204. Listener Question: 6 months of missing period recovery, not sure what to do next!

Listener question from Noemi about hypothalamic amenorrhea recovery:

Hi! I’m Noemí, from Spain, and I’m writing this email because I don’t find any other way to get help. I hope not being too boring and common, as well as explain me correctly even not being English my first language.

I have to many questions and things to say, I’m sorry if this takes too long.

So, I am 20 right now and I’ve been like a year and a half with no period. It happened me before, but it was because an ED. I recovered my period after 11 months of amenorrhea, and all perfect.

Another time, due to anxiety I lost it again during 4 months but my psychiatrist gave me some pills for the anxiety and it returned back in a month.

This time is different. Yes, last year was tough, I restrict again (not as much as the first time, though) and I kind of push myself a little bit hard on exercise. What happened is that I compare it with my ED and for me it seems like nothing, but it was.

When my psychologist told me I had lose weight that alarmed me and made me start taking some actions. Not enough, I have to say, but they where something. Eating more, exercising less, trying to avoid stressful situations, etc.

I’ve been working on my recovery for… 6 month now. And, yes, I have went tones of times to my doctor but we always end up with the same: the pill. For her (she is a women) the only solutions are rather taking the pill or make my own journey. So I decided the second.

The problem is that I don’t have any degree or anything else. I have diagnosed myself HA because the blood tests they gave to me don’t have enough information to make it clear. All the levels are normal, that’s why I think it’s not PCO. Whatever, I was wandering if it could be HA what I have and if I am doing the things ok.

I have been trying to eat more without counting calories (because it can become something negative for me) but I don’t know if I’m eating enough. I have no idea how to follow my gut. Lost that instinct decades ago.

I do exercise 4 days a week. 40min of body-weigh strength exercises 3 days a week and 30min of swimming once a week. Is that ok? Am I doing too much?

I am also feeling really sleepy lately and I don’t know if it is only lack of sleep or need of carbohydrates.

Sorry for all the text and the quick explanations, I don’t want this to take long.

The last thing is that, since I don’t have an stable job, I have no money to pay an specialist to control my journey (but I would really like it) that’s why I ask you all these things. Is there anyway to know if I’m doing great? Or if I took the wrong path?

Thais for helping. I’m willing to hear all you have to say in your most sincere opinions. Love you and your work here.

With love, Noemi.

NUTRITION ASSESSMENT RESOURCE MENTIONED: https://www.thehasociety.com/articles/how-to-do-a-nutrition-self-assessment-for-hypothalamic-amenorrhea?rq=assessment

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