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I Lost My Period for 10 Years: How to get your Period Back Naturally

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Officially 2 years of having a healthy and regular cycle! Today I am sharing my journey of healing and how to get your period back naturally if you have lost it. From eating more food, working out less, supplementation, and educating myself, I discuss the things I have learned along the way and what as helped me.

Picture of a woman taking a selfie with a big smile on her face

We are celebrating 2 years since I got my period back and having it ever since! While that might not sound exciting for some, it is a huge milestone in my life after not having a cycle for 10 years. I am so passionate about this subject I wanted to write up a post since I know so many women struggle with it.

Plate of a 2 fried eggs, veggies, and a bagel with half with cream cheese and half with nut butter.

If you are not familiar with my history, you can check out my health and fitness journey. That post is a very in-depth look into my diet and lifestyle the past 10-15 years of my life.

For a shorter version, I did not have a regular period for 10 years – I went on birth control in 2006 when I entered college. My cycle was never really regular and that is pretty much the go-to solution from doctors nowadays.

In 2008 I decided to go off birth control as I didn’t like how it was making me feel and was getting out of a serious relationship. Over the next 10 years, I struggled with food and fitness. I was very restrictive in my eating and over-exercised. I also lost 20-25 pounds over the next few years.

While I was never officially diagnosed with anything, I now know it was from over-exercising and drastically under-eating (hypothalamic amenorrhea). Running 14 miles a day, going to softball practice, and playing intramural sports while eating some yogurt and granola, fruit, and a veggie salad does not add up. Oh, and maybe some peanut butter so I wouldn’t go to bed completely starving.

I would also binge eat on the weekends to make up for all the food I didn’t eat during the week. This cycle of restricting and binging continued on for years. From 2008-2013, I had no period at all. The next 5 years or so (2013-2018), it would come randomly, but maybe only 15-20 times over those 5 years.

The importance of your period

To be honest, I liked not having my period for a while. No need to buy tampons, no worrying about it interfering with my social life, and being able to be sexually active without worrying about getting pregnant.

The thing is, your monthly cycle is extremely important – it is your monthly report card. When you don’t have a regular cycle (being on hormonal birth control is not a regular cycle and a fake bleed), your body is telling you something. It is shutting down that function because it does not feel safe and uses that energy for more important things, like breathing and digestion.

Having your period is your body telling you your hormones are working. That it feels safe and you are able to reproduce.  It is the way of your body telling you of your general health and if it is healthy or not. I know those are bold statements, but when you really think about it, it’s true. The same goes for the symptoms of your period.

I suggest reading this article from NCBI for a more thorough explanation of your period and hormones and how not having your cycle affects your body.

It wasn’t until a couple of years ago as I was approaching 30, I realized this wasn’t healthy and if we wanted to start a family one day, I needed to look into fixing this. Note – we are not trying to get pregnant right now, but I think it’s important to have healthy hormones regardless if you want kids or not.

Period repair manual book about how to get your period back naturally.

How to get your period back naturally

Getting your period back is not a one size fits all approach. There are many reasons why we might not have a healthy cycle, but there are a bunch of things we can do to help get it back. While everyone is different, here are things that I did to help get my period back:

Eating more food, especially carbs and fats, and stopping restriction of foods

Our body needs food to function. It needs the energy from the calories you eat to perform not only basic functions, but things like playing with your dog, doing the dishes, and running a few miles. From what I have experienced myself and through nutrition coaching, a lot of females are under-eating.

We are constantly told to eat less and workout more. That only gets you so far until your body catches up and you crash. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Carbs provide a good source of energy, support our microbiome, support our immune system, provide us with fiber to help eliminate waste, help with the activation of thyroid hormones, and have benefits for our period. The amount varies from person to person, but I would say most females need 150 grams of carbs a day for a healthy cycle. Low-fat diets can cause issues with females in the long term.

One of the main roles of fats and cholesterol is to help regulate hormonal function, especially estrogen and progesterone. We need healthy hormones to have a healthy cycle. A minimum of 60 grams of fat a day is usually a good starting place.

Most women need 1800-2000 calories a day according to the dietary guidelines! Then you add working out on top of that. And from what I have found, a lot of women under eat.

Making sure I was eating enough by tracking my macros

When you under eat for 10 years, it’s really hard to break that mindset. Tracking macros has helped me so much in ensuring that I am fueling my body properly for my activity level and lifestyle. It has also helped me so much in my food freedom and learning that all foods can fit. In my nutrition coaching, I work with others to help them learn this as well.

While this approach might not be for everyone, it is a great tool to use and is eye-opening to the foods we are eating (or not eating).

Decreasing my exercise, especially HIIT

I love the endorphins, the dripping sweat, and feeling like I died (wtf?!) in high-intensity workouts. The thing is, too much working out (since it is a stressor on our body) can have a negative impact on our body, especially if we are under-eating and already stressed. I now mostly do bodybuilding and lower intensity workouts and feel so much better.

Listening to my body

If I didn’t want to workout, I wouldn’t. If I wanted to eat pizza with my husband, I would. To be in tune with your body and not just pushing through a workout or eating salad and chicken because you think you should is a game-changer. More than likely, your body is telling you something.

Reducing Stress

Going along with what I said above, stress is a huge factor in our cycle. Have you ever been late on your cycle and realized you have been really stressed? It’s not a coincidence.

Stress impacts your hypothalamus, which is your master hormonal command center. If you are too stressed out, your hypothalamus reduces its signals to the pituitary, which helps with ovulation. Less signaling means less ovulation. Stress also increases cortisol and a chronic level of high cortisol can lead to HPA dysfunction (also called adrenal fatigue by some).

If you can, try to reduce stress. Whether it be from work, home, family, business, or whatnot. Running my own business is very stressful, but doing things like disconnecting from work/social media, getting outside, going on walks, getting out on the water, reading a book for fun, and cooking are super beneficial for me!

Educating myself

Learning more about healthy cycles, the female body, and hormones have been so helpful. Period Repair Manual (pictured above) is a great book for learning more about cycles. It breaks down your cycle and hormones, what a healthy cycle is, the effects of birth control and how it is not a period, ways you can heal your cycle, and more.

I believe everyone will benefit from reading this book whether you have your period or not. I reference it frequently and even send it to my nutrition clients that are struggling.

Currently, I do the fertility awareness method and track my cycle to have even more data about my body and hormones. Daysy (you can use that link for $15 off) has been so beneficial in learning when I am fertile, the duration of my cycle, and getting to know my own menstrual cycle.

Also using nutrition as a holistic approach – I am studying to be a nutritional therapy practitioner and diving into how food is so powerful to help heal the body.

This leads us to seed cycling…

Seed Cycling

I have a whole post on seed cycling, but it is a natural way to balance your hormones via food and has done wonders for my body. When I got my first period 2 years ago, it was a guessing game for when my next one would come. My cycles were around 37 days and sometimes pretty painful. But after years implementing these things and seed cycling, they are now around 28-32 days and are pretty symptomless.

Many women struggle and have difficulties with their menstrual cycle. This includes cramping, breast tenderness, painful periods, acne, irregular cycles, heavy or light bleeding, PMS, infertility, and more. These symptoms are usually our body telling us there is some kind of hormonal imbalance.

Eating the right seeds through your cycle phases (follicular and luteal) can help with improving symptoms and balancing your sex hormones, leading to a healthier cycle.

Four jars with different seeds in the (flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower) for seed cycling to get your period back naturally.

Supplementation

Food and lifestyle is such a powerful tool, but supplementation can be really beneficial as well. It is definitely not a one size fits all approach, but these can be great options.

  • magnesium – this mineral helps calm your nervous system and relax your muscles. It also has a role in the HPA axis and improves the function of your thyroid hormone and insulin. When we are stressed, which is a lot in the modern world, our magnesium is depleted. I like to take mine at night since it helps relax your body and can aid in sleep.
  • zinc – this mineral also helps regulate your HPA axis and helps with your stress response. It also is an anti-inflammatory and is essential for hormones, so a deficiency can cause period problems. It can also help with period pain!
  • vitamin D – I would suggest this if you get tested and are deficient. Also, if you don’t get outside that much. But vitamin D is so so important. It is essential for hormone function and the absorption of calcium (bones main building blocks).
  • Maca – considered a “superfood” and is an adaptogen and a member of the cruciferous family. It helps regulate hormones (can help boost testosterone and reduce excess estrogen).
  • Vitex – this can be an option if you have done a lot of things and you still don’t have your period as it supports ovulation. I would only suggest this for 3-6 months as it is very powerful. I would also read up on the effects and dosage.

Working with someone experienced

Back in 2018 I didn’t know what I know now and working with someone with experience can be super helpful! After years of knowing I needed to change, I needed someone there to help me along the way if I was actually going to change. To help me increase my food, listen to my concerns, and has experience with balancing hormones. There are plenty of nutrition coaches or RDs out there that specialize in this. Even I help women with this now!

Shout out to Laurie Christine King for helping me in my journey!

Telling myself this is what is best for my body

Sure eating more food sounds easy, but what goes on in-between our ears is really hard. Knowing that while I used to be 20-25 pounds lighter, that wasn’t my healthiest or best self. When we reverse diet and add food back in, there is a possibility that some weight gain is going to happen. And if it does, it is your body telling you it needs to happen to get to a healthy place.

This has definitely been a struggle over the years, but the more and more I feed myself well, lift heavy weights, and have a healthy relationship with food and fitness, the more I love my body and appreciate how strong and amazing it is.

A woman flexing in the mirror taking a selfie.

Foods that help you get your period back

I touched on this above, but carbohydrates and fat are really important for a healthy cycle. Like I said before, most women need 1800-2000 calories a day! Then you add working out on top of that. This list definitely does not hit on everything, but here are some things:

Carbohydrates:

  • sweet potatoes
  • white potatoes
  • squash – butternut, acorn, spaghetti, delicata…
  • pumpkin
  • rice – white, brown, wild…
  • quinoa
  • oats
  • ancient grains – barley, teff, farro, spelt…
  • vegetables – ALL of them!
  • plantains
  • fruit
  • beans and legumes – chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans…
  • lentils
  • sprouted bread
  • sourdough bread

Healthy Fats:

  • avocados
  • olive oil
  • coconut oil
  • avocado oil
  • ghee
  • nuts
  • seeds
  • olives
  • grass-fed beef
  • salmon (wild-caught if you can!)
  • whole eggs
  • bacon
  • cheese
  • full-fat dairy
  • nut butter – peanut, almond, cashew, pecan…
  • coconut milk (full fat in a can)
  • coconut butter

Foods for regular periods and how to get your period back naturally.

What I ate to get my period back

My diet is different from your diet, that is the neat thing about bio-individuality! A lot of the things I ate are actually listed above. With counting my macros and adding back in more food, I got to enjoy so many things I restricted for so long.

Some of my favorite things I ate to get my period back was all the potatoes (white and sweet!), white rice, oats, plantains, bread, full-fat dairy, cheese, coconut milk, grass-fed beef, and seeds from seed cycling. I also fully executed my food freedom and started to include things like pizza, bread, pancakes, muffins, ice cream, and desserts when I wanted to. Having these things when I wanted has really led me to a better relationship with food.

How to get your period back conclusion

Overall, this is what I found to help me get my period back. It was a long journey, but once I started implementing these things, my body thanked me for it. Not only did I get my period and am continuing to get my period, but I also live a much more balanced and sustainable life.

If you struggle with your period, know that you can do things to fix it. These are just simple things that could have a huge impact. They won’t ensure everyone’s period to come back but can be really beneficial to a lot of women. And do not wait until you want to have kids if you have period problems. These things can take years and having a healthy monthly cycle is a great way to get a glimpse into your general health.

If you have any questions or similar experiences, leave a comment below!

Girl taking a selfie holding a container of organic tampons.

Please note that I am not a doctor and this is my own personal experience. If you have severe hormone imbalances and need individual support, consult with a holistic practitioner.

This post may contain affiliate links and I may make a little bit of money if you click on and purchase the products that are linked. It doesn’t cost you any extra money. The compensation helps with expenses to keep ETG up and running. I truly appreciate your support!

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Comments

    • I do! I’ve been consistently doing it for about 2 years now. My cycle is better than ever and to be honest, I am a little nervous to stop as I don’t want that to change. I’m sure one day I will stop and I’m sure it would be fine, but right now it’s just in my routine so it’s easy.

      Reply

      • That’s great. Huge thanks for sharing this post. Clomid helps me to regulate my periods. So happy 😊 The typical starting dosage of clomid is 50 milligrams per day for five days, beginning on the third, fourth, or fifth day after your period begins. You can expect to start ovulating about seven days after you’ve taken the last dose of clomid. Hope this helps.

        Reply

  2. Hi! I’m experiencing the same problem right now and I don’t know where to start. I’m trying to eat more to gain weight but I am also afraid of gaining bad fats so i’m doing strength workouts. What workout/exercise can I do to have my period back but won’t gain a lot of fats? Any help would be great. And thank you for your blog I learned a lot. More power!

    Reply

    • Hey Danna, sorry to hear you are going through this. If eating more (which can be so beneficial for our hormones), I would suggest slowly adding food in. Anywhere from 50-100 calories every few weeks to allow your body to adapt to it. You can just add a little bigger serving of some foods to your plate at meals. Strength training is going to the most beneficial – it is lower intensity on our body (not like HIIT), which is what we want when trying to balance our hormones, and also good for body composition. When we have more muscle, our body is usually burning more throughout the day. Hope that helps! Happy to answer any more questions and hope you get your period back soon!

      Reply

      • Hi Kelly,

        I have not had a period in 3 years now. As soon as I came off contraception I never had a cycle. Your article is great and thanks for sharing your experience. I have also had very bad adult acne and suspect that this is related. I’ve just started to take adaptgens, maca, magnesium and zinc as supplements. I have not eaten dairy or meat in 2 years and basically my diet is all wholefoods. I eat a lot of vegetables. Do you have any further pointers on supplements? Also how long did it take for you to get your cycle back once you decided to try?

        Thanks

        Emily

        Reply

        • Hey Emily! Those are great supplements to start! Vitex can also be helpful if none of the dietary and lifestyle things you are tried are working. I talk about it above, but the Vitex should only be used for a short period of time. I would also make sure you are eating enough. While we want to get lots of nutrient-dense whole foods, a lot of them can be low calorie and not enough food in total for a whole day. Once I fully started to try, it took me about a year or so, but everyone is so so different!

          Reply

  4. Hello.. it has been 5months since I lost my periods and I am very afraid of it I want it back ..but I don’t want to leave my exercise because I love them..what should I do?? I had been cutting on my calories a lot and I think because of which I lost it..pls help ..

    Reply

    • Hey Ritupriya! Everyone is so different, but if you think you are undereating, you probably are. I would slowly add back in some calories and see if that helps. As for exercise, you can still exercise, I would just be mindful of the intensity and the amount you are doing. Exercise is really good for us, but we also need to be fueling properly for it. So if you add some food in, that should be okay!

      Reply

  5. Hi, I’ve lost my period for about three months now any tips on how to get a period back in the quickest way possible and without gaining weight? Like if I were to increase my oil and avocado intake one week would I get it back the next? Thank you

    Reply

    • Hi Emma! Unfortunately, it doesn’t come back quickly for some. I would make sure you are eating enough and not working out too much. Sometimes you do have to gain weight in order to get your period back for your body to feel in a safe place. If you do need to, I would slowly add food in little by little to help with not gaining excessive weight. A little bit bigger servings can help, and fat and carbs are important for our cycle. You could also try seed cycling if you wanted! Vitex can be a good supplement taken over a short period of time as well.

      Reply

      • Hello! I’m 16 years old and I’ve lost my period for 4 months. It happened because the diet that I did before was too strict. I regret it so much now! After much research on the internet, I decided to try to eat more and not exercise for a while. I’ve gained 0.4 kilograms by now. I wonder how much weight I have to gain to get my period back? Thank you! ❤

        Reply

        • Hi Agnes! Sorry to hear you lost it. Unfortunately, it’s hard to say how much weight you need to gain. I have weighed the same as I weigh now and didn’t have a regular cycle (because it was under eating). What you need to focus on is making sure you are eating enough. It is really important to be eating carbs and fat for your cycle. Dietary fat and cholesterol are precursors to our sex hormones. Adding some high-quality sources of carbs and fat can help – things like potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, whole grains, avocado, salmon, olive oil, seeds, and other things are great and are whole food sources. It doesn’t have to be a lot all at once, but adding some in or a certain amount each week can help! Hope that helps!

          Reply

    • Hey Esther – it’s hard to say when it will come back as I don’t know your background. But I would read through the post and see if you can do any of those things to help. Making sure you are eating enough and limiting stress is super important! Seed cycling can be helpful along with Vitex (for a short amount of time) if you want to try supplementation.

      Reply

  7. hi kelly, i lost my period around the end of this summer, so it’s been roughly four months. i had intense volleyball training over the summer (3-5 hours for 4 days a week), and i don’t think i was eating enough. now with school, i stil have practises and sometimes do hiit workouts, but they’re in reasonable amounts. the practises aren’t intense, and i don’t do hiit workouts that often. i don’t restrict, and i definitely eat at least 2000 calories/day. i’ve lost around 12 pounds this summer due to the training, but i can’t gain it back even with eating normally. to be honest, stress from school probably plays a large factor as well, but i’m not sure what to do.

    Reply

    • Hey Janette! Sorry to hear that, but don’t be too discouraged as there are things you can work on to help. It sounds like the summer was pretty intense from workouts since you lost so much weight. Since it doesn’t sound like you are as active anymore, I would make sure you are eating enough. Most active females need over 2000 calories, and it sounds like you are young and pretty active! If you do need to gain some weight back in order for your body to feel safe, I would slowly add food in little by little. A little bit bigger servings can help, and fat and carbs are important for our cycle. And you are right, stress is a huge one. I know it can’t be avoided, but if you can do some things that bring you happiness (reading, get outside, playing with a pet, laughing…whatever it is), it can be really beneficial. Your body probably felt stressed this summer too and it can take time to reset (it takes your follicles about 100 days to mature so problems still can persist a few months down the road). You can also try seed cycling or just adding more seeds in your diet in general (these are good healthy fats). I hope that helps some!

      Reply

  8. I fully understand that you’re not a doctor and not prescribing anything, but what form of magnesium did you use? And regarding vitex, how often did you supplement with it? Did you have any blood labs done prior?

    Thanks and Merry Christmas to you, your story is inspiring!

    Reply

    • Hey Kristine! Thank you so much and thanks for reading it! For Vitex I only took it for one month straight. I would recommend 3-6 months max. For magnesium, I take citrate, but glycinate is also really great! I had my blood taken a handful of years ago and everything looked fine. I didn’t do any labs when I really started working on getting my cycle back as deep down I knew it was probably from my eating/dieting and exercise. It’s not a bad idea to do though! Hope that helps!

      Reply

  9. Hi Kelly, first of all, thanks for sharing your experience.
    I have lost my period for the first time last year in December for three months, probably because of (unconscious) weightloss. Then this year after becoming vegan I have lost it again, and now it has been 4 months since my last period. I stopped running, and now I’m including eggs and a really small amount of dairy. I have never had such a bloated and swollen face before, so I guess it is because of my missing period too (even though all the hormones and vitamins in my blood tests are fine) Did you experience any face/body changes from not having your period?

    Reply

    • Hey Sofia! No, I don’t think I did, but we are all different. If anything, I was much more swollen and bloated on hormonal birth control. Since switching your diet, I would make sure you are eating enough food and getting enough variety of foods. I know you said you did blood work, but it is easier to become vitamin and mineral deficient when cutting out whole food groups. This can definitely impact menstrual health.

      Reply

  10. Hey Kelly!
    So I haven’t had my period for a month now and I’m really scared. I do HIIT everyday because I don’t want to gain back my weight I lost and I think I don’t eat enough through the day. Idk what to do because I still want to work out and stay in shape without gaining weight.

    Reply

    • Hey Anna! I think it sounds like you know you might need to increase your food a little. You don’t have to add a lot, but try 50 or so more calories to start. When you break it down, that is around 2 or so bites of food, and not much. See how you feel and then add some more. It can be a slower process if you are concerned about weight gain. Also, I would suggest scaling back on exercise just a little. Maybe giving yourself 1-2 rest days a week. Your body needs time to recover and too much high-intensity exercise can be a stressor on the body, especially if it is already stressed. By adding rest days, your body will thank you and you will feel so much better going into your workouts. Or you can swap out one of the HIIT classes for something more low impact. I hope that helps some!

      Reply

  11. Hi Kelly!
    I haven’t had my period for 4 months now. Im so scared. Im also on diet to lose weight because i really want a flat tummy, so I don’t want to gain weight again. I’ve been doing some workouts but now I’ve decided to stop because i thought that it will make my body stress. I still include fruits, vegetables, and a lot of protein in my diet. I’m a bit scared to take carbs and fats since it can gain my weight. I’m 15 years old by the way. I really hope that you can help me get my period back.

    Reply

    • Hey Sha, it is really important to be eating carbs and fat for your cycle. Dietary fat and cholesterol are precursors for our sex hormones. Nutrient-dense foods like sweet potatoes, winter squashes, whole grains, avocado, salmon, and other things are great and are whole food sources. As much as it can be hard, we need to put our health above body composition goals. If we aren’t having a cycle, it’s a sign that something is not right. Working out can also become a stressor if we are under-eating. I suggest still being active, but low impact things like walking or yoga can be helpful.
      You can also look into seed cycling, as I have a whole article on it – https://eatthegains.com/all-about-seed-cycling/

      Reply

  12. hi Kelly. I’m 15 and experiencing the same thing that many people in these comments are. It has been four months for me. I have lost about 5 pounds in the past 6 months by eating a low fat and low carbohydrate diet. I eat tons of fruit and vegetables, and lean protein (a lot of white meat chicken and whole eggs). I also do not eat dairy as I’m sensitive to lactose but i take calcium supplements daily. My bmi and body fat percentage are both normal and were normal before my weight loss. for additional reference, I’m very short (5’1) but the 5lbs lost hasn’t made that much of a physical difference on me (and I’m not extremely skinny at all!) i lost my cycle after only losing one pound, do I have to gain back up to my starting weight to get it back? i don’t want to gain weight as I haven’t reached my weight loss goals yet anyway but I want to get it back because I know how important it is for my health. So I’m kind of at crossing roads here. What advice do you have for me? Should I speak to a doctor or work to fix this myself? I do not want to have to track macros or calories unless absolutely necessary and I really do not want to gain weight as at my short height it becomes very visible. Also, I do not over exercise at all, only once a week I do strength and cardio training with some other light activity throughout the week (walking, stretching). Please help me out here any way you can, I’m very worried and want to fix this before it takes permanent damage on my bone health!! Thank you

    Reply

    • Hi! Sorry you are going through this. I understand about being short (I’m 5’2″) and gaining weight as it is different for someone that is a lot taller. That being said, I have been 20-25# less than I am now without my cycle and also the same weight I am now without my cycle. We do need to be at a healthy weight, but a lot of other factors go into it as well. It sounds like your diet might be more of a factor. It is really important to be eating carbs and fat for your cycle. Dietary fat and cholesterol are precursors for our sex hormones. While we don’t need to count macros, just adding some high-quality sources of carbs and fat can help – things like potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, whole grains, avocado, salmon, olive oil, seeds, and other things are great and are whole food sources. From my personal experience, when I didn’t have my cycle, my doctor just tried to put me on hormonal birth control, which is just a band-aid for the issue. This is just my personal experience, but I think it’s important to find the root cause of the issue.
      You can also look into seed cycling, as I have a whole article on it – https://eatthegains.com/all-about-seed-cycling/ – it has been helpful for me!

      Reply

  13. Hi there Kelly!

    I just wanted to say thank you so much for this post! I’ve been on a journey of trying to get my period back since the summer & it’s definitely been an eye opener!

    I loved this post so much. Your experience in the past with food and exercise remind me of what I’ve been through, especially with the binges from feeling so deprived!

    I cut out all HIIT, & now only stick to bodybuilding routines with a lot of rest in between, as well as ensuring I’m eating a carb source right after my workout (yes, even as I’m stretching and making my post workout meal). My coach worked me up to a reverse diet & im now eating about 2,400-2,500 kcal per day.
    Aside from training and food, I quit one of my two jobs and now find time to literally lie down and watch tv where as before I always had to multi-task 100 things on the go haha.

    I’ve put on weight but I know it’s what I had to do, I’m just trying to be patient & trust the process.

    Thank you so much for this article, I’m saving it and it gives me more hope!

    Cheers to you & getting your period back ♥️

    – Liv

    Reply

    • Hey Liv!! Heck yes, I’m so glad to hear that! 2400-2500 calories is great! It sounds like you have made great progress and really doing things to align with feeling so much better. Hoping your cycle comes back soon!

      Reply

  14. Hi, Kelly! I am 17 years old and it is now going 4 months of me not having my period back in. Before, I used to drink a cup of boiled ginger after every meal for 2 days and get my period back; but I don’t know why it doesn’t work now on me. I think I wasn’t under eating and I also wasn’t that stress; I used to have my workout before but decided to stop because of I don’t have the tine to continue it since I’m studying. Any piece of advice please? Thankyouuu and Godblessyoumore!

    Reply

    • Hey Joy, I haven’t heard of the boiled ginger. You might not feel you are under too much stress, but sometimes the body thinks you are. It’s hard to say without knowing a little more, but you could try the supplements I suggested or add a little more food in. Some people don’t realize they are undereating even if they are eating a well-balanced diet. I hope that helps some. Happy to answer any more questions too.

      Reply

    • Hi kelly, I am 17 years old and it’s going to be 7 months for me not having my period back and and i have been hurting on the power of my left side and it’s been going for 4 days it hurts when i arise from setting position or lying position , but when i made one step or two step it’s almost gose away , and there’s blood on the tissue but not on the pads , I’ve been stressing out and i don’t know what to do , any advice please

      Reply

      • Hi Joy. I’m sorry you are going through that. It sounds like you might need to go to the doctor if you are experiencing pain. I would reach out to them as I am not a medical professional. Hoping you can figure it out!

        Reply

  15. Hey! I’m currently eating full meals again! I was wondering how long until my period will be back? since I’ve been eating more for a few weeks now. I just want it back!!!! So that I know I am fully healthy again

    Reply

    • Hey Kennedy – that is awesome!! Unfortunately, it can take some time. I would at least give it a few months as everyone is different, but you are definitely on the right path!

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  16. This post is really helpful. I’ve only fully not had my period for two months (although it was very light before that where it’s usually pretty heavy) due to overexercising and under-fueling, and this covered a lot of bases. I’m trying to get it back and recover before it can damage my health any more, and I want to be able to rest more and do more low-intensity exercise without fearing the weight gain. Do you have any posts or personal tips about exercising after/during malnourishment and amenorrhea and healing your relationship with exercise? I want to move my body to stay healthy, obviously, but I don’t want it to feel so connected to my eating and weight. 🙂 You’re the best!

    Reply

    • Hey Evelyn! Glad you enjoyed the post. I can definitely relate to feeling like I needed to be working out intensively every day and also feeling like I had to work out to “earn my food”. For me to get my cycle back, I knew I needed to scale back on HIIT workouts as they can be a stressor to the body when overworking and under fueling. If anything, my body was constantly inflamed from them as well. But I didn’t stop completely as working out is a huge part of my life, and if I did that, I would have felt like something was missing/sad. I tried to focus on the workouts that I did like, but without pushing my body to the limit. At that time, I did enjoy CrossFit, and I still did them, but I didn’t try to kill my body every time and just moved at a pace that felt good. That helped with me getting in a workout I enjoyed, but also not feeling run down/dead after. I gave myself more rest days and time to recover while eating more too. I want to feel good and be STRONG in my workouts, and that involves eating well for them. I can tell if I don’t eat enough, my workouts suffer. With not dedicating so much time to working out every day, I got to dedicate my time doing other things I enjoyed too, which was helpful! I think what is important is realizing that the best way to exercise and eat is one that I enjoy. If I can’t stick to it consistently, it’s not sustainable. We all go through different seasons of life and our bodies are always evolving. We want to be eating right and moving our body, but also enjoying the ride and life. Having a more balanced approach to eating and working out has helped me not be connected to my weight, eating, and workouts. I move because I enjoy it and want to be strong, it’s important for my mental health, and gives me “me time” each day. I eat a lot of healthy foods because they make me feel my best, and I like feeling good, but I also eat pizza, drink margaritas, and a bunch of other things I enjoy because they bring me happiness. I know my weight fluctuates and I’ve been 20-30 pounds less than I am now and was miserable because I was obsessive with food and exercise. I much rather weigh more and be happy with the life I am living than smaller and unhappy. I know the best version of myself is one that entails me living a life I love living. I’m not sure if that helps at all, but that is what I have come to realize over the years. This is a great idea for a post though!

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  17. Hi! I’m a teen endurance athlete. I lost my period about 6 months ago because I have lost weight. I know I have to eat more, and while I hype myself up for it and get excited to work on it, it all goes out the window when the food is in front of me and I can’t seem to eat enough. Any tips? Thank you!

    Reply

    • Hey Ava! Sorry to hear that, but sounds like you know what to do. It can definitely be challenging with food, especially when society is constantly telling us to eat less. I would try to opt for things you enjoy – that way you will want to eat them! Also, looking for calorie-dense things like nut butter, dressings, protein bars, or things like that can help. They can add calories quickly without taking up too much room in our stomachs. Most people enjoy another scoop of PB with their food as well 🙂 hope that helps!

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  18. Hi Kelly,
    I currently have PCOS and used to get my period at least every 3 months and since Spring 2020 not at all. My Doctor put me on progesterone in October to make me have my period which worked and now just taking it in January I did not get my period after. I have just started seed cycling but am very worried about fertility / my overall health. When I ask my Doctor questions of this I feel pushed off and that things are not fully explained. Do you have any personal tips / thoughts to my particular case? I would love to get things back naturally and also want to have kids within the next 4-5 years so I am worried. How long does it typically take for seed cycling to help get the period back? Thanks so much! Any info is helpful!

    Reply

    • Hey Ashley! I would definitely recommend checking out the book I linked – it is a wealth of knowledge and also talks about PCOS a decent amount as well. Seed cycling can be great though and it’s a very natural way to help balance hormones as it’s just real food. Unfortunately, everyone is so different and there is not a specific time period for it to work. I usually tell people to at least give it 3 months and it also takes around 90-100 days for our follicles to mature. I’m sorry to hear that about your doctor – hoping you can find someone that listens to you and is on your side. I hope that helps some!

      Reply

  19. Hey Kelly,

    I can really relate to your situation. I’m 26 and I just regained my period after going 5 years without. I was a wirey kid, late bloomer type – probably didn’t get my first period until about 16 and was almost immediately put on hormonal BC. When I got off of the birth control at age 20 I didn’t see another period until 6 months ago. I had a restrictive diet while being very athletic but have never been underweight, in fact I’ve always had a BMI around 25 (short with above average muscle mass I guess).
    It’s been a strange experience because I felt for a while like an old woman going through menopause – zero sex drive, dry skin/hair, cold all the time. Now that my period is back it’s like I’m a teenager going through puberty again (or perhaps the pubescent phase I never completed in the first place??) – acne, weight fluctuation, rampant sex drive (lol) … it’s a rollercoaster. Have you experienced something similar? It’s hard to find anecdotal information about this on the internet, seems to be a pretty uncommon occurrence?

    Reply

    • Hey Eliza! Sorry to hear you went through that but happy to hear you got your period back! Since you are just getting your cycle back naturally, it is expected that your hormones can be a little all over the place until your body settles in. The sex drive will definitely come back and the acne can be hormonal as your body is adjusting. Zinc can be helpful for that. Weight fluctuations are natural throughout the month too as most women retain more water weight around their cycle. It takes our follicles around 100 days to develop, so it can take your period some time to even out as it will be a reflection of what is going on in the past 3 months. I would just give it some time and keep doing the good things!

      Reply

  21. Hi Kelly, I am 14 years old and I haven’t got my period in over 6 months, I have added as many healthy fats as possible into my diet like nut butters, avocado, and salmon. I don’t exercise every day and I also give myself rest days too. During the summer of 2020, I worked out every day and barely gave myself a rest day. I was underweight for a while but I managed to gain a few pounds back. I currently exercise about 4 days a week now. I got spotting about 2 months ago but the next day there was nothing. I am 5’3. I don’t restrict any kind of foods and im pretty sure i eat around 2500-2800 calories a day. I am not exactly sure about my calorie intake because I don’t count it. I actually eat a lot of food and even during the summer of 2020, I still ate a lot. I think it was during the other half of my first semester that I lost my period (maybe due to stress?). But overall it would just be very helpful if you have any tips to help me get my period back because I worry for myself in both the present and future.

    Reply

    • Hey Allisha! Sorry to hear you are going through that. Glad to hear you are eating all the food though, that can be very beneficial. Stress can be a big factor so trying to find things to reduce stress will be very beneficial. If we are stressed and working out consistently, it can be a lot on the body. It takes our follicles 90-100 days to mature so sometimes it will take our period a few months to catch up to all the changes we are making. I would give your body some time and see what happens. Seed cycling might be beneficial for you to try as it is a natural way to help balance hormones for some. I hope that helps some! Try not to stress too much about it as that can be stressful on the body.

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  22. Hi Kelly! My name is ruby. I’m 15 years old and I’ve been in anorexia recovery for 2 years. I got my first period after being in recovery for a while and although it’s always been slightly irregular, I still got it for a long time. About 4 months ago I had a small relapse at boarding school and I haven’t had my period since. These past couple weeks I’ve been eating a lot more and I’ve been strength training to build muscle. I also love to play softball and my school season is about to start. I’m eating around 2400-3000 calories a day and I feel really good. I honestly hate cardio and I don’t do HIIT, so that’s not an issue. So far I’ve gained most of the weight I lost at school (just a few pounds), and my doctor said my weight and all my vitals look good and healthy. I’ve also had my period before at around the same weight I am now, which is confusing. I’m okay with gaining a bit more but I would like it to be mostly muscle, and as an athlete I don’t think I can give up my sport or my strength. I definitely can take more rest days and things like that though. Do you think I can get my period back while lifting weights as long as I stay consistent with my eating? Basically, should I keep doing what I’m doing and just give it time?

    Reply

    • Hi Ruby! Glad to hear you are feeling better, eating more food, and finding exercise that works for you. I grew up playing softball and it is such a great sport! You are definitely on the right path – you can still lift weights as long as you properly fueling yourself for your lifestyle. We just really need to be fueling ourselves for any workout and the energy we are burning and making sure we are giving ourselves proper rest days (I always suggest at least 2 days a week). It can take some time for your follicles to catch up to the new changes you have been making. They take 90-100 days to develop so I would give it a couple of months to see what happens!

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  23. I have been weight restored from anorexia for 2 years, but over the past year, I have increased calories and decreased exercise (no cardio or HIIT). I only do pilates and weights and limit each session to a maximum of 40 minutes and I also go on walks. I gained even more weight and am 7 pounds above my last period (im only 5’2 so that is a good % of my weight), but I still have no period and I am a few pounds above pre-ED. I do not understand I have been more serious with recovery for 1 year, but still no progress. My hormones improved a lot so I was told I will get it back soon but it is unknown when. I feel hopeless…this is taking so long. I really hope I don’t have to completely stop exercising or gain even more weight. I hear that many women need to overshoot their natural weight by a lot to restart menstrual cycles and completely stop exercising. I don’t feel comfortable doing this…I am not sure if maybe overshooting will just bring the period back quicker and is NOT the only way to get ur period back. I am willing to take the slower recovery route if that means I don’t have to overshoot my weight or stop exercising. ahhhh im so scared

    Reply

    • I don’t know if I should give it more time given that it has been 1-2 years in recovery OR should I make changes since what I am doing to recover is not effective (altho my hormones improved but still no period). I don’t understand why this is taking such a long time. the median time to recover a period from hypothalamic amenorrhea is 3-6 months and it has been 1-2 years for me 🙁

      Reply

      • From your first comment, it sounds like you have seen some good changes with your hormones! Don’t put down the work you have been doing. Again, it can just take some time for some as we are all so different. I would try not to stress too much about it as that does not help (a lot easier said than done).

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    • Hey Sarah, sorry to hear you are going through this. Everyone’s body is so different, and sometimes it can really just take a long time to recover. From my personal experience, I have weighed way less than I do now (25# lighter) and weighed the same weight I do now, and didn’t have a cycle at both weights. It more had to do with not eating enough and working out too much. While I did have to gain weight initially, it really was about my lifestyle choices. If not comfortable with gaining more, I would just give it some time and patience. Limiting stress, making sure we are eating enough, workouts that tax our system too much… all those things can be huge factors!

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      • Hi!
        I have had completely regular periods since they began until late last year when the first time in years I was 50 days late, I had lost weight but I never weigh myself to know how much. I eventually became regular again until this month and I’m still awaiting my period, 23 days late. The only thing that is different is I do a 20 minute HIIT instead of a 10 but that is the only difference. Any recommendations to help get myself regular again? Your article was so interesting, thank you!:)

        Reply

        • Hi! It’s hard to say exactly, but if you added more exercise, I would maybe up your food just a little to accommodate that. Also making sure you are giving yourself enough rest throughout the week. It could also be due to stress so keeping an eye on that as well.

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  24. Hello ma’am! I’m Missy 20 years old and I just want to ask. I had my period 4 months straight but when I started to sleep late my period was gone, until now it was 3 months and I still don’t have my period back. I didn’t do any diet I just eat but not too much because I also have GERD, that leads me to this question, does GERD have a impact to my irregular period? I also workout late in the morning before online classes or late at night and when I workout I don’t have enough sleep. I just sit and lay in my bed from Monday-Sat because of online classes. Can you help me on what to do to get back my period? I’m so worried ’bout it and I already read your blog about it. Thank you! 🙂

    Reply

    • Hey Missy! Sorry to hear you lost your cycle. I would make sure you are getting enough sleep to start. It is so important for a number of functions and lack of sleep can affect our endocrine system and the hormones involved in your menstrual cycle. As for GERD, that is not my area of expertise, but I do know we need to have healthy digestion to be able to absorb the food we are eating. This requires stomach acid, bile, digestive enzymes, eating in a calm state, and more. Hippocrates once said, “All disease begins in the gut” and I believe this is true – if digestion is off, this is going to affect every part of our body.

      Reply

  25. Hello , I’m 27 and haven’t had my period since I was 16.. it started with irregularities and suddenly disappeared.. I’m worried cos I don’t know what to do now. Doctor said it’s hormonal imbalances. Please what can I do to get my period back, I want a baby soon. I weigh 90 I really want my period back..I’ve prayed, used contraceptives, currently on M2tone.. Please reply me Ma.

    Reply

  26. Hello, I’m 18 and I haven’t had my period last march 2021 and this May 1 I had spotting, a brown period on my underwear. I’ve been doing everyday workout, eat as much as 1200 calories for 2 months and I’m stressed these past few weeks. I’m scared and I really want to get back my period. Can u help me to get back my period? Thank you!😊

    Reply

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