Are Your “Healthy” Habits Actually Causing Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA)? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’ve lost your period and can’t figure out why—despite doing all the “right” things—you might be dealing with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA).
HA is a form of missing period caused by stress on the hypothalamus. And that stress? It’s not just mental—it’s often the result of so-called “healthy” habits that have been normalized by diet culture and the wellness industry.
Let’s break down the behaviors that may be keeping you stuck—and what to do instead to restore your cycle and improve your fertility naturally.
1. Chronic Calorie or Macro Restriction
So many women live in a deprivation dieting mindset, where they believe less is better. It’s so deep seated and hard to see. However, under-eating, intentionally or not, can suppress the hypothalamus and lead to:
Low estrogen
Missing or irregular periods
Slow metabolism
Poor bone health and low libido
If your body thinks it’s in a famine, it will shut down non-essential functions like reproduction.
2. HIIT and Cardio Obsession
Do you feel like your workout only counts if you’re dripping in sweat or totally exhausted?
Many women fall into the trap of believing more intense = better. But the truth is, high-intensity workouts done too frequently can spike cortisol, tank hormones, and delay ovulation.
Especially if you’re not fueling enough, excessive cardio can backfire—hard.
3. Intermittent Fasting
While intermittent fasting might be trending, it’s not meant for women in their reproductive years. PERIOD!
Fasting forces you to ignore your own body's cues causing your body to run on stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which is the opposite of what you want if you're trying to get your period back or conceive.
Your body needs consistent nourishment—not long gaps between meals.
4. Constant Stress and Fight-or-Flight Mode
Do you feel like you’re doing all the “right” things and your health isn't improving (*cough cough* missing period). Check your stress levels.
Stress isn’t just trying to meet a work deadline or having an argument with a friend.. Your body perceives:
Skipping meals
Over-exercising
Lack of sleep
People-pleasing
Perfectionism
…as threats to safety. And a body that feels unsafe will shut down reproduction.
5. Skipping Sleep
Getting plenty of sleep is so important for our overall health, it’s where healing takes place! However, sleep tends to be the first priority to drop off for most people and the last to think about when considering your health. Which brings me to my next point…
6. The Go-Go-Go Lifestyle
Does the thought of taking a rest day make you physically cringe? Do you often measure your worth by your productivity level? Another one of those questions that if you answered yes to, you're not alone! Our society glamorizes the hustle, but as women we weren’t designed for that type of lifestyle.
7. Perfectionism
Do you feel like you have to be the best at everything? Is your worth tied to YOUR perception of success? Are you possibly putting unnecessary pressures on yourself i.e. how much you should weigh, what your body should look like, what your diet should look like?
If Any of This Sounds Like You… You’re Not Alone
Many of our clients come to us after years of living this way—overworked, underfed, and confused why their health isn’t improving. That’s why we created a free resource to help you understand what’s really going on and how to start reversing it.
🚀 Free Masterclass: Restore Ovulation & Get Pregnant Naturally
In this free training, we’ll walk you through:
✔️ What’s actually causing your hypothalamic amenorrhea
✔️ Why conventional health advice often makes things worse
✔️ The proven steps to get your period back and support natural fertility
This is the education we wish we’d had sooner—and it’s helped thousands of women reconnect with their cycles and reclaim their health.
