15 Jul How Can Stress or Lifestyle Changes Affect the Timing of Your Period?
Everything is connected in our bodies. Your mental health impacts your physical health, and vice versa. Stress and lifestyle changes can affect your appetite, mood, and even the timing of your period. Keep reading to learn more about it.
Also, are you stressed that you could be pregnant? Schedule a no-cost appointment at Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center to find out if you’re pregnant.
The Impact of Stress and Lifestyle Changes on Your Period
A regular period is a sign that your reproductive health is functioning well, but sometimes different factors can influence the frequency of your periods.
Stress – How it Delays Your Period
Stress impacts your hypothalamus, the part of your brain responsible for your monthly cycle.
When your body is stressed, you release a stress hormone called cortisol. How your body handles stress can cause your periods to be lighter, delayed, or non-existent. If you have a significant amount of stress due to wondering whether or not you’re pregnant, this could delay your period.
Other Lifestyle Factors
Weight Loss or Gain
Whether you are significantly underweight, overweight, or you just lost or gained some weight, all of these factors play a role in period delays. Weight changes are contextual. One woman might need to lose weight to restart her period, while another may need to gain.
Exercise
Vigorous exercise, changing exercise levels, or over-exercising can all trigger period delays.
Poor Diet
Eating a poor diet can also delay your period because your body isn’t nourished enough. Extreme dieting and undereating can lead to period delays.
Medical Issues
If you’re dealing with hormonal issues stemming from issues with the brain or pituitary gland, and structural issues with the reproductive system, they can both cause period delays.
Having irregular periods is something to talk about with your health team to ensure everything is working properly in your body, or if treatment could help.
Is Pregnancy Causing Your Missed Period?
Find out by scheduling a no-cost and confidential appointment at Lighthouse Pregnancy Center. We offer pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and more.
If you have missed your period or wonder whether your irregular period is a missed period, schedule an appointment. We’re here to help.