How I Recovered from Amenorrhea Part 1

This is part one of me describing the long story of my journey to recover from hypothalamic amenorrhea.
Leave questions below! I am not afraid to share all of my journey with you!
Here in Part 1 I talk about the plans I made, how they changed, and how I felt going through it. No holding back here! I share macronutrient percentages that worked for me, foods I incorporated, and how my training changed throughout. I also share how I felt psychologically with the drastic changes, weight gain, etc.
The podcast that helped me:
Part 1:
www.mixcloud.com/Balancedbite...
Part 2:
www.podcastchart.com/podcasts/...
"Only So Many Days" by Flat 12 from the album "Tell the Big Blue Sky" on iTunes.
Check out more original music from Mauro Colangelo at www.maurocolangelo.com
I am not a doctor. This information is being shared because it is my personal experience. If you have serious health concerns, please seek the care of a licensed medical practitioner.
If you read this far...LIKE AND SHARE!!

[@pnut5469]

Also thank you for this video it made me feel so much better today😁 I feel hopeful and not alone

[@hottamaledancer]

I am SO excited to go through all your videos!!! I haven't had a period in about 2.5 years, and I have a nagging feeling it's for the same reasons as you. Perhaps a bit of a wonky pituitary gland, but I am so similar to you- lactose intolerance, not celiac, but wheat and gluten flares my eczema and gives me esophageal distress, likely overtraining, have the beginnings of RA in my fingers (yay genetics), and have been trying to be fat-adapted as well. So happy to have found you, and hopefully glean a lot of useful info and hopefully beat amenorrhea! THANK YOU:)

[@jillcolangelopsych]

I am happy you found me too! You're so welcome!!

[@PURPLERESS]

dear jill. thank you so much for making this video! i feel so lucky to find this. i have a question about eating more. do yo think that eating more calories gradually will help? like putting 200 more calories every week instead of suddenly intake a lot. thank you so much. you means a lot.

[@sabinahart1593]

Hi Jill. Goodness am I glad I have found you - or rather, maybe you found me on Instagram first...Not entirely sure. You are giving me the courage to acknowledge that my amenorrhea and recent finding of slight hypothyroidism may be due to over-training. I tried eating more and more, but it's just not happening. This week I de-train. As anxious as I am, I feel a sense of support through your videos. Question: at what point did you realize you had to get tested for celiac? What food allergy testing have you completed and found to be valid? Thank you so much for making these videos. You are a breath of fresh knowledge for the stubborn like me!

[@jillcolangelopsych]

Hello Sabina! Welcome!! I am so happy that I can help you feel good about putting your health first! I made a video about celiac (or some aspects of it ) a while back, so do check that out. In the meantime I was diagnosed with celiac disease 16 years ago...long before I started training for ultras or dealt with amenorrhea. I had food allergy tests when I was diagnosed as part of the process, but I was in a different headspace at that time and really could not tell you what tests they were. I do know what foods I am to avoid, but have never had additional testing. I understand being stubborn!! Peace comes from letting go...you will see. You can always email me or schedule a call if you have questions!! XO

[@amandaczerwieniec3269]

I hear you! This is so me... I've been in a cycle of increased over training, low caloric input, and little rest. About a year ago I was dx with female athlete triad syndrome due to my training schedule. I have since been working on cutting back on cardio & focus on strength training but it's still way too much. I want to regain my hormonal balance but I fear weight gain. I need to just suck it up and do what needs to be done to be healthy! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@jillcolangelopsych]

I wish you the best of luck! It's so important to focus on your health and make the hard choices to get your hormones back on track. Don't give up!!

[@amandaczerwieniec3269]

Thank you so much! I have slowly decreased training especially cardio. I am obsessed with strength training though. I am seeing my doctor next week but until then I am trying to eat at least 2500 cals & move no more than 120-150 min a day. I also ordered the book "No Period. Now What?" I am determined to get my cycle back this year!! 2019 is the year of regaining my period!

[@TienTran-ik5ui]

@@amandaczerwieniec3269 did you have your period back?

[@emilyjohnson9612]

I just found your videos and have been watching all of them! I'm finding them so helpful. I too have been dealing with night sweats and currently i am in HA recovery -- but can you explain why the night sweats happen? Thank you in advance!

[@jillcolangelopsych]

Hello Emily! Take a peek at this video I made a while back and see if it answers your questions kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6nboHqVhJuaj5Y Hope this helps!!

[@annaj4614]

Very interesting video thank you. I am still figuring out what is wrong with me, saw so many health experts since 2018, bought your EBook now, also a trail runner with a lot of gut issues. Found some parallels: i also ate a lot of fat but because it did not cause bloating, seems it is digested before large intestin (where the bloating takes place...), Chocolate, Oliven, Avocado, nuts, seeds,... but was not afraid to eat dates fruits rice and before all the gut issues a lot of potatoes cornflakes,... was not afraid to eat 2500-3000kcal until summer 2018 but with increasing gut issues I had to let go potatoes and with the food restrictions from doctors I did eat enough I think, more close to 1800 to 2000 than 3000 and too less Protein...I did not have hypoglycemia or night sweat, in fact my body stoped sweating at all and my energy level got worse and worse. I also have that strange muscle aching, especially claves and underarms. I am at the point to do anything, my running form droped to 5k grandma jogging, so what, I even tried to eat meat again which kills my heart... i have to work at my stress level too, high cortisol since childhood (trauma? Vagus nerve/nervous system? Beliefs about myself?)... thanks for sharing ❤💕

[@pnut5469]

So you ran a little and got your period back or you quit completely?

[@maribelladuque6362]

how old are you? can these happen earlier like the 30 years?

[@lilylefkow-green9331]

how long did it take you to recover? Ive not had my period for around 3 years and ive been trying to get it back since the end of may. I think i might have had spotting last month but nothing since? Am I doing something wrong if it still hasnt come back? (I've gained alot of weight)

[@berlinwall6674]

I'm in a similar situation. I haven't had a period since I enlisted in the Army. It's been gone for more than 2 years now

[@jillcolangelopsych]

You can find answers to this question (and many others) in the ebook available on my blog. The free preview contains the answer to this very question!! Have a look www.acaseofthejills.com/new-products/

[@jsnatureclicks3185]

@@berlinwall6674 u got?

[@tweediekaye9681]

Ayye am new to your channel i dont even know if i have amennorea i am 19 without menses or any breat can assist me?

[@lindsayfoster4759]

When you say 1800, is that like if you burned 500 running, you’d eat 2300 total?

[@XX-is7ps]

That’s correct, that’s what she’s saying

[@farhanayasmin8911]

I just got my period recently thanks for such important imf 🥰

[@jillcolangelopsych]

You're welcome and congratulations!!

[@Angela-qh2dh]

Wait I didnt quite understand how much cals you ate and how much you added

[@jillcolangelopsych]

I didn't say how many calories I ate total, just the amount of calories I was looking to add in order to cover my caloric needs from exercise as well as basal metabolic rate. This number will be different for everyone.

[@nicolespruiell1568]

What did you use to find out your net calories vs calories out?

[@jillcolangelopsych]

I mentioned that I used to use the Livestrong/MyPlate website simply because I don't like it, ha ha ha! I never wanted to enjoy or get attached to using numbers for too long, so I purposely found a counter that is a bit clunky (and the mobile app is terrible!). It does have a huge database of foods, which is convenient. It also has a place where you can estimate caloric expenditure of exercise, although this is very misleading at times. The best feature is the pie chart of macronutrients that is generated when you input everything. I didn't really look at anything but this after I figured out the basics of increasing my calories. I absolutely didn't check my percentages more than once or twice a week...then when I had it dialed I stopped using it completely. I have not looked at the counter in probably 10 months at this point. My advice: find one that you hate!!

[@nicolespruiell1568]

acaseofthejills yea I understand I just have a hard time knowing how many calories I've burned and wanting to get 1800 on top of that.. I feel like I underestimate calories burned sometimes

[@jillcolangelopsych]

Totally get it...you're right! I was doing that for a loooong time.

[@umhamela1]

Hi Jill! I am so thankful for you sharing your story. Though I am still in the process of ruling my symptoms out, my gynaecologist suggested that I may have hypothalamic amenorrhea. So what did I do? I searched KZbin and found your videos. You briefly mentioned that you had night sweats. May I ask what other symptoms you had? I feel like I am going through menopause and I'm only 28! I babe night sweats, dry skin, some hair loss, heart palpitations, and of course amenorrhea. I hope to get my issues diagnosed, as I'm finding my own personal journey to be over four years of not knowing what is going on with my body. It's scary stuff! Again, thank you for sharing because you have certainly helped me! Xx

[@jillcolangelopsych]

Hi Amanda! Sorry for the delayed response! I am having internet issues since I moved to Italy...ok...lots to share about this journey! I suggest that you first go back and check out some of my earlier videos where I go into detail about symptoms, but here's the short version: YES, night sweats, hypoglycemia, terrible mood swings, insomnia (of course)...a lot of this was related to the WAY I ended up with HA (massive overtraining/undereating while training for ultramarathon), so your situation might be different... Please feel free to email me [e-mail] so that I can go into more detail or further answer your questions. I'd love to hear from you!! I'm happy you found me!! XOXO

[@AT-qe2vt]

Hi Amanda, Ive just read your reply and was wondering if you have gotten thru your amenorrhea? Ive just got my first period one week ago after loosing it for nearly 4 years. I wanted to reach out and share some of the things I ate and did to do this, but i was wondering if you were feeling better yet? I also received alot of important advice on hormones as I did three cycles of IVF egg retrieval for egg freezing, which ultimately showed me the things i needed to take/eat and do/not to do to regain my period. Lmk

[@SabrinaSustainableLife]

Yess my boobs have been hurting so bad too!! So swollen I was hoping this was a good sin

[@jillcolangelopsych]

It usually is!! Good luck and let me know!!!

[@SabrinaSustainableLife]

acaseofthejills how long after the boob pain did you get your period? I know it's prob different for everyone. I've gained 20 pounds and resting. Eating all the carbs. Been at this since October! But I didn't cut the workout till the last few months. I just recently went 100% in. I have the signs of a period, back pain, cramps, ance but no period! Hoping soon.

[@jillcolangelopsych]

Hi Sabrina! I know we already talked about this, but I want to answer here in case it helps anyone else. I started with breast pain almost immediately since I started gaining weight almost immediately. Since I went from an A to a FULL B (mini-C, hahaha), I had a LOT of sharp pain and discomfort that lasted all the way until I actually got my first period back. OUCH!

[@SabrinaSustainableLife]

acaseofthejills yep pain is still here!! I'm going on vacation next week and bet I'll get my period since I'll be relaxing and sleepin in 😂 coming prepared lol

[@jillcolangelopsych]

Oooh yes!! Have a wonderful time and be sure to update me!!

[@OmgRazan]

i just wanna scream at everyone wanting to be "healthy" and have healthy choices in their diet because these exactly are the type of food that fucked up my health. "natural choices" "organic choices" "healthy fats" "healthy carbs"!

[@MSJARELA]

I eat SO many carbs and still have amenorrhea! I average 180g of carbs a day. >:(

[@jillcolangelopsych]

There are many more factors involved than just the amount of any one macronutrient taken in...and it's going to be different for everyone... Don't lose hope!

[@biankaorosz5558]

Girl I eat more than 300g and almost 3000kcals (this is the amount I need to not be hungry all the time) still no period 🙄

[@MSJARELA]

@@biankaorosz5558 I'm sorry to hear that! Are you 100% all in? I know I'm not. :(

[@el5844]

Stop counting macros/calories, that might be holding you back. Also about 200g of carbs is the recommended minimum amount for HA recovery.

[@maribelladuque6362]

how old are you? can these happen earlier like the 30 years?

[@maribelladuque6362]

how old are you? can these happen earlier like the 30 years?

[@maribelladuque6362]

how old are you? can these happen earlier like the 30 years?

[@jillcolangelopsych]

This can happen to anyone who has gotten at least one period in their lives. It can happen to any woman at any time and at any age.