Absence of menstrual period due to stress

There are women who have menstrual periods with the precision of a Swiss watch. Others, however, are more irregular. Now, if there is something that causes shock and concern, it is seeing how the weeks go by and the period does not appear. There are many (and obvious) factors that explain the absence of menstruation, but there is one that is especially common: stress.

We know that certain levels of stress and anxiety can be optimal. They act as natural drivers and motivators to mobilize us, to help us achieve goals or face certain situations. However, when this accumulation of adrenaline and cortisol is too high and is maintained over time, the body suffers.

Muscle pain, digestive disorders, tachycardia, diarrhea, frequent urination and, in the case of women, the always annoying delays in the period frequently appear. Nevertheless, Amenorrhea does not always appear only due to stress, there are more variables that need to be ruled out.

The simple fact of seeing that menstruation does not arrive further intensifies one’s own stress.

Absence of menstrual period due to stress: characteristics, causes and treatment

The absence of the menstrual period or amenorrhea often has its origin in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.. Research from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute highlights this fact. What is known as hypothalamic amenorrhea has its origins in psychological stress, excessive exercise or eating disorders (ED).

Stress is undoubtedly the most recurrent and easiest circumstance to manage. It is because, on average, This alteration in the menstrual cycle never goes beyond one or two months at most. It regulates itself and does not cause major problems. However, there are more striking situations and that is related to depressive disorders.

Research from the Medical Center, Orlando, for example, highlights one fact. There is a significant association between depression and early perimenopause. That is, sometimes women aged 40 or younger can face early menopause as a result of this mood disorder. Having a proper diagnosis is key in all cases.

How does the absence of a menstrual period due to stress manifest itself?

A woman’s menstrual cycle is usually a very revealing barometer for knowing her level of stress, whether acute or chronic. In general, it is common for the following symptoms to appear:

Lack of energy and concentration problems. Diarrhea or constipation.Digestive disorders.Headache. Greater hair loss than usual.Jaw, neck or back pain.Tachycardias. Cognitive alterations such as memory problems.The symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) do not appear, such as pain in the breasts or cramps in the abdomen. Delay in the appearance of menstruation, which further intensifies one’s own worry and stress.

What are the causes of these delays in the menstrual cycle?

As we well know, hormones play a determining role in the menstrual cycle. The impact of stress, if it continues for several weeks and is intense, can completely alter that internal harmony between estrogen and progesterone. The main person responsible for this delay in menstruation is cortisol, known as the stress hormone.

Cortisol alters the functioning of the hypothalamus, which controls the pituitary glandkey to the regulation and correct release of hormones in our body.

Due to this hypothalamic dysfunction, the ovaries stop producing estrogens. and this completely alters processes such as ovulation and the menstrual cycle itself.

How many menstrual cycles can stress delay?

In general, Stress can cause menstruation to be delayed a month or two. However, let us keep in mind that any irregularity in the period should be consulted with a gynecologist. Behind amenorrhea, in addition to pregnancy, stress or eating problems, there may also be endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Each woman must find those mechanisms that allow her to better manage stress on a daily basis.

How to manage stress to avoid health changes?

The absence of a menstrual period can appear due to factors that we can control and others that are completely beyond us. Sometimes, Certain shocking or traumatic events can cause, due to this high emotional load, the period to be delayed for several weeks.. It is a normal occurrence and our body, in this context, will regulate itself little by little.

On the other hand, it is also common for circumstances such as work pressure or even studies to act by deregulating our hormones and raising stress and anxiety levels. What can we do in these cases? There are many stress management techniques, but the ideal is to apply those that best suit our needs.

These would be an example:

Deep breathing, meditation, yoga…Emotional regulation techniques.Progressive muscle relaxation. Visualization techniques.Problem solving techniques.Practice any sport.Contact with the nature.Time to rest and connect with friends, family, etc. Dedicate time to our hobbies. Improved time management.Take care of our sleep hygiene.

To conclude, it is evident that we will not be able to completely remove stress from our lives. Learning to manage it on a daily basis so that it does not become chronic will mediate our physical and mental health. Likewise, if there is any irregularity or problem with menstruation, do not hesitate to consult with specialists.

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