s2/e44 What Happens When You Lose Your Period (& What To Do) with Cynthia Donovan, MS, RDN, CDN (@period.nutritionist)

Body Weight

Cynthia Donovan explains that amenorrhea can affect individuals of any body size, not just those who are underweight. She highlights the body's survival mechanism, which prioritizes energy storage for future needs, leading to missed periods even when one appears to have sufficient energy reserves 1. This misconception often leads to confusion and frustration, as people struggle to understand why they might be experiencing amenorrhea despite not being underweight 2.

Your body is smart. So it's saying like, all right, I remember when there was a famine.

--- Cynthia Donovan

Elisabeth Scott adds that what one considers adequate nutrition might still be insufficient for the body's needs, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual energy requirements 2.

   

Exercise Impact

The impact of exercise on menstrual health is significant, especially for endurance athletes. Cynthia Donovan shares her personal experience of balancing exercise with menstrual health, emphasizing that taking a break from intense training can lead to stronger and healthier returns 3. She likens the situation to treating the body as if it were injured, advocating for rest and proper nutrition to restore menstrual cycles 3.

If you are in a low energy availability and you're running, you may say, oh, my running is fine.

--- Cynthia Donovan

Elisabeth Scott notes that all forms of exercise contribute to energy expenditure, and athletes must consider their overall activity level to avoid energy debt 4.

   

PCOS Diagnosis

Misdiagnosis of amenorrhea as PCOS is common, leading to inappropriate treatments. Cynthia Donovan explains that many women are incorrectly diagnosed with PCOS based on ultrasound findings without considering other symptoms or hormonal levels 5. She stresses the importance of accurate diagnosis, as amenorrhea is a diagnosis of exclusion and requires thorough investigation 5.

You know your body better than anyone else.

--- Cynthia Donovan

Donovan shares her own journey of being misdiagnosed with PCOS, which led her to follow ineffective treatment protocols that worsened her condition 6.