Cynthia Donovan
The Period Recovery Podcast
Welcome to The Period Recovery Podcast, hosted by Cynthia Donovan, Registered Dietitian and Period Recovery expert. This podcast is dedicated to helping women restore their menstrual cycle, balance hormones, and rebuild a healthy relationship with food, body, and exercise. Each week, Cynthia shares science-based education, real client stories, and practical strategies to help you understand why your period may be missing and what it actually takes to get it back naturally. Whether you are dealing with hypothalamic amenorrhea, irregular cycles, or fertility challenges, this podcast will help yo...
Author
Cynthia Donovan
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 9, 2026
Where to listen?
Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soonPodcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts
Episodes
How Nervous System Healing Supports Period Recovery 07.08.2025 46:01
Imagine living in a world where your body feels like it's constantly on high alert, even when there's no immediate danger. This is the reality for many experiencing nervous system dysregulation. In a recent conversation with Kelly Burnett, a nervous system coach, we explored how this condition affects women, particularly those dealing with anxiety, chronic symptoms, and burnout. Kelly shared her p...
Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, AI in Women's Health, and What Recovery Really Takes With Dr. Nicola Sykes 24.07.2025 57:40
Today we are so excited to have Dr. Nicola Sykes revisit the podcast! She's here to encourage women with a missing period to get the care they need by clearing up some all-too common misunderstandings. Dr. Sykes also shares insights from her article Where AI Gets it Wrong: https://www.noperiodnowwhat.com/post/where-ai-gets-it-wrong HA Studies referenced in the podcast: Amenorrhea-Related Cardiova...
From Wedding Weight Pressure to True Wellness: Kaitlin’s HA Recovery Story 10.07.2025 48:44
Our conversation today is so relatable. In this episode, Cynthia interviews Kaitlin Feda about her journey recovering her menstrual cycle after experiencing period loss due to restrictive eating and exercise habits. Kaitlin shares her struggles with body image, the impact of societal pressures, and the importance of community support during her recovery. She discusses the emotional challenges of r...
Navigating Nutrition During Pregnancy 26.06.2025 45:20
In this podcast episode, Cynthia Donovan and Stephanie Lauri discuss the critical role of nutrition during pregnancy. They explore the gaps in prenatal nutrition education, the importance of balanced meals, and how to manage food aversions and nausea. Stephanie shares practical tips for expecting mothers to optimize their nutrition while maintaining a realistic and flexible approach to eating. Cy...
Cortisol, Carbs & No Periods: What Female Athletes Need to Know 12.06.2025 49:35
In today’s episode, Cynthia Donovan, MS RD & Lindsey Cortes MS RD CSSD, dive into the overlooked connection between nutrition, cortisol, and period recovery —especially for active women and female athletes . If you’ve ever wondered why your workouts feel harder, your period is missing, or your sleep is off, this episode is for you. Cynthia & Lindsey explore: Why female athletes have unique...
Losing My Period, Not My Identity 29.05.2025 49:27
In this episode of the Period Recovery Podcast, Drew shares her experience working with Cynthia to regain her period. From conditioning to fixate on thinness to the misconceptions of healthy living, Drew discusses how her experiences led her to seek support and the importance of accountability in the recovery process. The conversation highlights the complexities of women's health and the need for...
Will I Ever Reach My Set Point? 15.05.2025 50:50
Today Cynthia welcomes Caitie Corradino, the founder of Full Soul Nutrition to talk about the best ways to care for our bodies. Caitie is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, eating disorder recovery coach, body image expert, Certified Personal Trainer, Registered Yoga Teacher, breathwork facilitator, and reiki healer. She combines nutrition counseling with...
How Body Image Shapes Mental Health, Relationships & Self-Worth with Dr. Morgan Francis 01.05.2025 26:58
In this conversation Cynthia and Dr. Morgan Francis discuss the complexities of body image and its profound impact on mental health. They emphasize the importance of understanding body image beyond eating disorders, highlighting its influence on various aspects of life, including relationships and sexual health. The discussion also covers the role of family dynamics in shaping body image perceptio...
Reclaiming Femininity: The Journey of Period Loss 17.04.2025 50:43
Silba is a behavioral scientist, somatic coach, and sensuality educator passionate about helping ambitious women with a big heart reconnect to their bodies, rekindle their pleasure, and reclaim their full feminine expression so they can safely be themselves. With eleven years of experience in human fulfillment—first as a consultant for organisations in London and for the past six years working 1:1...
Building a Strong Foundation for Future Performance 03.04.2025 35:52
Cynthia welcomes back the wonderful Elena Kunicki, RD to discuss trying to get your period back as an athlete or as an active person. We know it's a hard pill to swallow but we're big believers in rest days. We want to encourage you to build up your nutrition and your hormonal health in recovery from hypothalamic amenorrhea. We're also talking about cardiovascular health, finding joy beyond exerci...
Getting My Period Back & Planning a Wedding- A Fairytale Ending! 20.03.2025 41:29
In this episode, Cynthia and Jayden discuss Jayden's inspiring journey through period recovery, her struggles with an eating disorder, and the joy of becoming pregnant. They explore the fears and challenges faced during recovery, the importance of supportive people, and the transformative changes that come with embracing a healthier lifestyle. So many insights into what it's like to have this newf...
I Thought I'd Lose All My Fitness: Period Recovery, Running, & Preparing for Pregnancy 06.03.2025 38:52
In this episode of the Period Recovery Podcast, Cynthia welcomes Beckah Sims, who shares her personal journey of recovery from Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA) and her experiences with disordered eating and body image issues. Beckah discusses her struggles with maintaining a healthy relationship with food and exercise, particularly during the pandemic, and how these challenges impacted her ability to...
Breaking New Ground in HA Research: Dr. Shufelt on the REVEAL Registry & Period Recovery 20.02.2025 38:33
____________________________________________________________________________________ A Recipe for a Period® Info Session on Feb 21, 2025 at 12:30 AM EST https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QdPiG_SfS4eB8klEmqjVBQ#/registration ____________________________________________________________________________________ Welcome back! Today we have Dr. Chrisandra Shufelt rejoining us to celebrate the lau...
Uncovering More Than Your Missing Period 06.02.2025 51:01
A Recipe for a Period® Info Session on Feb 21, 2025 at 12:30 AM EST https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QdPiG_SfS4eB8klEmqjVBQ#/registration ____________________________________________________________________________________ In this conversation, Cynthia and Tamara delve into the intricate relationship between constellation work and body image issues. Tamara explains the concept of constella...
After 10 Years Without a Period, Kelsi Found a New Sense of Purpose and Accomplishment 23.01.2025 53:57
In this conversation, Kelsi shares her journey from living for athletic achievement to finding joy in so many new areas of her life including motherhood, friend and family relationships and higher education. She discusses her struggles with disordered eating, the absence of her menstrual cycle, and the challenges of seeking help from medical professionals. Along the way therapy was an important p...
When Period Recovery Give You MORE Than Exercise Back 26.12.2024 47:17
Celebrating her three-year anniversary of getting her period back, in this episode of the Period Recovery Podcast, Grace shares her inspiring journey of recovering her menstrual health. Grace reflects on the challenges she faced over years of struggle, the importance of support from family and community, and the transformative power of self-reflection. She discusses the fears she encountered duri...
Holiday Recovery Tips for Active Women: How to Stay on Track While Regaining Your Period 11.12.2024 50:14
In this episode of the Period Recovery Podcast, Cynthia discusses the challenges women face during the holiday season while recovering their periods. She addresses family dynamics, the emotional toll of weight gain, and the longing for pregnancy, providing actionable tips for navigating these sensitive topics. Cynthia emphasizes the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and maintaining a...
Sam's Journey to Regain Her Menstrual Cycle After Bodybuilding, Birth Control, and Disordered Eating 27.11.2024 41:34
For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com
Taking Back Our Health: The Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign Doctors Ignore 13.11.2024 53:42
Lisa Hendrickson-Jack is a certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner who teaches women to chart their menstrual cycles. In this episode of the Period Recovery Podcast, Cynthia talks to Lisa Hendrickson-Jack about using the menstrual cycle as an important vital sign of overall health. They explore the misconceptions surrounding Primary Amenorrhea and Hypo...
Stronger, Healthier, and Balanced: Getting Your Period Back As An Active Woman 30.10.2024 31:21
In this episode of the Period Recovery Podcast, Cynthia discusses the critical relationship between menstrual health and athletic performance. She addresses common fears athletes have about regaining their periods, emphasizing that recovery can lead to improved strength, endurance, and overall health. The conversation covers the importance of hormonal balance, the consequences of missing periods,...
No Period to PREGNANT ! Tatyana's Story... 16.10.2024 1:01:02
In this episode of the Period Recovery Podcast, Tatyana shares her inspiring journey from struggling with Hypothalamic Amenorrhea to celebrating her pregnancy. She discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of seeking help, and the role of community support in her recovery. Tatyana reflects on societal pressures regarding body image and the impact of her past experiences with the pill. She...
Libido, Intimacy and Hypothalamic Amenorrhea with The Libido Fairy 02.10.2024 35:46
In this conversation, Cynthia and Hannah - The libido fairy discuss the topics of Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA), libido, and intimacy. They explore the connection between HA and the absence of menstrual periods, as well as the role of the hypothalamus in regulating the menstrual cycle. They emphasize the importance of nourishing the body with enough food and rest to support the recovery of HA. Key...
The 5 Mistakes That Are Keeping Your Period From Coming Back 18.09.2024 30:34
In this episode, Cynthia discusses the five biggest mistakes women make when trying to recover their periods from Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA). These mistakes include: Not eating enough Over-exercising Not gaining enough weight Staying in a constant state of stress Lacking patience with the recovery process Cynthia emphasizes the importance of addressing these mistakes in order to restore hormonal...
When You Don't Always Lose Your Period in HA 04.09.2024 41:20
Sarah shares her journey of regulating her menstrual cycle and conceiving two children. She initially experienced irregular periods after coming off birth control, which led her to make lifestyle changes. She stopped intermittent fasting, ate more balanced meals, and dialed back her intense exercise routine. Through these changes, she was able to regulate her cycle and conceive her first child. Af...
Will This Ever End? Finding Meaning in the Unknown & Challenges of Recovery with Natalie Rose 21.08.2024 46:58
Natalie Rose shares her journey of struggling with body image, dieting, and disordered eating, as well as her path to recovery and becoming a therapist specializing in disordered eating. She emphasizes that disordered eating and body image issues can impact quality of life, even if a person hasn't lost their period. Natalie discusses the normalization of calorie counting and dieting, and how these...
Similar podcasts
Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.