In this episode of The Med Edit Podcast, Dr. Jessica Gray and Dr. Cari Sorrell shine a light on a condition that affects countless women — but is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed entirely: Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA).

HA occurs when the brain senses that the body isn’t in a safe or nourished enough state to sustain a menstrual cycle. It accounts for nearly 30% of secondary amenorrhea in reproductive-age women, yet many don’t realize their missing period is a medical red flag, not an inconvenience.

To break it all down, we’re joined by Cynthia Donovan, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Health Coach, founder of Recipe for a Period, and host of The Period Recovery Podcast. Known online as The Period Nutritionist, Cynthia specializes in helping women restore their periods through nutrition, mindset, and sustainable lifestyle changes.

• How the hypothalamus controls reproduction
• Why periods stop when the brain perceives stress or energy deficiency
• Common misconceptions (no — this isn’t an “ovary problem”)

• Low energy availability (undereating, overtraining, or both)
• Psychological stress, burnout, chronic pressure
• Perfectionism and “wellness culture” influences
• Why body size alone does not determine who gets HA

• Why missing periods should never be ignored
• How to distinguish between two commonly confused conditions
• Why identifying the root cause is essential for long-term health

Missing your period affects far more than fertility. Cynthia highlights risks like:

• Bone loss and osteoporosis
• Low hormone levels
• Metabolic changes
• Thyroid disruption
• Mood and energy impacts

• Increasing energy intake
• Reducing high-intensity exercise
• Rest and nervous system regulation
• Breaking perfectionistic or restrictive habits
• How to “redefine health” outside of diet culture

Cynthia shares:

• Nutrition strategies for restoring a healthy cycle
• Day-to-day adjustments clients make
• What realistic timelines look like
• How her programs support women through the process

Rapid-fire myth-busting on:

• “Losing your period is normal if you’re fit.”
• “Only underweight women get HA.”
• “Your period returns immediately once you eat more.”
• “HA only impacts reproductive health.”

• Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline on HA
• Cleveland Clinic: Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Guide
• PMC Articles on HA & metabolic impacts
• @period.nutritionist on Instagram
• The Period Recovery Podcast

Clinicians — claim your CME credit for listening!

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LinkedIn: Dr. Jessica Gray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Jessica-gray-md/

LinkedIn: Dr. Cari Sorrell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cari-sorrell-42545a7b/