text: I never really fully understood how the whole body intertwined together and the effect one system could have on the other until I started nursing school. I understood some surface level concepts, but hadn’t done much reading or learning to really understand what was going on in the body. It makes total biological sense though that if your body is physically stressed out from disease or other health conditions, it’s going to take the energy it does have coming in and use it for survival versus using that precious energy on non vital systems like your reproductive system. Take a look at your overall health…are there areas of physical stress your body is under that could be affecting your reproductive health?
  Just because you menstruated at xyz weight or size when you were xyz age does not mean that is the weight your body is going to turn back on it’s reproductive system now. Especially if you’re thinking about the weight you were when you got your first period in your teenage years – if you’re now into your 20s and 30s or 40s ..your body has done a lot of maturing since your teen years and that weight is very likely too low for you now. Additionally, the body is dynamic. Weight and body size change and fluctuate throughout our lives – I know this is hard, but learning to trust your body is so freeing (although hard – I know!) Every woman’s body is different. Also keep in mind weight is not the end all be all. There are many factors that contribute to your period going missing. If you can, see if you can create some space to use this as an opportunity for some body image work. Positive body image doesn’t mean you have to love your body, but can you focus your time on building a fulfilling life outside of your body?
  If my own story resonates with you or if you’ve had any of these similar questions or thoughts, I have created an e-course on healing your hormones and getting a healthy, natural period back. It’s been years in the making as I’ve compiled the work I do one on one with clients into a video course that walks you through the healing process in a realistic, easy to digest way. Beyond talking about what’s going on in your body and how to heal, I also walk you through cultivating healthy body image and developing self care for long term health. If this resonates with you, you can read more here.
  Robyn, I so appreciate your passion for this topic, because it’s something I feel pretty passionate about too. I’m so thankful that I have been able to have normal cycles for over two years now. But that’s after taking a long hard journey to eat more, exercise differently, and really take care of my health (both mental and physical). As annoying as periods can be, they are an amazing indicator of our overall health, and for that I am thankful. I’m planning on going into the healthcare field (as a PA!) and this is something I’m so excited to learn more about, and also to teach and learn from my future patients about!
  That are an annoying yet beautiful thing 🙂 So excited you are pursing a PA career! Best of luck to you – you will be wonderful!
  Thank you so much for this article. I too have struggled with this and continue to struggle. After a series of stress fractures I found out that what I thought was my “healthy” lifestyle too was impacting my period and my overall health. My body was literally shutting down from the inside out. I am still finding the balance and continuing to work to gain control. It’s often something we don’t think about so I am so happy you shared your experience!
  So so happy that you’re talking about this and educating others! I have a degree in health sciences and spent a good 2 years taking classes on how to read research papers (even helped write on!) and even then it takes me a good amount of time and effort to read papers when I am doing my own research on things like reproductive health. And touching in what you said about getting your period at different weights. I was a good 25 pounds lighter than I am now (22 years old) when I was a freshmen in high school and getting a normal period. Back then I was super underweight by medical terms but also super healthy and ate whatever I wanted (think two personal sized pizzas covered wit ranch for lunch daily – oh public school lunch programs 😜) but through high school I developed a severe ED and have since recovered by if I were to get back to my pre-ED weight I would actually have to starve myself again and definitely wouldn’t get my period. Not to mention just be miserable, hangry all the time, and not have any energy. Just goes to show that I grew up in the last 8 years (wow time goes by fast) and my body/set point changed!
  Also, just thought you might find this interesting but there is some new research that may link the copper IUD with reduced cervical cancer rates! It’s a good read.