6 Things that Can Mess Up Your Cycle
Your period is running a couple days late, and while your first instinct might be to text all your girlfriends the SOS, take a minute because a missed period doesn’t always mean there’s a bun in the oven.
A little variation in your cycle is typical, and there are many surprising factors that could affect your period. We’ve put together six things that could be holding you back from hustling through you flow.1. RIGOROUS EXERCISE
You may have heard of marathon runners and other pro athletes losing their periods. That’s because a combo of frequent exercise and low body fat puts stress on the body. A delayed period could be the body’s defensive way of protecting itself during times of high pressure. All of this tells to the brain to stop producing those baby-making hormones.
2. TAKING MEDS
Any meds that involve hormones such as steroids, thyroid medications and antipsychotics can have an effect on your period. All hormones work their way through the bloodstream, meaning they’re all connected, no matter what gland they’ve come from. If something is out of sync, your hormones will react to this, potentially leading to a late period.
3. FEELING STRESSED
Stress has a significant effect on the body, sometimes manifesting in physical symptoms such as a late period. Technically speaking, a high stress level and bringing a baby into the world aren’t naturally suited, which is why in a recent Human Reproduction Study, women who were stressed out were less likely to conceive than their more chilled counterparts. If your periods are being affected by stress, take some much needed you time to relax and find your zen because when it comes to conceiving, mental health is just as important as physical health.
4. BAD SLEEPING HABITS
As if we needed another reason to get our full eight hours, it turns out skipping out on sleep can actually throw you off cycle. According to a review published in Sleep Medicine, people who work irregular shift work such as nurses and flight attendants were more likely to suffer from irregular periods. Messing with your body’s clock confuses your reproductive hormones, which play a vital role in ovulation and menstruation.
5. TRAVELING
Ever been caught off guard on holiday and found yourself scouring the streets for the nearest pharmacy? This could be a direct effect of climate change and travelling through different time zones. Your metabolic rate may be effected by a sudden change in weather meaning your body doesn’t regulate automatically, leading to an imbalance of hormones. Simply put, your brain may still be signaling to your body that it’s nighttime even if it’s broad daylight in your new spot, causing your flow to start a day or two early.
6. RECENT SICKNESS
This might be pretty obvious, but when you’re suffering from an illness like the flu or a cold, your body simply doesn't function the same as when you’re feeling 100%. Illness takes its toll on the body, and If you’re ill near the time you normally would be ovulating, this can cause a temporary delay in ovulation, resulting in a delayed period.
While delayed periods are usually nothing worry about, if you’ve suffered with irregular periods for more than a couple months, it’s best to get checked out by your doctor. Our periods are actually amazing (though they might not feel that way at the time); they’re usually a solid indicator of what’s going on with the rest of the body, so don’t hesitate to ask for a professional’s opinion if you’re worried about your cycle.
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