Episode 242: Is Your Cycle Trying to Tell You Something? Hypothalamic Amenorrhea and the Impact of Disrupted Periods with Dr. Nicola Sykes

“What we call healthy on the outside does not always reflect what is happening on the inside.”

So many of us have been praised for habits that actually harm our health, and sometimes, the impact isn’t obvious until your period is gone. In this episode, I open up about my experience with losing my period as a young gymnast and what it taught me about diet culture, body image, and the surprisingly fragile balance behind a healthy menstrual cycle. I’m joined by Dr. Nicola Sykes, a leading expert who’s dedicated her career to helping people heal from hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) and understand what’s really going on when periods disappear.

We talk about what it really means when your cycle is missing, and why hypothalamic amenorrhea can affect bodies of any size, not just those who look “thin enough.” We also discuss the normalized, even applauded, health habits that can drive HA, and how weight stigma and a narrow view of health prevent so many from getting the support they need. This isn’t just about fertility; it’s about reconnecting with your body, understanding the messages it’s sending you, and learning how to support your health for the long haul.

Whether you’ve ever lost your period, had a disrupted cycle, or just wondered about how much is too much when it comes to exercise or healthy eating, this conversation is a reality check on what it really takes to support a healthy, happy body beyond surface-level appearances.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why habits like carb-cutting, intermittent fasting, and intense exercise can disrupt your menstrual cycle
• How under-fueling, stress, and exercise multiply to trigger hypothalamic amenorrhea
• Why anyone, regardless of body size, can experience HA, and what makes weight-based assumptions so harmful
• What a disrupted cycle looks like and why tracking ovulation matters
• How to start reconnecting with your body, tune into real hunger and fullness cues, and ditch shame in favor of curiosity
• Actionable first steps for period recovery, including why eating breakfast is a big deal!

Connect with Dr. Nicola:

• Instagram: @noperiodnowwhat
• Website
• Period recovery support group
• Blog post mentioned: Diagnosing Hypothalamic Amenorrhea
• The Missed Menstrual Periods Study at Mayo Clinic Florida

Struggling to know when to eat or when to stop isn’t a failure… it could be a byproduct of following diet rules instead of your body’s cues. The free Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide helps you ditch the noise and tune back into the cues your body is sending to build trust with your body and food. Get it at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale.

Come back next week for another episode and connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.

Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?

You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you’re tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.