If you’re anything like me, you’re probably about as clued up on periods as you are on the meaning of life. Seriously. I’ve tried period tracking apps, inadvertently synchronising with my closest friends, studying full moon patterns and performing rituals with incense. My cycle is still a total enigma to me, even at the grand old age of 22.
When I had my first period at the age of 11, I thought I’d reached the end of the beaten track when it came to mystery pre-menstrual symptoms. As far as I was concerned, people got their periods as regularly as clockwork. No fuss, no mess.
I’m on my period as I’m writing this, realising how disgracefully off the mark I was. Rest assured, I’m eating my words with plenty of whipped cream and chocolate sauce on top.
I’ve had irregular periods, missed periods, pregnancy test after pregnancy test. Four years ago, when I first started uni – my period didn’t darken my door for eight entire months.
I’m not the only one. Sophie, 24, is used to her irregular periods. ‘Its like a lottery,’ she tells me. ‘I basically have 6-week periods and nothing for months!’
A lot of this was down to stress. As a chronic stress-head and sufferer of GAD, it can occasionally feel like my period is dictated by my brain.
What is it about stress that keeps our periods from flowing freely? Why are we more likely to miss out on our periods when we’re feeling tense and anxious?
It may surprise you to learn that the answer lies in evolution.
Stress can affect every single person in different ways, including people who menstruate. Some may find that their period becomes a more painful experience (dysmenorrhea) when they’re in a tense situation – with chaotic cramping and passing blood clots, heat pads and bed rest are the most effective prescriptions. Other people may still have their periods, but intermittently – either a few months on and a few months off, or spotting during periods of high stress.
Some people, however, can experience a total absence of periods. This is called amenorrhea.
When we find ourselves in a stressful situation – the central nervous system (CNS) acts accordingly, according to Healthline.
This triggers a process known as our ‘caveperson instinct’. The fight-or-flight response is rooted in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Back in the beginning, the hypothalamus primed us for fighting against – or indeed fleeing from – predators and other obvious threats to our safety.
While we no longer need this response in the same way, our CNS is still programmed as if we do.
When we hit the peak of a stressful situation, the hypothalamus sends a signal to the adrenal gland – telling it to release the ‘stress hormones’ adrenaline and cortisol. When the chemicals are dispersed through the body, they suppress any unnecessary functions we don’t desperately need to live.
Our heart rate increases because the heart is key for our survival. The menstrual cycle, however, is temporarily halted.
Depending how long you remain in a stressful situation, your periods may stop for an extended amount of time. This is due to your body staying in that fight-or-flight mode. Once you start to calm down, your period should return as well.
This is why self-care is a must! Make sure you’re getting plenty of ‘you’ time. Find what makes you feel good, and make sure you’re protecting your mental health as you go through stressful situations.
If your periods don’t return after 6 months, or you suspect there may be something other than stress causing your amenorrhoea – consider visiting a doctor to talk through your symptoms.
