How To Regain Your Period: Top 25 Tips
Eating disorders, going on and off the pill, being at a low weight and struggling hormonal imbalances can all cause us women to lose our periods. Whether you've lost it for a few months or haven't seen it in years, when we don't have a period, it's a sign that our bodies are not in a happy place.
Why?
When we get a menstrual cycle it's an indication that our bodies are at ease, comfortable and able to have children. Sure, some of you may not want to have children right now but the essence of human existence is to procreate. When we can't have babies, our bodies are telling us that there are more important functions that they need to focus on like digesting food, breathing, pumping blood (aka the essentials for life).
Sometimes it's convenient and less of a hassle to not have a period, I get it. But if your intention is to life a healthy, vibrant life, having a period part of the puzzle.
I understand that many of you out there haven't got your period in years. While it is beyond my scope of knowledge to tease out all the intricacies of hormonal imbalances, I have outlined a few things that you can apply today (if you haven't tried it already) that could help you on the path of restoring and regaining your period, in particular if you come from a past of eating disorders and being underweight.
My top 25 natural methods on healing yourself and getting your period back:
Vegan Diet
Eat a colourful plant-based diet.
Include healthy fats at each meal, especially seeds, nuts, nut/seed butters, non-dairy milk, coconut and coconut butter and avocado. Hormones love good fats. Be serious about including them.
Increase your protein intake. Focus on soy-based products like tofu, tempeh and soy milk, and don't forget hemp seeds, protein powder, quinoa legumes and beans.
Eat your leafy greens.
Make cruciferous vegetables your friends.
Don't fear carbohydrates. Include sweet potatoes, pumpkin, butternut, rye bread, rice, oats and barley.
Include fermented food like miso paste, kimchi, kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut.
Start seed cycling. Unsure what that is? Head here.
Eat regularly and consistently. Don't keep the body guessing as to when it will receive food.
Nutritional Supplements
Invest in a solid multivitamin. I use this one.
Depending on your hormonal levels, take Casteberry or include maca powder with your food (if you are low on testosterone).
Look into Chinese herbal medicine (but first chat to a Chinese doctor for guidance).
Take a daily probiotic.
Exercise or Rest
Cut down on the high intensity exercise. In some instances, I would suggest in cutting out exercise entirely.
Focus on yoga and weight training instead of running, HIIT and Crossfit. These forms of exercise are less stressful for the body and give the body time and space to repair.
Emotional Support
The mental aspect of healing is as important as the physical (if not more!). Go to therapy. Talk about your eating patterns. Express which foods cause you anxiety. The more we open up, the more we open to healing.
Find a women's circle where you feel safe to share with other women and ask for help.
Journal. Give yourself time to reflect. Write down your nighttime dreams. Become aware of your subconscious fears and desires.
Consider going to a Chinese doctor for regular acupuncture.
Take yourself to the doctor and go for a blood and hormone test. Understand where your body is at and what is needing. Sometimes we can feel in the dark and having some numbers and science can help guide us in the right direction.
Go to a dietician. They are able to assist you in gaining weight by offering food options and constructing tailored meal plans. Sometimes all you need is someone holding your hand through the daunting nutrition side of things.
General Lifestyle
Sleep, sleep, sleep! It's a non-negotiable for the body to restore, repair and regenerate.
I know our lives are hectic, work can be demanding and worrying about our period can cause pressure but try not to stress. I know it's not easy! Consider taking yourself on a little holiday.
Meditation. Find time for stillness. My favourite guided meditations are by Tara Brach - she has a great podcast too.
Be in nature. Reconnect to the earth. Play, roll, jump, hang. It's grounding, enlivening and good for the soul.
PS and full disclosure: I would like to add that it took me about 9 months to regain my period after coming off the pill and even now it's still not totally regular.
Patience and perseverance. Give your body time to recover. Speak to yourself kindly. Take care of yourself.
Life is fun and it is here for you to live it with joy! You deserve it.
I love you.
Francesca xx
Image: Photo by George Tsapakis on Unsplash