The female menstrual cycle is more sensitive than you think, and several things and imbalances can disrupt your period. To help ladies out, we listed five basic things that could easily disturb your monthly menstrual cycle.
- Stress eating
Do you often feel a pang of uncontrollable hunger during your PMS? During PMS many women struggle with not being able to control their hunger.
Medically speaking, this is usually caused by the body’s fluctuating hormones causing the brain to not get the signal that your body is already well-fed.
Isn’t that funny? But eating a lot during PMS is not always a sign of trouble.
Now, if you tend to engage in stress eating… That’s a different story. The thing about stress eating is that you are STRESSED.
If the stress reaches a concerning level and you continue to eat a lot of foods that don’t make your body happy, you could have a light period or no period at all.
This is because stress causes your body to produce excess cortisol, which when in production causes female sex hormones to drop significantly.
Excessive stress isn’t good for your ovulation. It disrupts the function of the organs and hormones responsible for regulating this cycle.
Once this happens, you may notice variations in the volume and frequency of your menstruation.
According to an article on the Associates in Women’s Healthcare website, if you miss menstrual cycle for three consecutive months, then there is a problem.
If pregnancy or other medical tests are negative, then schedule an appointment with your ob-gyn to address your stress level.
Extreme stress accompanied by unhealthy eating habits could cause missed periods for a long time!
- Not eating
On the other hand, not eating enough could also cause your period to become missed.
The thing is, when you suddenly stop eating and your body weight drops rapidly, your body gets shocked and suddenly comes to a halt when it comes to the production of hormones.
You should know that a period is preceded by ovulation and ovulation needs to be triggered by female sex hormones to happen.
When you’re on a strict diet that suddenly causes your body to not receive enough nutrients, your sex hormone production becomes disrupted and this will naturally result in your period being totally missed.
If this kind of eating habit continues for a long time, for just as long your period can be missed. There are cases where women actually stopped getting periods for many months, even up to a year.
This may sound so convenient at first glance but this is not healthy at all, especially for your fertility!
- Birth control
Birth control is one of the main reasons many women skip their periods. The thing with birth control, whether pills or any other form, is that they manipulate the production of female sex hormones.
The thing about menstruation is that your hormones need to trigger ovulation to happen. And for that, at certain times of the month, your hormones change behaviours and trigger ovulation to happen, and then you shed the lining of your uterus with blood.
Now when you take birth control, these hormones get suppressed to such a low degree that your body doesn’t receive the signal to ovulate.
How does the birth control pills disrupt menstruation? Well, the pills have estrogen and progesterone to help prevent natural secretion of hormones responsible for ovulation.
Without ovulation, no egg drops from the fallopian tube. As such, per an article on the Healthline website, there’s no egg available for fertilization.
Still, some pills thicken, or thin the uterus lining, so you can’t begin menstruation.
And so, you could miss a period totally. In some cases, women only have very light bleeding for the same reason.
Not having your period regularly can actually make your next period even more painful because now the uterus lining has become too thick.
- Abusive relationship
If you are in an abusive relationship, it goes without saying that you will be under a lot of stress. This alone can typically cause your cortisol levels to spike and this can cause you to miss periods.
When you are in a relationship that is toxic, your mental state is not going to be balanced. You are constantly in fear of something bad happening. With that, it is only natural that your body releases more cortisol.
This is because cortisol—the stress hormone—actually tries to help you be more alert so you can more easily resolve what’s causing you to stress in the first place.
But on the flip side, when cortisol levels are high, sex hormones are low. This applies to both sexes. And as such, the trauma and stress from being in a bad relationship will meddle with your menstruation and overall health.
You must find a way to get away for the sake of your safety.
- Pregnancy
Obviously, this one is pretty easy to understand. A pregnancy will definitely put your period on a hiatus. Everybody knows that, right?
Well, sometimes some people don’t know that. Many people think that when you get pregnant you will always know within a few days or weeks. The reason for that is mainly sickness and other kinds of physical discomfort.
But some women actually don’t experience these symptoms. In fact, every woman’s symptoms will be different depending on the woman’s overall health condition, too.
Ovulation occurs due to the release of progesterone which prepares you for pregnancy. If it doesn’t take place, the lining is shed, through menstruation.
In fertilization occurs, the blastocyst travels to the uterus and attaches to the lining. Per the Cleveland Clinic publication, this attachment thus prevents any future shedding of uterine wall, blocking menstruation.
But one thing is certain for everybody: your period stops when you are pregnant.
Your uterus is already with a foetus. And so, if you have skipped a period and you are sexually active, it shouldn’t hurt to quickly grab a pregnancy test to really check if you’re pregnant.
To be even more certain, visit your gyno for a higher chance of accuracy on your result.
In the final analysis, five things were discussed that can disrupt your periods. The facts and information we provided can help you learn more about periods and a list of things that can affect your regular flow.
Why Is My Period Late? Common Causes And Reasons
Menstruation, or period, is a natural process that occurs in the female body every month. It is a physical reminder of a woman’s reproductive health and is an essential aspect of her overall well-being. However, there are instances when a woman’s period may not arrive on the expected date, causing concern and worry. This delay, also known as a late period, can be due to various reasons. In this paper, we will explore the common causes and reasons for a late period.
1. Pregnancy
One of the most obvious and common reasons for a late period is pregnancy. When a woman becomes pregnant, her body undergoes significant changes, including hormonal fluctuations, which can cause a delay in her menstrual cycle. The fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus, leading to a missed or delayed period. Furthermore, many women experience implantation bleeding, which can be mistaken for a light period, further delaying the diagnosis of pregnancy.
2. Hormonal Imbalances
The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone. Any imbalance in these hormones can affect the menstrual cycle, resulting in a late period. Factors such as stress, excessive exercise, weight gain or loss, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid disorders can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones, causing a delay in menstruation.
3. Medications
Certain medications, such as birth control pills, can alter the hormonal balance in the body, leading to a delay in periods. Additionally, certain medications, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics, can also affect hormone levels and result in a late period. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new medication to understand its potential effects on the menstrual cycle.
4. Stress
Stress is a common factor that can cause a delay in periods. When a woman is stressed, the body produces a hormone called cortisol, which can interfere with the production of reproductive hormones, leading to a late period. Furthermore, chronic stress can also affect the functioning of the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates the menstrual cycle.
5. Excessive Exercise
While regular exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle, excessive exercise can have adverse effects on the menstrual cycle. Women who engage in intense or prolonged physical activity may experience a delay in their periods due to the release of high levels of cortisol, which can suppress the production of reproductive hormones.
6. Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause, and it can cause changes in the menstrual cycle. During this time, a woman’s ovaries produce less estrogen, leading to irregular periods and sometimes, a skipped period. Women in their late 40s to early 50s may experience perimenopause, but it can also occur in younger women due to certain medical conditions or surgeries.
7. Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s metabolism and hormone levels. An overactive or underactive thyroid can disrupt the menstrual cycle, causing a late period. Women with thyroid disorders often experience irregular periods, as well as other symptoms such as weight changes, fatigue, and mood swings.
8. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. It can cause irregular periods, as well as other symptoms such as weight gain, excessive hair growth, and acne. Women with PCOS may also have difficulty ovulating, leading to a delay in periods or even skipped periods.
9. Birth Control Methods
Certain birth control methods, such as the hormonal IUD or the birth control shot, can cause a delay in periods. These methods work by preventing ovulation, which can result in lighter or missed periods. It is essential to discuss the potential effects of birth control methods on the menstrual cycle with a healthcare provider before choosing a contraceptive method.
10. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor nutrition, can also affect the menstrual cycle. These habits can disrupt hormone levels and interfere with the proper functioning of the reproductive system, leading to a late period.
In conclusion, a late period can be caused by various factors, including pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, medications, stress, excessive exercise, perimenopause, thyroid disorders, PCOS, birth control methods, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. It is essential to pay attention to any changes in the menstrual cycle and consult a healthcare provider if a period is significantly delayed or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. Early detection and treatment of underlying causes can help regulate the menstrual cycle and maintain a woman’s reproductive health.
