How stress can affect your menstrual cycle

Written By: Simone Sonnier, UT Physicians | Updated: August 2, 2022

Those who menstruate have all been there — your period is a day or two late and you’re wondering why. Of course, pregnancy is the first reason that comes to mind but there could be many reasons for an irregular cycle.

Randa J. Jalloul, MD

“Stress, whether emotional, nutritional, or physical, can cause an increase in endorphins and cortisol secretion which interrupt hormone production,” explained Randa J. Jalloul, MD, OB-GYN specialist with UT Physicians. “This can lead to an abnormal menstrual cycle. It’s the body’s way of expressing unreadiness for ovulation and pregnancy.”

If the stress is short-lived, you may miss a period or be a few days late. However, if the stress is chronic, more erratic or absent menstruation can occur. Extreme weight changes and physical activity are also common culprits of a delayed cycle.

“Some studies have observed that over 70% of women experience recovery with the resumption of menses if their absent periods were associated with psychological stress or weight loss. Women who recover typically have a higher body mass index and lower cortisol levels than those who don’t,” shared Jalloul, associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.

If you experience irregular or absent periods for longer than three to six months, Jalloul recommends seeking out medical attention — especially if an at-home pregnancy test result is negative.

“If a patient does not believe they are pregnant and still has continuous issues with their cycle, they should come in for an evaluation,” she said. “We will need to investigate the cause of their menstrual abnormality and rule out many other causes of irregular periods such as hormonal disturbances like thyroid or pituitary problems, polycystic ovaries, or chronic anovulation syndrome. Stress is a diagnosis of exclusion.”

Treatment options for irregular menstrual cycles may include simple lifestyle changes — adequate nutrition, exercise, good sleep habits, and reversing the cause of the stress if known. If an abnormal or absent period is the result of an eating disorder, it’s imperative to establish a healthy weight by working closely with mental health experts to ensure long-term success. Often, hormone replacement therapy and contraceptives are prescribed to help re-establish a proper hormone level for good body function.

Jalloul’s advice is to listen and take care of your body: recognize the signs of stress, be active, take time to unwind and connect with loved ones, treat yourself to healthy foods, and get plenty of rest. To learn more about a healthy menstrual cycle, visit our medical conditions glossary. If you are experiencing abnormal periods and would like to schedule an appointment with one of our women’s health experts, call 832-325-7131 or schedule online.

Why is my period late? 8 possible reasons

Having a late period can be very distressing, especially if a woman is used to having regular periods or is concerned about an unexpected pregnancy.

However, there are many other reasons why a woman might have a late period, ranging from birth control to stress.

In this article, we look at eight possible reasons for a late period.

Share on PinterestThe menstrual cycle may be affected by periods of stress.

Prolonged periods of stress can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, making it longer or shorter, or even causing a missed period.

Some women also report more painful period cramps when experiencing stress.

Avoiding the situations that cause the stress, taking regular exercise, and getting enough sleep can help a person eliminate stress and maintain a regular menstrual cycle.

If a woman is experiencing chronic stress, she might find it beneficial to speak to a doctor or counselor, who can help her identify effective coping mechanisms.

The average onset of menopause is around the age of 52 when a woman has not had a period for at least 12 months.

Many women experience symptoms as early as 10 to 15 years before menopause. This is known as perimenopause and indicates that estrogen levels are beginning to fluctuate.

Irregular estrogen levels can alter a woman’s menstrual cycle, making it common for women in perimenopause to experience irregular or missed periods. Once a woman has gone a full year without a period, she is said to have gone through menopause.

Significant weight loss or intense exercise can cause a woman to miss her period. Being underweight or having a low body-fat ratio can alter reproductive hormone levels, lowering them to levels where ovulation and menstruation do not occur.

A woman who has missed one or several periods after losing a significant amount of weight should consult a doctor or dietician about getting the appropriate amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that her body needs.

Just as weight loss can cause a woman to miss her period, being overweight can also affect a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Obesity and missed periods can sometimes signal that a woman has a medical condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so it is important for a woman to be correctly diagnosed by a doctor.

The doctor may recommend blood tests or an ultrasound to look at the ovaries to make sure that no underlying medical conditions are causing missed periods.

Share on PinterestSome birth control pills can cause a missed period.

Some types of birth control, particularly hormonal methods, can cause a woman to miss a period.

Typically, hormonal birth control provides a form of estrogen combined with progesterone for a set amount of time, followed by several hormone-free days. The withdrawal of these hormones triggers a period.

Sometimes, these hormones keep the lining of the uterus so thin that there is not enough of the lining to cause a period. This applies to all forms of hormonal birth control, including pills, patches, shots, implants, and rings.

In most cases, this is not harmful, but women should speak to a doctor with any concerns about their birth control method.

Some hormones, such as prolactin or thyroid hormones, can cause a woman to miss her period.

If a hormonal imbalance is responsible for a missed or late period, it can easily be detected with a blood test.

The cause of these hormonal imbalances needs to be investigated by a doctor. Some hormonal imbalances are a common problem that runs in families, or they might be caused by something much more serious, such as a brain tumor.

In many cases, taking medication can help periods return to their normal cycle.

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders among women of childbearing age.

Though the symptoms vary between individual women, those who have PCOS tend to have abnormal hormone levels, which can cause small cysts to develop on the ovaries, acne, excess facial and body hair, male-pattern baldness, and obesity.

Irregular or even absent periods are also a common feature of this condition.

Women who suspect that they have PCOS should visit their doctor for an evaluation. If not properly treated, an absence of periods during childbearing years may cause endometrial cancer.

Women should not rule out pregnancy as a possible reason that their period is late, even if they are using contraception. Women can still get pregnant even if they use birth control correctly.

A sexually active woman with a late period should use a home pregnancy test. It is important to note that there are no forms of birth control that are 100 percent effective. Anyone who is pregnant should seek prenatal healthcare right away.

A woman who has a negative result on the home pregnancy test but whose period still does not start should see a doctor.

If a woman is concerned about missed periods, it can be helpful to keep a written record of her periods, including the start and end dates, and a list of any other associated symptoms.

If a doctor has a written record to refer to, they can make a diagnosis more quickly. Using a simple calendar can work, but there are also apps available for smartphones.

Share on PinterestA written record of periods may help a doctor to make a diagnosis.

Having regular check-ups with a gynecologist or women’s health specialist can help address many questions about menstrual cycles. Sometimes, a late period is an isolated occurrence and is not a cause for concern.

However, certain symptoms may require medical attention. They include:

• missing several periods in a row
• a positive pregnancy test
• having symptoms of PCOS, as described above
• having gained or lost a lot of weight
• feeling overly stressed

Can there be a failure and delay in menstruation due to stress and what to do about it?

Date last updated: 06/24/2022

Contents:

Types of stress and its causes

Effects of stress on the female body 900 03

How long can a missed period be due to stress

When worth going to the doctor

How to deal with stress

The menstrual cycle is a very important criterion for assessing the state of a woman’s body. With regular and normal bleeding, the absence of alarming symptoms, you can visit the gynecologist 1-2 times a year for prevention.

And any cycle failure and delay is a reason for an unscheduled visit, since it is important to find out the cause of the violations. One of them can be nervous tension and excessive worries – stress and menstruation are interconnected, and in the article we will tell you exactly how.

Delayed periods due to stress is quite common. Thus, the body protects itself from the influence of negative factors. The following causes can cause stress:

• problems in the family and at work;

• grief and loss – divorce, death of a close relative;

• exhausting physical activity;

• emotional overstrain, protracted conflicts;

• past injuries, operations;

• a radical change in lifestyle;

• moving to a region with a different climate.

Stress, even if it concerns only the emotional sphere, affects the physical health of a woman, and the reproductive system is no exception. Moreover, all types of stress can influence it:

• Short-term: this is a protective reaction to a negative environmental factor. Such stress is natural, passing, and, as a rule, does not lead to serious changes in the functioning of the body, all reactions are temporary.

• Long-term: prolonged exposure to a stressor leads to pathological conditions.

Delayed periods due to stress develops mainly due to hormonal changes. This happens due to the influence of stress hormones – cortisol and prolactin: an emotional outburst causes changes in the adrenal glands and the pituitary gland – the gland that produces prolactin.

Normally, prolactin has high values ​​only during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If a woman is not pregnant, a large amount of prolactin leads to a slowdown in the thyroid gland and ovaries, negatively affects the mammary glands, and also causes a violation of the relationship with the pituitary gland. This is reflected in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and sex hormones, which leads to an increase in the duration of the cycle, the interval between menstruation becomes longer. Sometimes periods can even stop altogether.

There is another mechanism for the development of delay due to stress. The latter leads to an increase in the level of the stress hormone cortisol, which also contributes to the disappearance of menstruation. And other consequences include a deterioration in the condition of the skin, the formation of fatty deposits, male pattern hair. A constant increase in cortisol can cause obesity and lead to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome.

If the level of prolactin is elevated, the herbal drug Cyclodinon® based on sacred vitex can help normalize the hormonal background. The drug is available in the form of oral drops and tablets. The drug was developed in Germany according to the unique concept of phytoneering.

Normally, the duration of the menstrual cycle is very individual. Therefore, it is important for a woman to focus on her own characteristics in order to determine how long the delay in menstruation lasts under stress . It is believed that the absence of menstruation for 3-5 days after the date of the expected bleeding is a cause for concern.

This does not apply to teenage girls with irregular menstrual cycles, or women who have entered the perimenopausal period (usually occurs between 40 and 45 years of age).

Any delay, especially if it occurs often, is not normal. It is important to consult a gynecologist, and if the reason for the increase in the interval between periods is really stress, he will refer you to specialists of a different profile, for example, a psychotherapist.

The following symptoms are very alarming:

• no periods for more than 90 days;

• bleeding longer, more profuse than usual;

• menses very painful;

• 90,002 periods less than 21 days apart or more than 35 days apart, three cycles in a row;

• observed intermenstrual bleeding.

With such symptoms, it is worth contacting a gynecologist as soon as possible.

Stress is an inevitable part of life, so it is not always possible to completely protect yourself from worries and upheavals. It is important to learn how to resist overload, quickly and successfully adapt to change, and be able to restore emotional balance.

How to restore cycle if there was a delay in menstruation due to stress? Let’s consider several ways.

Recreation

Everyone can have their own way to relax: for some it’s a warm bath with their favorite aroma oils, for others it’s an active vacation like a bike ride or a short trip. This will help you forget about worries and get positive emotions. It is important to allocate time and energy to rest even in a busy schedule: without giving yourself positive emotions, you risk becoming even less productive.

Sleep

Without good quality sleep, it makes no sense to establish a menstrual cycle: it has been proven that a good night’s rest (7-9 hours) helps to feel better, prevents overeating and weight gain, promotes good skin condition and complexion. And excellent health and pleasant appearance are the key to a positive mood.

Daily routine

The cyclic nature of the processes in our body obliges us to pay attention to the daily routine: it is better to get up and go to bed at about the same time. Failure of menstruation due to stress can develop against the background of exhausting loads, irregular working hours, combined with nervous tension, so it is important to regain an acceptable schedule.

Nutrition

The quality of nutrition greatly affects the functioning of the reproductive system. The daily menu should include fresh vegetables and fruits, a sufficient amount of protein, complex carbohydrates. It is better not to allow fasting and strict restrictions, unless a medical condition requires it and is not recommended by a doctor: rigid diets can do more harm than good. In cases where excess weight occurs, it is better to consult a nutritionist and develop your diet taking into account the needs for nutrients.

Sports

Physical activity helps produce happiness hormones. You can choose the type of activity that suits you. Yoga, water aerobics, swimming, running, cycling, and hiking have proven themselves well.

Meditative practices and breathing exercises

You can master these methods yourself: try to set aside time for daily practice, usually a few minutes of solitude is enough.

After a stressful experience, lifestyle changes may not be enough to normalize the menstrual cycle. In case of prolonged absence of menstruation, it is necessary to consult a specialist. Sometimes, even in the absence of gross hormonal disorders, stimulation from the outside is required. In cases where there are no serious diseases of the endocrine system or reproductive organs, it may be appropriate to use herbal preparations.

One such drug is Cyclodinone®. This non-hormonal remedy helps to balance the hormonal background, normalize the menstrual cycle ^{3. 4} , helps to reduce the symptoms of PMS ⁷ .

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.

Stress disorder of the menstrual cycle – Reprolife Kiev

Currently, the issue of menstrual disorders due to stress has become widespread. In such a difficult time for everyone, the female reproductive system is especially sensitive to stress and sharp exhaustion. Our body is a very well-established and interconnected structure, the functioning of which depends on many factors. However, the first priority is always life and the provision of basic needs aimed at maintaining life.

Secondary psychogenic amenorrhea – lack of menstruation due to stress, lack of sleep, emotional overload, insufficient / malnutrition. During the war, the main goal of the organism is to survive. The body begins to accumulate energy and all the necessary resources, so the process of reproduction and reproductive function fade into the background. In addition, during each menstruation, a woman loses about 40-60 ml of blood, and in life-threatening conditions and with insufficient intake of nutrients and vitamins, this is significant, so menstruation may not occur.

The following fact is known in endocrinology: stress complicates the work of the hypothalamus, which ceases to produce releasing hormones. This affects the disruption of pituitary hormones (FSH and LH), which leads to disruption of the menstrual cycle.

Often during stress cycle disorders are manifested by hypomenstrual syndrome. Hypomenstrual syndrome – a menstrual disorder, which is a weakening of menstruation. It manifests itself in the form of not abundant (hypomenorrhea), short (oligomenorrhea), rare (opsomenorrhea) menstruation.
In this state, the body produces a large number of neurotransmitters that simply block the production of the necessary hormones and suppress the activity of the uterus and ovaries. During the action of sharp stress factors, it is possible to disrupt the functioning of the thyroid gland, excessive or insufficient production of hormones TSH, T4, involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle.

Stress always provokes an increase in the level of cortisol in the blood (stress hormone), which can suppress the production of hormones responsible for ovulation and menstruation.

Help is important for the body in stressful times. For example, it is necessary to supplement nutrition with natural elements that will help the hormonal response at any point in the cycle. These are the following elements: selenium, magnesium, evening primrose oil, vitamin D, omega 3 (found in fish oil), B vitamins, probiotics. Diet is the best way to limit the effects of stress hormones circulating in the body. It will help in the adaptation mechanism and energy support.

Despite the myths about the notion that sugar and sweets improve brain function and give strength, this is not a support for the body and the endocrine background. Moreover, it is an addiction. Under stress, there is a significant increase in the level of production insulin and an increase in the load on the pancreas. Therefore, for the proper functioning of the brain and a harmonious endocrine background in sweets, it is better to limit yourself.

Under severe stress, the level of the hormone prolactin (PRL) can rise, which in turn creates a delay in menstruation. Physiological hyperprolactinemia develops in women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Symptomatic hyperprolactinemia is often caused by psychological factors or may be formed due to a violation of the level of thyroid hormones. It should be remembered that sedatives and sleeping pills also increase prolactin levels.

It is not necessary to induce menstruation with medications. If you are not worried about pain, unusual discharge, try to minimize the effect of stress factors and get enough sleep. As soon as the stress factor ceases to act, the body will recover and the menstrual cycle will begin.

If you live an open sexual life and you have a delay, we advise you to take a pregnancy test. If this is not possible, you should try not to be nervous, eat enough, drink 1.