FAQ: Why is My Period Late & What to Do? (Caused due to Stress, Lifestyle, Cycle Disruptors)

Missing your period when you're not pregnant or TTC (Trying To Conceive) can be annoying, stressful, and scary. In today's world, multiple causatives can disrupt our cycle, leaving us stuck in unpleasant stages like a prolonged PMS phase. If this is where you find yourself now, or often, I hope this article is helpful!

Please note, this is an FAQ / Q&A-based post from a young woman with a healthy cycle, who has never faced an issue before. Advice in this blog will be helpful for you if you belong to the same profile.

This article does not cover information and advice for women suffering from chronic delayed periods or an irregular cycle due to PCOS/PCOD, hormonal issues, severely underweight or malnourished.

Possible reasons for late menstruation:

If your cycle is like clockwork and you've suddenly missed it by more than 3-4 days, these could be a list of possible reasons:

1. High stress and anxiety
2. Drastic diet changes
3. Fluctuations in weight
4. Consumption of medicines like hormonal contraceptives, antidepressants, and antipsychotics
5. Intense physical activity (when severely underweight)
6. Jet lag and changes in sleep patterns
7. Other issues: High exposure to EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals), diabetes, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), thyroid disorders and perimenopause can delay the cycle.

Any serious fluctuations in body weight, whether due to rapid weight loss or weight gain, may disrupt hormonal balance and affect menstrual regularity as they interfere with the production of estrogen and progesterone, leading to delayed ovulation and late periods. Even drastic changes in diet, such as sudden shifts to very low-calorie diets, extreme fasting, or restrictive eating patterns, can impact hormone levels and menstrual cycles.

How to tackle delayed menstruation

Once you have identified the root cause, focus on the basics:

1. Prioritize a well-balanced diet with all the essential nutrients required, not forgetting protein, zinc, and B vitamins. (Discount code: SHEVAUN5)
2. Get ample sleep around 9 hours each night.
3. Engaging in destressing practices like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce cortisol levels and promote relaxation.
4. Regular physical activity has been shown to have stress-reducing effects and can help modulate the HPA axis. Moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, jogging, or cycling, can promote the release of endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers
5. Get crafty! Pick up an artsy hobby that you force yourself to participate in for at least an hour a day.
6. Tea is your best friend. Ditch the caffeine for a while and switch to herbal teas. My personal favorite is Hibiscus Tea but you could also consider Raspberry leaf tea which is commonly used to support reproductive health and may help tone the uterus. Chamomile tea is also renowned for its calming properties and may help reduce stress and anxiety levels

Happy healing!

Hi! I’m Shevaun Pimenta,

I’m a Functional Nutritionist writing Heal Thyself to make unbiased and helpful health and wellness advice for busy professional on LinkedIn more accessible!

For consultations:

If you're struggling with cycle and health dysfunctions, I am open to working with a select few individuals who want to heal lifestyle diseases from the root, naturally through food and daily habits.

Interested in knowing more? Send me a DM!

#ShevaunWrites by Shevaun Pimenta

#functionalnutrition #mentalhealth #holistichealth #coach #mindfuleating #wellness

Disclaimer: While I am a licensed functional nutritionist, the information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Individual health needs vary, and it is recommended to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

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