How Stress Affects Your Period

We all experience it: stress. There's daily stress, like missing the bus, and then there's chronic stress, which can affect your entire body.

We all need stress to function daily (like, you're stressed about an upcoming exam, so you study harder). But chronic, long-term stress isn't good for you. Too much stress can take its toll and cause acne, headaches, weight gain, hair loss, mood swings, digestive problems, and can even affect your menstrual cycle and fertility.

And yes, your body is smart. When you experience too much stress, it will put your period and ovulation on hold, as it's not ideal for conceiving in such a situation. If you don't want to have children, you might think, "I don't care," but at Guud Woman, we believe every woman has the right to a healthy cycle, and a healthy cycle is a fertile cycle.

Now what is the problem?

When your body experiences stress, it produces cortisol, your primary stress hormone. To produce more cortisol, your body essentially steals progesterone, causing your progesterone levels to drop. When this happens, it can disrupt your hormonal balance. It can lead to changes in the frequency and duration of your periods and make your menstrual symptoms worse each month.

What causes stress? Not only can work-related or emotional problems lead to increased stress, but other factors like intense workouts, disrupted sleep, too much caffeine, and strict diets can also put more stress on your body.

Also read: Intermittent fasting – what you need to know! 

How much stress is too much?

Stress becomes a problem if you regularly notice any of the following:

• Your period starts too late
• Your period starts too early
• Your periods stop completely (also known as amenorrhea)
• Your period is heavier (more blood)
• Your period is more painful
• You have bleeding between periods

What should you do now?

You need to find a way to de-stress. Easier said than done, we know, but lowering your cortisol levels is crucial if you want to get your hormones back on track.

You can reduce your stress level by:

• Make sleep a priority . Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per night and try to have a consistent bedtime.
• Practice mindfulness . Life can be stressful in general, but things like yoga and meditation have been proven to help reduce stress.
• Exercise! Aim for at least 75 minutes of intense activity per week. If you're a professional athlete and train daily, you may benefit from seeing a doctor specializing in sports medicine. They can advise you on how to maintain your performance without disrupting your cycle. At the very least, you should prioritize recovery and rest days.
• Reduce caffeine . We're not saying you should give up your morning coffee, but be aware that too much caffeine can make you anxious and jittery. Put coffee aside for a while or give decaf a try.
• Eat a balanced diet . DHA, found in oily fish, for example, contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function, and vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.
• Magnesium is your best friend : Studies show that magnesium supports the normal functioning of the nervous system. It also helps with the production of melatonin (the sleep hormone).
• Have fun! Do something you enjoy every day. Spend time with friends, laugh, listen to music, dance like no one's watching. Letting go every now and then can do wonders for lowering cortisol levels.

When should you ask for help?

The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, but this varies from woman to woman and from cycle to cycle. It's common to have a shorter or longer cycle (22-40 days).

If you've ruled out pregnancy and missed more than three periods in a row, it's time to call your doctor.

If your period is so painful or heavy that it prevents you from doing your daily activities, you should also make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to rule out something more serious.

Depending on your medical and personal history, your doctor may recommend waiting to see if your period returns on its own. In some cases, you may need treatment to get your period back.

 Want to get your cycle back on track? Need more advice on healthy hormonal balance? Chat with us . We're happy to help.