The Hidden Health Risks of Missing Periods for Women

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 UnsplashDisclaimer: 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-amenorrheaHendrickson-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/bnab015Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023, August 11). Metabolic bone disease. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/metabolic-bone-diseaseUpadhyay, 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.2014.10.021Shufelt, 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-0037-1603581OrthoInfo. (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/10.1186/1472-6874-5-12National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. (2025). Eating disorder statistics. https://anad.org/eating-disorder-statistic/#generalCompton, 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 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit katelyneweber.substack.com