Stress and Your Monthly Cycle

Stress comes in many forms and has many different effects on the entire body. Stress can disrupt your sleep, prevent you from getting sleep, cause you to eat too much or too less, cause your skin to breakout, affect your mood, and it can also disrupt a woman’s menstrual cycle. When the body is under stress, it produces an excessive amount of adrenaline and cortisol that causes the body to react differently to its normal functions. While there are other factors that can affect a woman’s natural menstrual cycle such as significant weight loss, exercising too vigorously, pregnancy, and certain medical factors, stress also causes changes in a woman’s body. A high stress level can cause a woman to have an abnormal period, or none at all, and can play a significant role in the ability to conceive.

The body is designed to be able to handle stress in small amounts and at infrequent times. A body that experiences stress for long durations will consistently release an excess of cortisol. This hormone is meant to help the brain function well under stress, however it also decreases other “nonessential” functions of the body. Saliva production typically decreases, the appetite is suppressed in many people under stress, and the reproductive functions of the body are often halted. The brain goes into a hyper-focused mode, giving its energy and concentration to the essentials until the stress is relieved.

The female body is meant to function on a monthly schedule to allow for the natural process of passing the uterine lining from the body and then building it back up. The female eggs are also produced on a regularly schedule to help women conceive. If the production of estrogen and progesterone are limited or stopped altogether, the female body will be unable to become pregnant. For women who are trying to conceive, lowering their stress levels is incredibly important.

For women who are trying to conceive and women who are not, it is important to discuss with your OB-GYN any changes in your menstrual cycle. If your cycle is not normal, there are often other areas in the body that are not functioning properly either. Contact Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A. to schedule an appointment.