The Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Podcast

Learn more about the next Rest Retreat
https://thehasociety.com/retreat

In today’s episode, we’re answering two powerful (and very common) questions we see during hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) recovery:

1. Can you work out 4x per week during recovery? One listener shares that she’s gained weight, regained two periods, and is feeling more stable—but recently increased her training from 3 to 4 days per week (upper/lower split with longer sessions).

We break down:
Whether 4 workouts per week is appropriate at this stage
The difference between “feeling fine” vs. true recovery safety
How intensity, volume, and recovery all matter more than just frequency
Signs your body might still be under stress (even if cycles have started returning)
How to approach exercise without risking setbacks

2. Why does anxiety increase during recovery? Another listener opens up about feeling more anxious now than before recovery—despite eating 3000+ calories and not exercising.

We dive into:
Why recovery can actually heighten anxiety (and why this is normal)
The mental shift from control → uncertainty
Obsessive tracking of “micro wins” (BBT, ovulation signs, etc.)
How healing your body can temporarily dysregulate your mind
Practical ways to reduce anxiety and feel more grounded during this phase

Join The HA Society
http://thehasociety.com/join

Work 1:1 with us to get your period back
http://thehasociety.com/coaching

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The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

In this episode, Dani, Ashley, and Mishi break down the lesser-known symptoms of hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) and why a missing period is often just the tip of the iceberg.
From digestive issues to bone loss like osteopenia and osteoporosis, many of the symptoms we see in practice feel like “medical mysteries”… or are even normalized as part of the female experience. Some are unexpectedly praised, like low blood pressure, despite being signs of a deeper issue.
We dive into how all of these symptoms connect back to a low energy state and why your body may be shutting things down in response.
The good news?
Many of these symptoms begin to resolve naturally when your body is properly nourished and energy is restored.
If you’ve been dealing with confusing symptoms and a missing period, this episode will help you connect the dots and understand what your body is really trying to tell you.

We have a Library of articles from elevated AST, low ferritin and digestive issues:
https://www.thehasociety.com/articles

Join the Mastermind
https://holistichapractitioner.com/mastermind

Work 1:1 with us to get your period back
http://thehasociety.com/coaching

Visit us on YouTube
https://youtube.com/c/danisheriff

Follow us on IG
http://instagram.com/thehasociety
http://instagram.com/danisheriff
https://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_
https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarcia

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

In this episode, Dani, Mishi, and Abby sit down to unpack a question that most people think they know the answer to…What does it actually mean to be healthy?
Because right now, we’re being flooded with wellness advice, trends, and “healthy” lifestyles…
But much of what’s being sold as health is actually just a look. And that’s where things start to break down.
In this conversation, we challenge the mainstream definition of health and bring it back to what actually matters:
👉 your physiology
👉 your menstrual cycle
👉 and your overall well-being (not just how your body looks)
We talk about why your cycle should be front and center in the health conversation and how ignoring it is one of the biggest blind spots in modern wellness.
In this episode, we cover:
Why most “health” advice is actually selling you an aesthetic
The difference between looking healthy vs. being healthy
Why your menstrual cycle is a key indicator of true health
How to use your cycle (charting/FAM) as a diagnostic tool
The disconnect between diet culture and female physiology
How societal conditioning shapes your definition of health
The mental and emotional side of health (that often gets ignored)
Why many women are praised for habits that are actually harming them
How to redefine health in a way that actually supports your body
Key Takeaway:
Health isn’t something you can see at a glance.
It’s reflected in how your body is functioning and for women, your menstrual cycle is one of the clearest signals you have.
If your version of health is costing you your cycle, your energy, or your relationship with food…
it’s worth asking: 👉 Is it actually health? Or just what you’ve been taught to chase?

Metabolism article and video:
https://www.thehasociety.com/articles/why-weight-gain-happens-during-hypothalamic-amenorrhea-recovery

Learn more about HHAP:
https://www.holistichapractitioner.com/

Work 1:1 with us to get your period back
http://thehasociety.com/coaching

Visit us on YouTube
https://youtube.com/c/danisheriff

Follow us on IG
http://instagram.com/thehasociety
http://instagram.com/danisheriff
https://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_
https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarcia
https://www.instagram.com/abbylowekey/

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

In this episode, I sit down with past client and HHAP graduate, Lucy C, to share her powerful recovery story from a long-standing eating disorder and hypothalamic amenorrhea.
Lucy opens up about how her eating disorder began early in life as a response to bullying, and how it evolved into a severe coping mechanism that impacted both her physical and mental health for years.
In this episode we cover:
The reality of living with a severe eating disorder
Navigating recovery while following a vegan lifestyle
The moment Lucy surrendered to the recovery process and allowed her body to change
How weight gain played a crucial role in both her mental and physical healing
Being advised to go on HRT and how she navigated that decision
What actually helped her restore her cycle after years of HA

Lucy also shares what it’s been like stepping into the role of a practitioner through the HHAP certification, and how she now supports other women on similar journeys.
This episode is a reminder that no matter how long you’ve been struggling, you are not too far gone to heal.

Become a HHAP Coach:
https://www.holistichapractitioner.com/

Work 1:1 with us to get your period back
http://thehasociety.com/coaching

Visit us on YouTube
https://youtube.com/c/danisheriff

Try our beef liver & oyster:
https://www.joolwellness.com/

Follow us on IG
http://instagram.com/thehasociety
http://instagram.com/danisheriff
https://instagram.com/ashley_marie_smith_
https://www.instagram.com/itsmishigarcia

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.

Lucy (Dr. Weeks), a student of the HHAP program, comes on the show today to share her story of amenorrhea, many unsuccessful rounds of IVF, two successful rounds of IVF, her experience as a student doctor and practicing doctor who is also dealing with this issue.
Join The Period Recovery Mastermind
https://holistichapractitioner.com/mastermind

Work 1:1 with us to get your period back
http://thehasociety.com/coaching

Visit us on YouTube
https://youtube.com/c/danisheriff

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician.