Real Talk about some of my Health Changes with Body Changes

Here's Something that I haven't shared before but think is important to address. (Not for people who are sensitive to women's menstruation talk).

For those of you who have followed me online for any amount of time you know my goal is to always be transparent, share from my heart, open up about my experiences, and provide value and support to you!

I know I'm not the only woman, especially fit focused woman, to go through this so I want to open up about it.

➡️I haven't had my period in almost 6 months. It seems as though when my body weight is below 135 pounds my period stops and I then have amenorrhea.

This is common for women with low body fat or more active and 'extreme' lifestyles. A lot of athletes will experience this. Unfortunately, it most often gets overlooked and ignored as it's 'normal' however, it really is NOT.

We women are MEANT to menstruate (lol that'd be a good hashtag). Amenorrhea can cause a lot of problems for women and I have finally scheduled an appointment with my doctors to discuss it because I have no plans of gaining weight over 130 pounds as my competition goals won't call for this.

After my first show in 2015 I didn't get my period after I hit about 130 pounds. I then didn't get it for over 6 months AFTER my show (almost a full year without it). Before and after this I was very regular though.

Now, it's not like I WANT my period because it's fun and dandy, honestly my period sucks and I get HORRIBLE cramps and sometimes can't even stand straight.

HOWEVER, because I know my body is meant to have cycles I know I need to check it out. My body also 'tried' to have a cycle during my prep (not going to detail on this as the women will get this and if not just DM me).

Because my body is trying, my body probably needs it. I also have terrible pains in my bones, especially my spine and have ever since I was about 12 years old and NOT ONE doctor or specialist can truly pinpoint WHY I suffer with so much pain (I'll save details for another post).

Given my body already suffers with pain in some bones and I had weak bones as a young child and knowing amenorrhea can lead to osteoporosis, this works AGAINST my health goals so I need to get ahead of it.

Amenorrhea can also lead to other unfortunate health problems that I do not want to experience as it would interfere with my future life goals.

While it may be 'normal' for competitors and I'm not begging to get it back I do want answers and would rather be safe than sorry even if the doctors tell me what I already know, at least I won't be concerned and can know what to do 😊

To everyone who has read this, my main message is to LISTEN to your body and HONOR it. It's important to love your body in every way possible and make sure you are taking care of it on all levels. Pay attention to the signs your body is giving you, there's a reason for all of them. ​

---