Mar 15, 2026
3 min read
Experts in gynecology and endocrinology warn that restrictive diets and vigorous exercise cause a hormonal "blackout" with serious risks for bone, cardiovascular and immune health.
In a society that often values extremely thin bodies and unlimited athletic performance, the disappearance of the menstrual cycle has been misinterpreted as a symbol of discipline or mere convenience.But for doctors, amenorrhea is the final sign that your metabolism has entered survival mode.
Amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menstruation.In an interview with Dr.Marián Obiol Saiz, gynecologist and member of the gonad, identity and sexual diversity working group of the Spanish Society for Endocrinology and Nutrition (GIDSEEN), he has known two main types of this.
"The ovarian cycle is complex, so different factors can cause a specific bump or delay"
Primary amenorrhea occurs when "a woman does not start menstruating, and secondary amenorrhea is when a woman stops menstruating after having a period," explains the gynecologist.The ovarian cycle "is complex and requires the proper functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian hormonal axis, so many factors can cause it to decrease or be delayed," explains the gynecologist.an expert.
It usually doesn't go away overnight.There are subtle changes that many women experience that indicate that something is wrong with them.
Delays of "a few days, periods become shorter and with less bleeding, a month without menstruation and the following month a "mini-period", all these small changes produce a total stop of bleeding," explains the doctor.
"Delays in Girls and Adolescents Are Dangerous and Harm Hormonal Health in the Future."
In girls and teenagers, they are particularly dangerous, because "they can delay menarche and compromise hormonal health in the future", says the expert.
For this reason, the doctor recommends starting the study of amenorrhea "six months after its discovery or after a period corresponding to three missed cycles, always ruling out pregnancy first".
Save space
But why do you lose your period? The human body "lives day by day" and in the face of very sudden weight loss or restrictive diets "the body makes adjustments and priorities. The menstrual cycle is not a priority, and as a result, menstrual changes occur," says the gynecologist.
“In evolutionary terms, it's a defense,” says Dr.Obiol.“Pregnancy in a time of energy restriction is not beneficial for the woman or her offspring.”
In case of low calorie intake and energy expenditure, "metabolism decreases, levels of leptin, the satiety and fat storage hormone, and thyroid hormones decrease. Cortisol, the stress hormone, increases and the hypothalamus stops releasing GnRH, which inhibits the production of estrogen in the ovaries," explains the doctor.
"Hypothalamic amenorrhea appears as the result of a strict diet or vigorous exercise and is never healthy."
Gynecologist In addition to their gynecological effects, estrogens are "critical to women's health because of their involvement in cardiovascular, bone, and immune health."Thus, hypothalamic amenorrhea caused by hypothalamic dysfunction "is the result of a restricted diet or strenuous exercise, which is not healthy in any way."
THE ROLE OF DIETS
The effect of current nutritional trends is often detrimental to menstrual health, says Dr. Pablo Fernández Collazo saying "although a ketogenic diet that restricts carbohydrates in women with polycystic ovary syndrome may improve the hormonal profile and regulate cycles, more studies are needed to be sure."
When it comes to intermittent fasting, the expert is cautious: "With the same caloric intake, it has not shown strong hormonal benefits compared to other diets and we do not know whether longer periods of fasting predispose more to hypothalamic amenorrhea."
There is no supplement that reactivates menstruation, to overcome amenorrhea, the treatment is a balanced diet and sufficient physical exercise.
In this sense, going to supplements appears to be a good option to regain menstrual health.However, it is important to clarify that, according to endocrinologists, "there are no supplements that speed up the process of reactivating the menstrual cycle. To solve hypothalamic amenorrhea, the treatment is an adequate diet."
In the same way exercise "It is one of the most important things in health and longevity. It also has a very positive effect on hormonal health," explained the doctor.
Knowing the menstrual cycle and being careful about excessive exercise and extreme dietary restrictions "is the answer to maintaining women's health," the doctors conclude.
*Content is prepared by specialized health journalists and approved by a panel of high-level experts.However, we advise the reader to consult a healthcare professional with any health-related questions.
