A full stop to your period

Shweta Goswami

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In today’s stress-laden times there can be several reasons in disruption in many women’s menstruation cycle. However, missing out on your period doesn’t mean that you’re pregnant. Usually women take it for granted that they will have periods from puberty until middle age. But what happens when their periods stop suddenly? It’s fairly common to experience irregular periods from time to time – lifestyle changes and environmental factors can cause a delay or stop in periods (amenorrhea). But if this happens at a young age, it is always better to consult a doctor.

If a young woman usually having regular periods miss out having one for three months, and is not pregnant, should see a gynecologist as it could be serious. These are some of the most common reasons why periods in some young women may have stopped.

You’re stressed

Severe stress can majorly affect your periods. High levels of stress hormones such as cortisol in the body interfere with menstrual hormones surges, resulting in a cycle that’s delayed or that just stops.

You exercise excessively

Working out is good but if you exercise too much, or do it aggressively then your hormones will be disrupted in a similar way to when you’re stressed.  If you are an avid gym-goer or athlete and you have very little body fat, there is a good chance you will begin to skip periods and have anovular cycles. Even if you do have a cycle, you may have very light bleeds as the womb lining is thin.

You have a low body weight

We know not all fat is good, but some fat is essential. If your body weight sinks too low, you may stop ovulating. Being too thin also prevents a pregnancy when, as far as the body is concerned, there is not enough food to sustain both you and a baby.

You may have PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is quite common today especially at young age due to lifestyle habits. It’s an endocrine disorder that has many symptoms, such as lack of or irregular periods, ‘cysts’ on the ovaries, fertility issues and weight gain. It can also cause excess body hair, acne, thinning hair and depression. Not everyone shows all these signs, however, it affects women in different ways. Untreated, it can sometimes lead to more serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart problems, so don’t ignore it.

You could be going through pre-mature menopause 

The menopause is something usually associated with older women, but premature ovarian failure (POF) can happen to younger women, too. The exact cause of POF remains undetermined but changing food habits, work cultures with increased pressure and high-stress jobs can be some of the reasons of behind sudden menopause.

If you experience any of the above symptoms meet a gynecologist without delay for a thorough check-up.

—The writer is a gynaecologist, Max Hospital, Gurgaon