Alexandra Cane confirmed her menstrual cycle ‘came back’ on Mother’s Day on Sunday as she discussed her health journey with hypothalamic amenorrhea.
The former Love Islander, 29, previously revealed that her hormones were out of balance and that she had stopping having periods after losing weight and managing grief.
She subsequently disclosed she was suffering from functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, a medical condition which causes menstruation to stop for more than three months due to a problem involving the hypothalamus.
Recovering: Alexandra Cane confirmed her menstrual cycle ‘came back’ on Mother’s Day on Sunday as she discussed her health journey with hypothalamic amenorrhea
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain which is responsible for reproduction and releasing hormones to balance the body.
Speaking to her Instagram followers, Alexandra penned: ‘I can’t believe it… I just got my menstrual cycle back on a day that is all about the divine feminine.
‘I’ve been putting in the work behind the scenes to take care of my health, resting and putting myself as a priority… and it has PAID OFF!!!
‘This is by no means the end as I’ve still got a long way to go in terms of recovery.
Healing: The former Love Islander, 29, previously revealed that her hormones were out of balance and that she had stopping having periods after losing weight and managing grief
‘BUT this is the huge confidence boost that I needed that I’m going in the right direction.
‘I’m so f****ng happy. If you know, you know. To all my ladies doing the work… keep going. It is so so worth it,’ alongside the caption: ‘hypothalamicamenorrhearecovery’. (sic)
Hypothalamic amenorrhea can be caused by various factors including food restriction, weight loss, exercise, genetics, and an energy imbalance.
The condition results in energy conservation, which switches off non-essential bodily processes such as menstruation.
There are a variety of symptoms, which include infertility, lack of libido, poor temperature regulation, disturbed sleep, decreased bone mineral density and greater risk of bone fracture.
Candid: She subsequently disclosed she was suffering from functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, a medical condition which causes menstruation to stop for multiple months due to a problem involving the hypothalamus
In a candid post on her Instagram Story in January, Alexandra shared a screenshot of her hormone results as she was asked by a fan: ‘Have your periods returned since eating more/exercising less?’
She responded: ‘Not yet no, I’ve been told it can be a process and I just have to be patient. These were my test results – one of my hormones was totally out of balance…
‘Your health should come first above any aesthetic goal or other reasons for restricting food/over exercising.
‘Whether you want to lose weight/gain weight just make sure you’re doing it for health reasons and for better quality of life, not from pain.’
Focused: In a candid post in January, Alexandra shared a screenshot of her hormone results as she was asked by a fan: ‘Have your periods returned since eating more/exercising less?’
Practicing what she preaches, she revealed that she reduced her workouts and is now eating bigger, well-balanced portions to nourish her body.
She shared a stunning selfie in gymwear and penned on top of the image: ‘Exercising less. Literally just doing 10k steps a day.
‘Some Pilates/yoga/LISS whatever feels good for my body right now. I’m injured & no access to a gym- HIIT is a no go for a number of reasons: my knee injury & minimising stress on the body. & yes I am eating more!!!’ (sic)
HIIT exercise is a form of high-intensity interval training and focuses on short bursts of anaerobic exercise.
Earlier this year, she also shared a tearful video as she discussed coping with grief.
Health: Practicing what she preaches, she confirmed she reduced her workouts and is now eating more as she advised her fans to prioritise health over eating less and exercising more
The former Love Island star declared that she ‘holds the power to heal,’ and ‘will get through this’, as she shared words of encouragement with her followers who are also struggling with loss.
She looked past her camera lens before closing her eyes in the poignant clip, but didn’t specify what experience had caused her heartache.
In a separate Instagram Story, she advised a fan who asked: ‘Going through a tough time at the min with grieving. Any strategies?’
‘I am no professional’ she responded. ‘But from my experience what I have learnt is whatever emotion is coming up… Let it come through, welcome it, hold it.
Sharing: Earlier this year, she also shared a tearful video as she discussed coping with grief and detailed her experience in a lengthy Instagram post
‘Try and identify what emotion it is… is it pain? Grief? Anger? Sadness? Being able to identify your emotions makes them easier to manage.
‘Let it out in whichever way feels best, cry, scream, wave your arms around, fall to your knees.’
She added: ‘Just let it pass otherwise suppressing it will keep it as stagnant energy and it will just come up at another time in your life. Hold space to FEEL.
‘Emotions aren’t good or bad, they’re just waves of energy flowing through your body. Make friends with them as best as you can.’ (sic)