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How Stress Impacts Your Period Cycle?

How Stress Impacts Your Period Cycle?

Whether you like it or not, stress impacts your life more than you know. It affects your mental as well as physical state, inviting unexpected health deterioration. When your doctor says to reduce your stress, it’s a big sign to listen to them before it gets too late. Stress might be uncontrollable as it is a trigger response when dealing with difficult situations. So, does it really affect your menstrual cycle? Let’s understand this in detail-

Key Highlights

✅Can stress really delay periods?

✅How does it affect your menstrual cycle?

✅What are the measures to reduce stress?

✅How to stay prepared for your unexpected period arrival?

How Stress Delays Your Periods: Understanding the Relationship Between the Two

Stress, we all know, is a mental and physical response to changes in our environment. These changes can be anything, but the stress derived from it, is not always negative. Stress that arises from exercises and physical activities is positive and gives you plenty of energy and health benefits. 

The relation between stress and periods might seem complicated. But the thing for you to know is that it impacts your period cycle. Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is a hormonal pathway. This increases the cortisol level and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which can affect the reproductive hormones, leading to an imbalance in your menstrual cycle. Cortisol level and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), help manage the stress levels. Therefore, if you manage your stress, the production of cortisol will be lower, and as a result, your period cycle will also be regulated. 

Delayed Periods or Irregular Menstruation: How It Impacts Your Cycle 

Stress impacts your period cycle and sometimes leads to menstrual disorders. Here are different signs that may help you know if you’re taking too much stress-

  • Irregular Menstrual Cycle 

Stress impacts your menstrual cycle massively. It may delay your ovulation or stop it, making it a reason for irregular periods. Your body may respond to stress by changing your cycle, such as your period might be delayed or come early, the cycle might be shorter or longer. It all depends on how your body manages to react. 

  • Flow Changes 

Changes in your flow are likely to be witnessed depending on your stress level. You may experience heavy bleeding or spotting too soon. Sometimes, there are chances of missed periods as a result of too much stress. 

  • Period Cramps and Pain

Yes, stress also comes out as a painful period. Stress may lead to serious period cramps and extreme, prolonged pain. This becomes unbearable, and women usually start taking medications after consulting a doctor, which is the best approach to take.

  • Amenorrhea

Taking too much tension may also lead you to have the medical condition of Amenorrhea, which is a term for the abnormal stoppage or absence of the menstrual cycle. So, managing this lifestyle factor is important to have good health. 

  • Increased PMS Symptoms 

High levels of stress can lead to increased PMS symptoms such as bloating, severe headaches, mood swings, fatigue, and more. Looking at the severity, it is important to look after your health. 

Best Measures to Reduce Stress for Better Menstrual Health

A good lifestyle gives you a healthy, balanced life. Maintaining stress should be the top priority in everybody's life for better mental and physical health. So, how should you manage the stress? Here are the details- 

  • Take a good amount of Sleep: Taking a complete 8 hours of sleep is necessary to relax your mind and stop your overthinking. It gives your mind the rest to think carefully.
  • Nutritious Diet: Include a nutritious diet in your daily routine for better health. Nutrients help to energize your body and help to relieve your stress.
  • Exercise: Don’t forget to exercise! It is the most effective way to maintain your health. Boost your exercise routine so that you can let out all the stress through workouts.
  • Reduce your Caffeine: Caffeine does help in boosting your energy levels, however, it disrupts your sleep, making you restless. So, limiting your caffeine is the best option for your menstrual health.
  • Hydration: Yes, hydration is the key to good health. Drinking plenty of water helps to reduce the symptoms such as bloating and constipation, and keeps your health in check. 

Essentials for the Unexpected Period Arrival 

Shouldn’t you be prepared for the unexpected arrival of your period? We understand stress can have a negative effect on your menstrual cycle, which is why we think you should be ready at all times with the right essentials. Let’s have a look-

  • Sanitary Pads: Sanitary pads are always the need of the hour for those initial period days. Azah 100% Rash-Free Sanitary Pads give you the best period experience for your normal flow periods. It doesn’t give you any rashes and keeps the top layer dry.

Sanitary Pads for Women (Box of 12) Ultra Thin, 100% Rash-Free, & 5x Absorption (With Disposable Bag) AZAH

  • Period Panties: Period panties are the new highlight for the ladies. It has made your heavy flow periods so easy to deal with. When you use Azah Disposable Period Panty, it makes your periods carefree as you get 360° coverage with 12-hour leak-proof protection.

 

  • Night Pads: For those heavy flow nights, your saviour has to be the night pads that are specially designed for your carefree nights. Azah SleepEzzz Night Sanitary Pads give you 0% leaks for 12 hours and come back with a longer and wider back.   

  • Panty Liners: Yes, for those spotting days! Panty liners are perfect for your starting days when you feel like it’s time, and you see the spotting. You can use these for those days and stay carefree. 

Conclusion

Stress is the biggest reason why women nowadays face menstrual health challenges. It leads to deterioration of the mind and body, leading to several health issues. Some women also face menopause due to high levels of stress. Therefore, managing stress is very significant in regularizing your period cycle and attaining a hormonal balance. Also, don’t forget to have the period essentials with you for the unexpected period arrival. 

FAQs

1. Can stress mess up your period?

Yes, stress can mess up your period cycle and may lead you to irregular periods, severe PMS symptoms, and changes in flow. Therefore, managing stress is important through exercising, sleeping, and eating a nutritious diet. 

2. How do I know if I have Amenorrhea?

If you feel like you are not getting your period for a continuous 3 months, then it’s time that you consult a doctor. To know more about it, you can read Amenorrhea or Missed Periods: When Is It a Cause for Concern.

3. What does a stress period look like?

Stress period looks like having an irregular period cycle, bloating, severe headache, muscle aches, sleep disturbances, and so on. These are the signs that you need to take care of! 

Sources

1. Healthline: Can Stress Mess Up Your Period?
2. GoodRx: How Does Stress Affect Your Period?
3. HealthFab: Period Essentials: 11 Must-Have Items for a Smooth Cycle

 

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