A regular menstrual cycle is a sign of a healthy reproductive system. However, sometimes periods can disappear unexpectedly. In this article, we explore the five most common reasons for a missing period and what you can do about it.
- Excessive testosterone
Both men and women produce testosterone. But women produce significantly lower levels than those secreted by men.
Testosterone plays an important role in regulating reproductive activities in women. It helps in growing up, strengthening the bone structure, and repairing reproductive tissues.
But one key testosterone benefit in women is initialing sex drive. Thus without this hormone, your libido would be nil, meaning you wouldn’t respond to sexual stimuli.
On the other hand, high levels of testosterone in women can cause polycystic ovary syndrome. A lot of androgen causes sacs to develop on the ovaries, which then disturbs the release of eggs promptly. This situation brings irregular periods.
One month you could experience a light discharge, the next very heavy and long periods while at sometimes, poor distribution of start and end of your menstruation.
PCOS could be the reason for a lengthy delay in your periods.
- Stress
Anxiety and panic attacks are common in our everyday lives. But when the stress level is high and constant, your body finds a way to handle it.
The body mechanism decides whether you should engage the pressure or avoid it, a situation known as fight or flight. It produces two hormones to help stabilize anxiety.
Your body releases cortisol and adrenalin. Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure, and increases your stamina.
Similarly, cortisol also helps to increase glucose in your blood and repair damaged tissues. These hormones help you calm your stress.
But the production of these hormones affects your ovulation. Cortisol reduces your pituitary functions. This finding is published in a 2015 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
During the ovulation process, your body needs more progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropic hormones. But under stress, your body acts to preserve itself and thus limits these secretions.
And so does your periods.
According to Women’s Healthcare Associates, stress has the ability to trigger your body’s fight or flight response due to our inherent wiring. When you find yourself in this mode, it exerts an influence on your hormone levels. Consequently, these hormonal changes have a direct impact on your ovulation cycle and, naturally, your menstrual patterns. This can lead to the possibility of experiencing delayed periods or, in some cases, a complete cessation of menstruation for several consecutive months.
- Pregnancy
Well, the essence of ovulation is conception. And your period happens each month when this process fails to occur.
So how do you get pregnant? Well, the menstrual cycle prepares you for conception. If it doesn’t occur, your uterus shed its lining, which is essentially the period you undergo.
Ovulation occurs in four phases. Menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase.
Menstruation comprises the blood and mucus from the uterus lining. It takes place for three to seven days each month.
The follicular stage occurs during the next two weeks after the start of your ovulation. Here, one follicle develops into an egg. The uterus wall also thickens in preparation.
Ovulation then occurs when the mature egg drops down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. This happens once a month.
Once the ovulation phase is complete, the ovary release progesterone so that the uterus allows the fertilized egg to attach to the uterus wall.
Once the pregnancy occurs, progesterone levels remain high, supporting the fetus and preventing periods from occurring.
- Medications
Medicines and surgical processes can also make your periods MIA. You may be taking drugs to treat depression and blood pressure and even control birth.
Antidepressants feature serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This compound increases prolactin to saturated levels, thus inhibiting luteinizing hormones necessary for ovulation.
Similarly, blood pressure or antihypertensive medicines also increase the levels of prolactin.
Birth control pills mimic the hormonal process of ovulation. Pills stop the release of eggs from the ovary.
They thicken cervical mucus, thus making it hard for the sperm to enter the uterus. Also, contraceptives thin the uterus preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to it.
So how important is prolactin in ovulation? When the prolactin level is normal in your body, it allows the secretion of other hormones.
But when the levels exceed a certain concentration, prolactin interferes with the production of estrogen and progesterone.
And once progesterone is absent, the ovulation process is hampered. As a result, you fail to notice any menstruation.
Also, the London Gynaecology blog informs us that, the use of steroid medications like prednisolone can disrupt menstrual cycles, causing irregularities, prolonged durations, and occasionally heavier flow. These effects are commonly observed after extended periods of steroid usage. Additionally, alternative forms of contraceptives apart from oral pills can also exert an impact on the regularity of the menstrual cycle.
- Strenuous exercise
Moderate exercises are good for reproductive health. They prime your body and make ovulation a breeze, while also increasing estrogen production.
But when you regularly engage in strenuous physical activities, estrogen levels dwindle, as sex hormone binding globin (SHBG) glues to free estrogen in a serum.
This situation has been clinically studied and published in the Public Health Science Division of the April 15 release of Cancer Research.
It states that estrogen levels decline by 19% in premenopausal women who engage in five-hour weekly aerobic exercise.
It further states that cardio exercises disintegrate estrogen structure in estrogen-sensitive tissues of the breast, and flush away any surplus. This happens through sweating.
This is important and beneficial when dealing with tissues that are susceptible to breast cancer. But it harms ovulation and menstruation.
Straining accelerates the loss of body fat and destroys a lot of cells. When this occurs, your body prioritizes the repair of essential cells over initiating ovulation.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, excessive exercise can result in skipped menstrual periods or even a complete cessation of periods. Irregular or absent periods are frequently observed in athletes and women who engage in rigorous training on a consistent basis. However, if you’ve been inactive for an extended period and then suddenly embark on an intense fitness regimen, your menstrual cycle might also become irregular or come to a halt.
In conclusion, irregular periods are more common than you think, but periods suddenly being MIA from your life can be alarming. The mentioned reasons can help you understand your menstrual cycle and seek solutions for your issue.
7 Period Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore
Introduction
Periods, also known as menstrual cycles, are a natural part of a woman’s reproductive system. It is a monthly occurrence where the body prepares for a potential pregnancy by shedding the lining of the uterus. While periods are a normal and healthy process, it is essential to pay attention to any changes or irregularities that may occur. In this paper, we will discuss seven period problems that you should not ignore.
1. Heavy Bleeding
It is normal to experience heavy bleeding during the first few days of your period. However, if you are soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several consecutive hours, it may be a sign of a more serious issue. Heavy bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, can be caused by hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, or polyps. If left untreated, it can lead to anemia and may affect your overall health. It is essential to consult your doctor if you experience heavy bleeding during your period.
2. Irregular Periods
Irregular periods refer to any changes in your menstrual cycle, such as a delay in the start of your period, or skipping periods altogether. While it is common to experience irregular periods during puberty and menopause, it can also be a sign of underlying health issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid problems, or hormonal imbalances. If you notice a significant change in your period cycle, it is crucial to consult your doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions.
3. Severe Cramps
Mild cramping during periods is normal, but if you experience severe and debilitating cramps, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Severe cramps can be a symptom of endometriosis, a condition where the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of it. It can also be a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or uterine fibroids. If your cramps are interfering with your daily activities, it is essential to seek medical attention.
4. Absent Periods
Missing a period can be a sign of pregnancy, but if you are not pregnant, it could be a cause for concern. Amenorrhea, the absence of periods, can be caused by factors such as extreme weight loss, excessive exercise, or hormonal imbalances. It can also be a side effect of certain medications or a symptom of PCOS. If you have missed more than three periods in a row, it is crucial to consult your doctor to determine the underlying cause.
5. Unusual Bleeding
Any bleeding that occurs outside of your regular period cycle should not be ignored. It could be a sign of an underlying health issue such as cervical or uterine cancer, hormonal imbalances, or infections. If you experience spotting or bleeding in between periods, it is important to seek medical advice.
6. Painful Intercourse
Experiencing pain during intercourse is not normal and should not be ignored. It could be a sign of an underlying condition such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or vaginal infections. It is essential to consult your doctor to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
7. Changes in Menstrual Flow
It is important to pay attention to any changes in your menstrual flow. If you notice a sudden increase or decrease in the amount of blood or the duration of your period, it could be a sign of an underlying issue. Changes in menstrual flow can be caused by hormonal imbalances, uterine fibroids, or polyps. It is crucial to seek medical attention if you experience any significant changes in your period flow.
Conclusion
Period problems are common among women, but it is essential to pay attention to any changes or irregularities that may occur. Ignoring these problems can lead to more serious health issues, and early detection is key to successful treatment. Remember to consult your doctor if you experience any of the period problems mentioned above. It is also important to maintain good menstrual hygiene and visit your gynecologist regularly for check-ups. By staying informed and taking care of your reproductive health, you can ensure a smoother menstrual cycle and overall well-being.
