Introduction

You start eating more, reducing your stress and workout intensity, everything you are supposed to during recovery, but how do you know if it’s working? 

Getting your period back is not an immediate result from doing healthy habits again, it’ll take time. However, there are multiple hints from your body that indicates you are healing, hormonal restoration, and energy balance.

Signs of Recovery from Hypothalamic Amenorrhea

1. Stronger Hunger/Fullness Cues

When your body is receiving more calories/energy, your metabolism starts to activate again. You feel hungrier since your hormones (leptin/ghrelin) are becoming more stable from food availability. Having a bigger appetite is a great signal that your hypothalamus is reactivating.

2. Mood Lifts

When your body starts receiving more nutrients from foods, estrogen production increases. Estrogen is a great factor in your mood, and you may feel less irritable. Your mind won’t be obsessed with food, allowing you to focus more on other aspects of life. Reducing stress from your body will greatly lift your mental health.

3. Energy Boosts and Restful Sleep

Reducing your cortisol levels (stress hormones) during recovery will allow you to sleep more easily. You might start waking up with more energy and take less naps.

4. Visible Cervical Mucus Changes

Since your estrogen is activating you may notice clear, stretchy, or “egg white” cervical mucus. This is an amazing sign your reproductive system is becoming healthy again, and that you might start ovulating soon.

5. The Return of Your Period

Having your period back is the main milestone indicating a good recovery. It means the communication between your ovaries and brain are restored. 

6. Skin, Hair, and Nail Health

Another sign for hormonal restoration is having a brighter completion. Your nails become stronger and your hair becomes shiner and does not shed as much.  

7. Rising Libido

When your body is in fight or flight mode due to energy deficiency, your sex drive disappears. This is because your reproductive organs shut down in order to conserve energy. But when hormone levels restore, your libido increases once again, meaning your body is starting to feel safe again.

8. Signs of Ovulation (Not period)

Signs of ovulation such as an increase body temp, cramps, and breast tenderness are all great indicators that your ovaries are starting to function again.

Conclusion

To completely heal from hypothalamic amenorrhea it will take time and patience. It’s the tiny and consistent healthy actions you do that will eventually help you recover. 

Not having a period does not necessarily mean you are doing the wrong things. It simply means your body may need more foundation to heal. It is not easy to restore your hormone regulation and reproductive system due to their complexity, but it is possible. 

The most important thing is to keep trying. Trust the process. Celebrate every signal, because it all adds up and eventually will lead you to a full recovery.