The Period Recovery Podcast

In this conversation, Cynthia and Caitie discuss body image and the challenges that come with it, particularly during the summer season. They emphasize the importance of working towards healing for your overall well-being. They also explore the normalization of body image struggles and the need to redefine what is considered normal. The conversation touches on topics such as bathing suits, social...

Erietta is from Greece and lost her period due to a combination of stress, excessive exercise, and weight loss even though she never was pursuing trying to change her body or become 'more fit'. She initially ignored the signs that her body was giving her that something was up with her period and continued her lifestyle. Prior to working with Cynthia she decided to pursue fertility treatment and su...

In this conversation, Bria Gadd and Cynthia discuss the topic of periods and the challenges faced by women in their mid to late thirties and beyond. They explore the impact of factors such as exercise, nutrition, stress, and sleep on menstrual health. Bria shares her personal experience of losing her period and the journey to understanding the role of hormones and the transition of menopause. They...

In this solo podcast episode, Cynthia discusses the five biggest myths and misconceptions surrounding hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) or missing periods. She starts by addressing the mainstream medical approach to HA, which often involves prescribing birth control pills. Cynthia emphasizes that her approach as a registered dietitian is different and aims to provide better information for making infor...

Bailee a teacher & nature enthusiast from Utah, shares her journey of losing her period and struggling with infertility. She discusses the societal pressures and body comparisons that contributed to her disordered eating and exercise habits. Bailee recounts her experiences with various doctors who were unable to provide a clear diagnosis or effective treatment.  She hired a functional med doct...

In today's episode, we sit down with Holly, a past client, a certified acupuncturist who shares her remarkable journey from missing periods + eating disorders to regular healthy cycles ! Holly opens up about her experience with birth control, having been on and off it for over a decade. Seeking alternatives, she delved into Chinese medicine, hoping to restore her period without facing potential we...

Past client Sarah 41,  resides in Ireland and works in Ministry.  Just like you, Sarah wondered- will I always be this weight? When Sarah stepped into the spotlight to share her deeply personal journey of battling the fear of weight gain during period recovery, she not only opened her heart but also paved the way for a profound discussion about body image, health, and self-acceptance. This episode...

In this SOLO episode, I  discuss the concept of ambivalence in relation to period recovery.  Key Takeaways: Ambivalence is a common experience in period recovery, as it involves conflicting desires to recover and stay in a familiar and comfortable place. Getting support is crucial in overcoming ambivalence and creating a solid foundation for recovery. Factors such as the fear of weight gain, socia...

Caitie, a fellow Registered Dieitian and I sit down to talk about the biggest fear in period recovery. Weight gain & body changes. Struggling with body image while trying to regain your period can feel like a never ending battle, but it doesn't have to be. Caitie joins us with her expertise in nutrition and body image coaching, providing insights and strategies to help you embrace your body's...

Have you ever paused to consider the true weight of the words "informed consent," especially when it comes to birth control? Join me, Cynthia Donovan, and our insightful guest, Nicole Bendayan, as we shed light on the oft-overlooked nuances of women's health and empowerment. This episode is a testament to the strength and resilience of women navigating the healthcare system, where Nicole's persona...

Katy, a former physical therapist who loves running marathons, lost her period. Katy’s world turned upside down with a rare cancer diagnosis and the ensuing battle with amenorrhea, she never imagined that her fight for health would take her down a path of extreme behaviors with food + exercise. Katy’s story exposes the raw struggle many face with body image, the mental toll of living in a former l...

When love confronts the hurdles of health, the bonds we share are tested in ways we never expect. Join us as Dylan, the devoted husband to my client Isabelle, opens up about their shared path through the complexities of Hypothalamic Amenorrhea recovery. Their story is a poignant reminder of the resilience required in the face of eating disorder battles and the profound influence of unwavering part...

Isabelle is an accountant who lives in the state of Washington with her husband who is a nurse, Dylan. Isabelle grew up in a family of women who had a lot to say about their bodies. Isabelle decided to get ready for her senior prom and that’s when it all really began. Isabelle was also married in the depths of her eating disorder and she was scared into recovery when she found out all the health i...

Dr. Shufelt is leading the way when it comes to hypothalamic amenorrhea research! Dr. Shufelt is the Chair of the Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida . If you want to know the most updated information when it comes to HA, this is a MUST LISTEN episode!  We talk about it all today, including: HA is underreported, understudied, and undertreated, but it is much more common...

Laura is a busy working mom of 3 young kids, sharing her struggle with unexplained infertility, lack of food freedom, and waiting longer than she expected to get her period back. Laura spills the beans on what it took to navigate the challenges of her missing period amidst the chaos of a full-time working Mom. We dive into some juicy insights that Laura learned on her road to recovery: The myth of...

Erin is a medical student in her 20s who lost her period after going on a restrictive diet due to digestive issues and exercise. Thinking she was her healthiest self, her Mom & Grandma thought differently. She shares how she flipped the script from rigid routines to relishing life's little joys. It's a real story about finding balance in health,  with lessons and inspiration for your own perio...

Joined today by my friend and colleague Lindsey Lusson, we talk all about our brand new Period Recovery Practitioner Program (PRP)! If you are any type of health practitioner, then this episode is for you - we want to support other healthcare practitioners on how to appropriately support women who are experiencing hypothalamic amenorrhea. Key points we delve into: Statistics on the prevalence of H...

Welcome to our first episode of the Period Recovery Podcast for 2024! Have you worked with a naturopath before? Dr. Kela and I talk about this topic in how it relates to missing periods. Dr. Kela experienced HA herself and now is a renowned Holistic-Integrative Doctor. Our conversation will enlighten you on your experience with a naturopath or support you in deciding if one might be a good fit for...

Welcome to our last episode of the Period Recovery Podcast for 2023!! Reagan is a Registered Nurse and former Semi-Pro College Runner. Regan has regained her period for 6+ months now. We dive into her journey, exploring the ups and downs of losing her period and the steps she took to successfully reclaim it while running. In this episode:  Experiencing the loss of a period can surprisingly be a bl...

Welcome to another episode of the Period Recovery Podcast! In this week's engaging episode of the podcast, I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Emily Everton, an expert Women's Health Doctor of Physical Therapy and the founder of Embody Physical Therapy & Wellness. Emily brings a unique perspective to the table, sharing not just her professional insights but also her personal experienc...

As the festive season rolls in, we're all aware of the joy and the stress that come hand-in-hand with the holidays. In today's episode, I'll be sharing some thoughtful strategies to navigate the challenge of a missing period during this bustling time of the year. In this episode, we'll explore period recovery during the holidays: The importance of allowing yourself to enjoy food. Remember, nourish...

Welcome to another episode of the Period Recovery Podcast! This week, I am joined by Brittany , a previous client of mine, to share her story! Graduating from my coaching program in the summer of 2022, she has now recovered her period for a solid year! Brittany retells her story of how she lost her period discovering HA and gaining it back while breastfeeding. In our chat today, we brought up spec...

Welcome to another episode of the Period Recovery Podcast! Join me as I sit down with the remarkable Jenna Corsi . As a registered dietician, certified intuitive eating counselor, and body image coach, Jenna has a wealth of knowledge on fostering a positive relationship with food and oneself. Today, we dive deep into the topic of body image and its pivotal role in the journey of period recovery. D...

Welcome to another episode of the Period Recovery Podcast! This week, I'm thrilled to share an inspiring conversation with Katrina, a remarkable former client of mine. Katrina grew up as an athlete & never thought her active & over-achieving lifestyle was hurting her. Katrina opens up about losing her period & how she got it back in record time. She also shares all of the challenges sh...

For all the dancers and former dancers out there !! Join me today as I talk with Maria Dancer! Maria, better known as the Dance Scientist on Instagram, is a podcast host who has a ton of background in dance as a former dancer. Today we talk about dance and missing periods, as well as connecting the two of them together. Listen in for more: A missing period is like an injury; you aren’t in any pain...