Will stress delay you period?

How a person takes in stress can absolutely delay and affect the onset of a period in various ways. To fully answer the question, it is important to understand stress. Everyone experiences stress, and there are both good and bad stressors. An example of good stress might be a promotion, a new relationship, playing an undefeated team in a sport, or planning a vacation. An example of bad stress might be illness, financial strain, running late, or overcooking dinner. The latter list many people actually learn to navigate, so they can keep their stress at bay with how they view life events, triggers, and learning to cope through various skills. Even still, almost everyone experiences stress, and the ways their body takes in that stress can affect period onset.

The Rhythm And Cycles Of Life

The menstrual cycle is affected by not only stress but the various stresses placed on the body. People who choose or have difficulty eating, drinking enough water, and ensuring they are receiving their nutrients can delay the onset of their period. The stress placed on the body in this way actually prevents it from going through the menstrual cycle at times, as it actually takes a pretty large amount of energy and nutrients to go through it. People who exercise or train to extreme amounts can also delay periods by the physical stress they’re placing on their bodies. And if this starts early enough in life, it can even delay the first onset by years. People who begin experiencing a new stressor like a relationship, job position, or moving can delay the onset. Think of anything that affects the body inside and out to a greater extreme than usual. People have reported vacations actually causing them periods because the body has relaxed enough from the ongoing stress of work and life to allow the body to do so.

How To Stay Balanced

If the goal is to keep as regular a schedule as possible with periods, the first line of health is regular doctor visits to your gynecologist. Secondly, practicing safe sex and if an oral contraceptive is utilized, following those guidelines as well. Additionally, helpful ways to continue a regular menstrual cycle include nutrition, exercise, balancing work and rest, a sleep schedule, and managing stress through self-talk and reflection, coping skills, support systems, and ways to enjoy downtime as much as possible.