Email me: mallorylikecalorie@gmail.com

Find me on Instagram: @mallorylikecalorie

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/raisedbynarcissists/

Patrick Teahan Therapy: https://www.patrickteahantherapy.com/

Sins of Our Mother: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GVxxIsT4Y4

REACT RESEARCH STUDY INFO (Exercise focused)

There are certain health conditions that deserve special attention as a female athlete. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked. For example, intense physical activity can often change our hormone levels. Hormones are the chemical communicators within our bodies.

Female hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, regulate our periods and build bone strength. For some women in sports, the pressure to look a certain way or perform at an optimal level will lead to an intense focus on their weight, leading to disordered eating habits like restrictive eating. This pattern of restrictive eating and intense physical exercise really exacerbates changes in our hormones, which you may notice if you miss your period.

Not only is estrogen important for our physical health, but estrogen is helpful for our brain health. Estrogen actually helps us make decisions, feel more motivated, and feel rewarding experiences. Low estrogen levels are actually associated with more disordered eating thoughts.

Some good news - estrogen can in fact be replaced. And the team at Harvard Medical School has shown that estrogen replacement leads to both improved body image and bone health. The research group at Harvard is currently studying the effects of missed periods on mental and physical health. If you have recently missed periods, you may be eligible for their study.

Historically, many athlete studies have focused on men’s health. Research focusing on female athletes is crucial for developing training and treatment plans for women’s mental and physical health. If you guys are interested in learning more about this research you can email the Harvard group at ANEreact@mgh.harvard.edu.

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REACT RESEARCH STUDY INFO (Eating Disorder Focused)

Eating disorders can impact one's whole body. For example, intense physical activity and restrictive eating can often change our hormone levels. Hormones are the chemical communicators within our bodies.Female hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, regulate our periods and build bone strength. Recurrent restrictive eating and intense physical exercise really exacerbates changes in our hormones, which you may notice if you miss your period.

Not only is estrogen important for our physical health, but estrogen is helpful for our brain health. Estrogen actually helps us make decisions, feel more motivated, and feel rewarding experiences. Low estrogen levels are actually associated with more disordered eating thoughts.

Some good news - estrogen can in fact be replaced. And the team at Harvard Medical School has shown that estrogen replacement leads to both improved body image and bone health. The research group at Harvard is currently studying the effects of missed periods on mental and physical health. If you have recently missed periods, you may be eligible for their study.

If you guys are interested in learning more about this research you can email the Harvard group at ANEreact@mgh.harvard.edu.