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 Cardiovascular Health (ARCH) study: http://noperiod.info/ARCH - intake questionnaire https://www.mayo.edu/res...
Jul 24, 2025•58 min•Ep. 87
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 repairing relationships on the other side of HA. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self...
Jul 10, 2025•49 min•Ep. 86
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. Cynthia and Stephanie emphasize the importance of hydration, managing constipation, and the need for a ...
Jun 26, 2025•45 min•Ep. 85
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 nutritional and hormonal needs The impact of body image and restrictive eating on menstrual health ...
Jun 12, 2025•50 min•Ep. 84
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 a holistic approach to recovery. Drew shares her journey of period recovery, discussing the fears an...
May 29, 2025•49 min•Ep. 83
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 body image counseling and a toolkit of somatic healing modalities to help you feel more alive. Today...
May 15, 2025•51 min•Ep. 82
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 perceptions, the distinction between body neutrality and body positivity, and the unique challenges faced dur...
May 01, 2025•27 min•Ep. 81
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 with clients and leading talks and workshops worldwide, Silba brings a unique blend of science, sto...
Apr 17, 2025•51 min•Ep. 80
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 exercise, and the importance of building a strong foundation for future performance. Elena is a Registered...
Apr 03, 2025•36 min•Ep. 79
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 newfound freedom! Takeaways Jayden had always dreamed of having a baby girl and the fear of not being ab...
Mar 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 78
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 conceive a baby. The conversation delves into the emotional and physical toll of HA, the importance ...
Mar 06, 2025•39 min•Ep. 77
____________________________________________________________________________________ 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 launch of the REVEAL registry! This tool will help gather date worldwide from women, improve treatment,...
Feb 20, 2025•39 min•Ep. 76
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 constellation work, likening it to a theatrical play where participants embody family dynamics. Cynthia and T...
Feb 06, 2025•51 min•Ep. 75
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 part of Kelsi's recovery to help her build a life out of more than just exercise. In this conversation...
Jan 23, 2025•54 min•Ep. 74
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 during recovery, the significance of celebrating small victories, and how her life has changed for the be...
Dec 26, 2024•47 min•Ep. 73
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 flexible routine to support recovery during the holidays. She encourages listeners to focus on progres...
Dec 11, 2024•50 min•Ep. 72
For the full show notes - please visit my website: periodnutritionist.com
Nov 27, 2024•42 min
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 Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, especially in female athletes, the role of medical professionals, and the empowe...
Nov 13, 2024•54 min•Ep. 70
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, and practical steps for recovery, ultimately encouraging listeners to prioritize their health for lo...
Oct 30, 2024•31 min•Ep. 69
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 emphasizes the significance of letting go of control and embracing change, ultimately leading to a ...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 68
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 Takeaways Hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) is a condition characterized by the absence of menstrual peri...
Oct 02, 2024•36 min•Ep. 67
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 balance, improve overall health, and achieve long-term period recovery. She also highlights the nee...
Sep 18, 2024•31 min•Ep. 66
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. After nursing her first child, she got her period back and was able to conceive her second child. Sara...
Sep 04, 2024•41 min•Ep. 65
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 behaviors can become obsessive and harmful. She also highlights the importance of community support...
Aug 21, 2024•47 min•Ep. 64
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 events, and the vulnerability of exposing one's body. They encourage listeners to prioritize their b...
Aug 07, 2024•50 min•Ep. 63
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 successfully got pregnant through IVF. However, after her Son was 1 years old, she still felt the need...
Jul 24, 2024•37 min•Ep. 62
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 emphasize the importance of listening to our bodies, finding balance in our lifestyle, and recogniz...
Jul 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 61
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 informed decisions. She also highlights that HA is a global issue and can affect individuals of all shape...
Jun 27, 2024•33 min•Ep. 60
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 doctor which drew her deeper into HA. Despite being told she had PCOS, Bailee trusted her intuition and p...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 59
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 weight gain, a common concern with Hormonal Amenorrhea (HA). Navigating Challenges: Despite her effort...
May 30, 2024•52 min•Ep. 58
