Hypothalamic Amenorrhea

Hypothalamic Amenorrhea is a condition in which menstruation stops for several months or years due to a problem involving the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a structure deep in the brain, that acts as the body’s coordinating and control centre. Its main function is to keep the body in a stable state called “homeostasis”. It does its job by directly influencing the autonomic nervous system and by managing hormones. Stress, disordered eating, being underweight, and too much exercise are the main causes of hypothalamic amenorrhea.

The cause and recovery timeline:

-My menstrual cycle started when I was 12 years old and I started taking the contraceptive pill when I was 15 years old – my body shed menstrual blood naturally for only 3 years!

-At 19 years of age I became underweight due to over training and under eating and this put a great deal of stress on my body. I got myself back to a healthy weight range within a year and the over-eating also put stress on my body.

–I stopped taking the contraceptive pill when I was 23 years old because I didn’t like how it was making me feel. I felt much more myself immediately afterward I stopped taking it, although my period didn’t come back. It didn’t bother me at the time, I trusted it would when my body was healthier.

-I partied hard in my early 20’s for about 5 years, taking recreational drug (ecstasy) most weekends.

-I became consumed by fitness and health at age 26. I studied and became a Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor.

-I competed in figure competitions (bodybuilding) at ages 27, 28 and 32. During these years my life consisted of not much more than – train, work, eat, sleep.

-I had breast implants inserted when I was 27 years old.

-Late 2010 I became aware of how imbalanced my life was and had a motorbike accident (NDE) early in 2011. Life’s way of showing me to slow down.

-I became interested in meditation, self-hypnosis and yoga and used these to discover greater self-awareness (body, mind and spirit).

-After completing most of the Landmark Worldwide curriculum I journeyed to Peru, South America to connect with Ayahuasca in 2014, 2015 and 2018. I also connected with Kambo about 10-11 times and Bufoalvarius 5MEO/DMT on one occasion.

-Through connecting with plant medicines my intention for getting my period back naturally became stronger and I explored Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Chinese Medicines and Kinesiology.

-I studied and became a Hatha, Yin and Kundalini Yoga Instructor,  and became a Reiki Master.

-I started menstrual cycle tracking – monitoring my symptoms and synching these with the moon cycle

-I completed ISTA (International School Temple Arts) Level I & II – Sexual Shamanic Initiation, followed by Master Your Pleasure, Shamanic Womb Journey and then studied Somatic Sexology and Certificate in Sexological Bodywork with IISS (International Institute Somatic Sexology)

-I have learnt so much on my healing journey and I’ve learnt so much through sharing Somatic Sexology with clients.

-Life and the all of the above modalities were showing me to slow the fuck down, achieve balance/harmony, embodiment, sexual and relational empowerment.

–One of my breast implants had ruptured and I had them both removed in December 2019. It was such a relief to get them out of my body. My immune system was in a constant state of stress while fighting and working to get these toxic bags out of my body.

–I moved to the Gold Coast, Queensland in 2020. My body feels so alive and healthy in the Queensland sunshine. I had a feeling this fertile land would be beneficial in many ways. Since moving to the Gold Coast, I have discovered a more feminine state of living.

-I had pelvic scans, brain scans, multiple blood tests and saw an Endocrinologist – who had nothing to offer other than reassurance.

Here is a list of things I have been doing in the past 1-2 years:

Supplements –DIM, Primal Energy Organ Capsules, Melatonin, Pre & Probiotics, Magnesium, Alkaline Water

Qi gong, Yoga, Meditation, Subliminal Sound Healing, Quality sleep

Body Integrity – listening to and honouring my body’s feelings in all aspects of life. Rest and movement guided by my body – no ingrained structure. Enjoying exercise for the sake of health, wellbeing and feeling food. No pushing, striving or competition.

I finally forgave myself fully for getting implants inserted all those years ago.

Epsom salts bath, Ice bath (contrast therapy), Sauna

Nourishing time/space with sisters.

Being in a Nourishing Relationship, Empowered Relating, Nourishing Intimacy & Sex, Embodying Interdependence

Nourishing Self-Pleasure – using crystal pleasure wand, self womb massage using castor oil

Hydro Colonics – once per month

Balancing hormones – Testosterone (giving/doing with agenda), Progesterone (giving/doing without agenda, Estrogen (receiving from others and Self without guilt) – See Video

Being completely unattached to outcome – no force/control. Trusting that my body would menstruate again if it wanted to, and that I would be okay if it didn’t.

Gratitude to these people:

Natasha Martin – Digestive Health Specialist

Dr Sue Raju – Hormone Specialist

Cindy Davis – Bottoms Up Hydro Colonics Nerang

Aaron Slape – Natural Therapy/Chinese Medicine

Luciano Bortolanza – Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine

Note – Please be in touch if you’d like me to elaborate further on any of the points here. I share my story however this is not medical advice.