Missed a period? Here’s why the pandemic could be to blame

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Photo credit: Emilija Manevska – Getty Images

It’s safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot, from the way we go out together to the way we travel abroad. But, one thing we didn’t expect to change is our period.

In fact, more and more women (and those assigned to a woman at birth) have opened up about how the pandemic has affected their menstrual cycle, with some noticing irregular periods while others saying theirs have. completely ceased.

So, is there really a connection between the pandemic and our rules, and should we be concerned? We spoke to Dr Samantha Wild, Head of Women’s Health at Bupa Health Clinics, to find out.

Why has the pandemic affected the rules?

The short answer is, stress. Yes, besides affecting your quality of sleep, sex life, and appetite, stress can also affect your period. And, let’s face it, what could be more stressful than experiencing a single pandemic?

“There is no doubt that the past year has been stressful for all of us,” says Dr. Wild, “It is completely understandable to feel anxious, stressed or worried about the pandemic, and these feelings can have affected your period. “

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But how does stress actually affect your period?

When your body is stressed, it goes into fight or flight mode, sending all of its energy to deal with it. This prevents our reproductive hormones from communicating with our ovaries, and as stress comes and goes, prolonged stress (say a two-year pandemic) forces our bodies to adapt.

Simply put, when our bodies are dealing with all this stress, multitasking just isn’t a priority, so our rules are put on the back burner.

“Your menstrual cycle is controlled by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. A change in these hormones can wreak havoc on your emotions, leaving you anxious, irritated, stressed or depressed,” says Dr. Wild, “Stress can impact your menstrual cycle in several ways, including shortening or lengthening them, stopping them completely, or making them more painful. “

The story continues

Photo credit: Volanthevist – Getty Images

Dr. Wild continues, “During a particularly stressful time, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which helps your body prepare to fight or flee a threat. If you’ve felt stressed for a long time, for example during the pandemic, this persistent stress level may have left you hanging in fight or flight mode. An increase in cortisol levels in your body means that you are at a higher risk of having a missed or irregular period. “

What if you notice a change in your period?

“If you have noticed a change in your monthly cycle (for example, abnormal bleeding or heavier periods), it is important to talk to your doctor, even if you think it is due to stress during the pandemic. “says Dr. Wild.

“Any abnormal bleeding should be examined by your doctor, especially if the bleeding occurs during or after sex. If you usually have a regular cycle, a change in your cycle (such as suddenly having two periods a month) may indicate an infection. or other conditions such as polyps and cancer of the cervix and endometrium (uterine cancer) should be taken into account and excluded. “

If all of the above have been ruled out by your GP, Dr. Wild explains that tracking your cycle can be helpful in understanding your personal menstrual cycle. As Dr. Wild says, “Knowing your menstrual cycle helps you know what’s normal for your body (and what isn’t), for example by noting any heavier bleeding. This will help you spot everything quickly. unusual discharge, abnormal bleeding, or any other unusual symptoms and report these changes to your doctor. “

Photo credit: Volanthevist – Getty Images

Dr. Wild also adds that if stress is affecting your period, there are many ways to combat it naturally, including getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and maintaining your weight.

Should we be worried about rule changes?

As Dr. Wild explains, “your cycle can change over time,” and while an irregular period isn’t always a sign of a problem, it’s best to talk to your doctor about a change in your cycle. .

“There might be nothing wrong,” she said, “but it’s a good idea to get checked out to see what might be causing it, especially since we’ve all been subjected to it. considerable stress recently. “

So what is the record of pandemic periods?

While it is certainly possible that our period has been affected by the pandemic and especially stress, Dr Wild stresses the importance of getting checked out by your GP.

“No problem or worry is too much of an embarrassment,” she says, “and if that helps you feel more comfortable, you can ask a female GP at your appointment. Embarrassingly, remember that doctors and nurses see bodies of all shapes and sizes every day – their main concern is making sure you’re healthy. “

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