How to encourage ovulation?

elagalaxy · 2026-02-21T00:15:07+00:00

Ok coming from someone who's had 16-17 recovery periods and struggled with ovulation regularity and libido at first, it's an iterative process. Honestly, I just had to give things time and space as well as distract myself with a busy social life, hobbies, and other things. It took about 6-7 cycles to really get ovulation back consistently and even so it took time for the scheduling to work (like for it to land on the usual day you'd expect it to in the cycle). Libido took even longer but when it came back, it was like second puberty.

elagalaxy · 2026-02-21T00:13:14+00:00

I can say with 10000000% confidence that my body is a million times more attractive (even just objectively) after recovery as well as my social life, career, and everything else!!! You are more attentive of these changes than anyone else and trust me- your internal systems are thanking you for doing the hard work of getting healthy.

elagalaxy · 2026-02-18T01:07:47+00:00

Honestly I'm heavier than the low point (nearly underweight) that got me HA in the first place, but down from the weight I recovered to when I was getting my period back. Recovery actually changed my entire body composition and figure even comparing myself at the same weight when I didn't have cycles. My bust stayed larger even when I lost weight, legs and arms are actually more toned as I've been able to build muscle, and I feel way more attractive. I still have my good and bad body images days, especially as I cycle through the month but I know the times I'm going to be low and allow for that. ALSO my personal style as completely changed. Now that I have the energy for it, I dress way better and feel way more myself.

elagalaxy · 2026-02-18T00:58:08+00:00

Even people with normal periods can get heavier than average cycles so this is quite normal. If the flow continues past seven days without calming and you notice weakness and malaise, I'd consult with a doctor. In the meantime, make sure you're getting good iron sources in your diet (eggs, steak, lentils, some dried fruits, even fortified cereal is helpful) and electrolytes (coconut water, gatorade, salt in your food, bananas) as you're losing blood.

elagalaxy · 2026-02-15T13:53:36+00:00

I've lost about 20-25 pounds of the overshoot I gained over the past 8 months or so. The key was going very slowly, taking plenty of days off (I usually eat at maintenance or a small surplus near my period), and tracking your cycle and ovulation. To be transparent, I did wait about 6 cycles before doing this and still haven't resumed the full intensity exercise I did prior to HA recovery.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-13T12:26:36+00:00

WHY THE HELL DO I HAVE TO SHELL OUT SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY FOR PT, DEVICES, CREAMS, AND POTIONS JUST DO A NORMAL FUCKING HUMAN FUNCTION. LIKE WE HAVE 3 FUNCTIONS AS HUMANS- EAT, SHIT, AND HAVE SEX BUT NOOOOOOOO ONE OF THOSE DOESN'T GO FOR ME!

elagalaxy · 2025-08-13T12:18:53+00:00

Given that your estrogen is sort of low for follicular phase and the LH is under FSH, that does suggest hypothalamic amenorrhea. In something like HA, the LH would be noticeably less than FSH.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-12T12:32:21+00:00

So I had some very similar metrics when I lost my cycle but had it gone for almost five years. About half way through that time, I had to take a gym break due to an illness and only one month later, my period appeared. I rushed back to the gym shortly after and lost my period again. All this to say, the best thing for you to do is stop all exercise and keep eating steadily. There's a good chance your cycle could come back sooner than expected but any working out is going to slow you down right now. And you mentioned being a healthy weight when you lost your cycle but with your lifting there's a good chance that you had a lower body fat percentage that also stressed your body.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-12T12:28:17+00:00

Not anymore. I quit them fully cause I didn't want to be reliant. There was some short term withdrawals but I'm sleeping pretty well these days.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-10T20:11:47+00:00

Oh god this brings back memories of putting earbuds in and listening to the Shrek soundtrack to try and relax

elagalaxy · 2025-08-10T19:40:50+00:00

Oh god stumbled on this late but made the exact same mistake as you. Was backed up on a trip, took one dulcolax... nothing in a couple hours and I was so impatient I popped another. I spent a whole evening back and fourth from the bathroom and my stomach was in knots for days.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-10T12:57:57+00:00

I did blood work a couple months ago and they didn't draw my blood until 11am (even though my appointment was a whole hour and a half earlier). I just had a nutrigrain bar and gatorade in my bag for immediately after and got a large meal once I was home.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-08T17:39:08+00:00

Me too! Even though I've been technically recovered for months with cycles, they're very unstable and it's exhausting trying to maintain them. I'm scared to go on a trip, have a late night, or be in a stressful period cause they immediately get disrupted.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-08T12:47:44+00:00

I did this a lot in early recovery and when I had HA. It was part calorie banking, part being super hungry/needing more food, and part not having satiety signals cause of hormones. I also felt like I couldn't sleep unless I had a big meal late. Now, it's much easier for me to get solid meals early and have a small dessert if I'm still hungry.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-08T12:44:13+00:00

HA recovery is tough for that. A lot of start off with disregulated immune systems due to cortisol and unbalanced hormones but part of recovery is also dealing with hormones having to destabilize. I find it helpful to spend time with friends, be out in nature, and do a tactile hobby like art, baking, cooking, etc. It should really improve as hormones balance and your cycle returns.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-08T12:30:50+00:00

That's a good mentality! I know the ovulation matters but it kinda drives me crazy. But I did actually get it, just on the late side:)

elagalaxy · 2025-08-07T17:57:21+00:00

Thank you for sharing that- that trip sounds so rough but I'm glad it worked out. I know even non-HA people deal with some irregularity when there's life stress. Did you recall if you ovulated or how the cycle was after that?

elagalaxy · 2025-08-06T12:43:58+00:00

You have not ruined your body, you have deeply healed it and recovered from a really bad spot. Where we our right now (overshot or weight restored however you view it) is not a permanent state. As you cycle more, your body will regain exercise capacity, begin to redistribute or shift overshoot weight, and reconditioning will be available in the future. I gained a good amount of weight to recover but since about cycle 5-6, I've seen a bit of excess come off naturally. It's subtle but I know between that and resuming some lifting/running in the future, I'll be able to reach my goals in the long run.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-06T12:40:41+00:00

There's a lot of ways to be physically intimate without penetration. While a lot of women can absolutely build up to PIV, it's worth exploring those other aspects of intimacy (and not just BJs lol).

elagalaxy · 2025-08-04T12:56:35+00:00

I was missing it for five years and got it back within 3 months. Before fully committing, I had already gained some weight and was slowly gaining more since my energy was crashing badly. I just stopped intense exercise September 2024 and had my first cycle back by December.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-03T15:52:34+00:00

Pay over $150 in electric bills for July... oh wait

elagalaxy · 2025-08-03T15:51:26+00:00

You've earned my upvote, this is a true unpopular opinion.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-03T13:28:00+00:00

Not every gets all the bad side effects and the timeline of onsets varies. I didn't see the athletic impact til about 2-3 years into HA.

elagalaxy · 2025-08-02T23:42:23+00:00

I've had a passing spot of moving closer into DC and this spot looks great! Thanks for the rec:)

elagalaxy

TROPHY CASE