How often have women heard the phrase “Don’t stress, it’s not good for the health” If it were easy to not stress, women would not get stressed but that’s far away from the truth. Stress not only affects our body and mind, but it also affects our menstruation cycle.
WHY STRESS EFFECTS OUR CYCLE?
Stress disrupts our menstrual cycle by throwing off the hormonal balance essential for regular periods. When we are stressed, the body produces more cortisol, the stress hormone. This hormone interferes with signals from the brain to the ovaries. This may delay ovulation or cause irregular cycles. Since the body interprets stress as a potential threat, it shifts focus from reproductive functions to survival mode, making periods late, lighter, or even skipped. Additionally, stress can worsen PMS symptoms, making bloating, mood swings, and cramps more intense.
5 WAYS HOW STRESS AFFECTS OUR PERIODS?
A few days' delay in your menstruation cycle is normal but when you are under a tremendous amount of stress, it triggers your brain to produce high amounts of cortisol which disrupts the production of female reproductive hormones - progesterone and estrogen. This delays the brain’s signal to the ovaries to release a fertilized, egg causing late ovulation. The whole process delays the menstrual cycle and your periods are very late, sometimes very very late.
A normal menstrual cycle typically lasts between 28 and 34 days. However, stress can interfere with the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, leading to unpredictable periods. For instance, I once experienced a delay of 45 days in my cycle because I was under significant stress.
PMS are worse but stress can make it worse, seems stressful right? But it’s true. Increased cortisol levels can amplify bloating, cramping, and mood swings, making the days before your period more uncomfortable.
Don’t stress about this one (no pun intended) but cases of chronic stress can cause anovulatory cycles. An anovulatory cycle happens when you don’t ovulate at all. This can lead to a longer gap between periods and irregular bleeding patterns.
Cramps are the worst. They are painful and uncomfortable already, but studies have shown that stress can make menstrual cramps worse. It’s because cortisol heightens your perception of pain.
Stress is something we all experience regularly. It impacts our bodies, minds, and even our menstrual cycles. Managing stress daily can be challenging, but employing techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity can help reduce cortisol levels and restore hormonal balance.