Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: Signs of Recovery

During your recovery from hypothalamic amenorrhea, you should start noticing signs that tell you that your hormones are coming back to balance and that your period arrives soon. 

If you're new here and aren't sure what to do first in order to get your period back, start with this guide.

There are many signs that you may see when you start working towards recovery, which you can learn more about here. Some of them, like extreme exhaustion and extreme hunger, may seem scary at first, but know that they're normal and that you're on the right track. They won't last forever!

It's impossible to tell exactly how long it takes to get your period back, but if you keep taking all the right steps, you start seeing signs that assure you: Your hard work is about to pay off very soon!

If you have hypothalamic amenorrhea and you've been working towards recovery for a while, here are the signs that tell your period is close!

Your Breasts and Nipples Get Really Sore

Have you started eating more like I recommend in my Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Eating Guide?

Do your breasts feel heavier and fuller? This is exactly what happened to me when I was getting close to my first recovery period.

Your breasts may start to get fuller gradually as you're putting on weight, but there will likely be a point where they seem to be getting extra full. In addition, your nipples get sore. It may be even uncomfortable to take a shower or sleep on your belly!

Breast and nipple soreness are caused by changes in your hormone levels. Your breasts get sore usually after you have ovulated and your breasts continue to feel heavier and nipples more sensitive until your period comes. You may even want to wear an extra supportive or double bra (if you live in sports bras like I do!)

As your hormone levels drop and you get your period, soreness goes away.

When your breasts and nipples get sore, get excited, because you're getting closer to your period!

Your See Cervical Mucus

You simply can't miss that sign. If you see increased cervical mucus, it's a great hypothalamic amenorrhea recovery sign.

During your hypothalamic amenorrhea, you've probably been really dry down there. Now you start noticing more wetness and may even think about going and buying some panty liners… Which you had probably forgotten even existed!

You start to feel more wet and you also notice increased cervical mucus when you wipe yourself in the bathroom, especially after bowel movement. When you get a lot of mucus that looks like raw egg white, chances are that you're ovulating. Your period should arrive in about a week or two.

In a healthy cycle, it takes about 14 days from your ovulation to your period. But it's not uncommon that in the first recovery cycles, your period shows up in less than two weeks.

Notice though that sometimes you see quite a bit egg white mucus, but your period doesn't come in the next 14 days. That means that your body was almost ready to ovulate but didn't quite reach there. Just don't change anything — keep eating and resting as much as you can. Your body will try to ovulate soon again — usually in about next 14 days. Hopefully this time it will happen!

Increased cervical mucus is a surefire sign that your work is paying off and your period will show up soon.

Your Body Temperature Goes Up

Throughout a healthy cycle, our body temperatures change. Checking your body temperature each morning before getting out of the bed can be a good way to keep an eye on your ovulation.

Here's how your body temperature gives you an idea of what's going on: After you have ovulated, your body temperature goes up.

For example, during the first half of my cycle, my body temperature is usually 97.3F/36.2C. After I ovulate, it always goes up to around 98F/36.6C. I can also feel it as my body is much warmer (and my boobs feel even heavier and also warmer!)

You could check your body temperature even if you haven't had your first recovery period, but honestly, it may also stress you out if you're still quite far from recovering. Instead of taking your temperature every morning, it's easier and less stressful to pay attention to your cervical mucus instead.

But if you do check it and notice a significant change in your body temperature, plus you have the other signs mentioned here too, you can be very sure that you get some exciting new in about 2 weeks.

The Position of Your Cervix Changes

One more way to tell if your period is on its way is to check your cervix.

Normally, your cervix is easy to find and feels hard. When you ovulate though, its position and firmness change: It seems to be higher so that you may not be able to reach it. It may be harder to find also because it has become wetter and softer and has blended in with the walls of your vagina.

Conclusion

These are the main signs that tell you that your period is around the corner and that you're about to get your first period after hypothalamic amenorrhea.

The easiest way to keep an eye on your body's changes is to check your cervical mucus because that's what you see anyway every time you go to the bathroom.

Also your breasts get heavier and nipples more sensitive as you approach your period.

The other two, tracking your body temperature and checking your cervix position can be helpful, but they take a little more work and can be more stressful. I would start with the first two signs. Especially the egg white cervical mucus won't lie!

Lost your period? 

I have helped many women to get their periods back. Read their stories here.