  Dr. Nicola Sykes website Connect with Dr. Nicola Sykes on Instagram No Period, Now What? Period Recovery Community  REVEAL Study Grab my Journal Prompts Here!   LEAVE A REVIEW + help someone who may need this podcast by sharing this episode. Be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter here! You can connect with me on Instagram @rachelleheinemann, through my website www.rachelleheinemann.com, or email me directly at [email protected]