One of the trickiest parts of Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA) recovery isn’t just the eating more, training less, or watching your body change. It’s navigating how much of that to share with the people around you—and whether to share it at all.
I get it. When I was going through HA recovery, I didn’t just tell a few close friends. I shared it with everyone. My family, my friends, my colleagues… even the thousands of people who follow me on Instagram. And while I’ll admit I’m a chronic oversharer by nature, I can honestly say I’m overwhelmingly glad I did it.
But that doesn’t mean it’s the right move for everyone.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, so I want to walk you through some of the pros and cons of sharing your HA recovery journey—and some gentle guidance on how to navigate those conversations if you decide to open up.
The Pros of Sharing
You’ll likely receive more support than you expect
Recovery can feel lonely—but it doesn’t have to be. Once you open up, you might be surprised by how many people rally around you. Whether it’s emotional encouragement, practical help (like inviting you to lunch instead of a workout), or just someone to vent to—it makes a difference.
You can feel more at ease with the changes your body is going through
Telling others what’s going on can reduce some of the self-consciousness that comes with gaining weight, eating differently, or saying “no” to workouts. It creates context—and it reminds you (and them) that there’s purpose behind those changes.
It helps shut down unhelpful comments
You know the ones—“You’ve been eating so much lately,” “Aren’t you working out today?” or “You look different.” Being upfront about what you’re doing can prevent those comments before they even happen. People are much less likely to judge when they understand why you’re making changes.
You help normalise an incredibly common—but rarely talked about—issue
HA is more common than we think, especially among active women. By speaking up, you may end up helping someone else feel less alone—or even inspire them to seek help.
The Cons of Sharing
It’s a vulnerable thing to share
Even though recovery is a strong and empowering decision, it can feel deeply personal. Opening up about your relationship with food, exercise, and your body might feel uncomfortable—especially if you’re someone who tends to keep things private.
And while most people will be kind, not everyone will get it. That’s not a reflection on you—it’s just the reality that some people might not fully understand HA, or what it takes to heal from it.
You Don’t Have to Share Everything With Everyone
Something I remind clients often: you get to choose the level of detail you share with different people.
You might want to have open, honest conversations with your partner, your family, or close friends—while keeping things more general with coworkers, acquaintances, or gym buddies.
For example:
To a close friend:
“I’ve actually been going through something called hypothalamic amenorrhea, which basically means I lost my period due to a combination of under-eating, over-exercising, and stress on my body. I didn’t realise how much it had been affecting my health until I started learning more about it. So now I’m intentionally eating more, moving my body differently, and trying to give myself the space to heal—even if that means gaining weight or slowing down for a while. It’s been a big mindset shift, and it’s not always easy, but I’m doing it because I want to take care of my body long term.”
To a coworker or casual friend:
“I’m prioritising rest and recovery a bit more right now, so I’m taking a step back from training for a while.”
You’re not being dishonest—you’re just protecting your energy.
So, Should You Share?
Only you can answer that.
If it feels like sharing will bring you support, accountability, or relief—it might be worth having that conversation.
If it feels too raw or risky, that’s okay too. You don’t owe anyone your full story.
Just know this: you’re not alone. HA is something so many women experience, even if they never say it out loud. Whether you decide to share your journey or keep it private, your recovery is still valid, powerful, and deeply important.
And if you ever do want to talk about it—I’m here.
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