The Tea
Like many women, I’ve never really enjoyed getting my period. The cramps are painful, my mood is off, and I feel a general lack of energy and productivity. Sometimes I wish I could permanently forgo this part of womanhood, which is when I remind myself that it’s a necessary evil to keep my health in check. I’d lost it before due to stress and weight loss, an experience which gave me a newfound appreciation for my period once I got it back.
I figured most women shared my sentiments, but learned this wasn’t the case after meeting several colleagues who were nonchalant about their period loss. If you fall into this category, let the information serve as a reminder of why it matters if your period has stopped.
The Brew
Why do you need to menstruate?
Any woman who has experienced a menstrual cycle knows that it isn’t the most fun of experiences. It can come with a plethora of negative side effects, from pain and discomfort to irritability and mood swings. Many of us understandably dislike our periods, but it’s important to understand why our bodies undergo this cycle.
Menstruation can be viewed as a form of detoxification for the reproductive system. It allows the body to eliminate waste products and substances that are no longer needed. In addition, the feminine hormones estrogen and progesterone play vital roles in maintaining bone health, cardiovascular health, and maintaining healthy skin and hair. Menstruation is a sign that your hormonal levels are in check and contributing to other areas of your health.
So even if you’re not planning on having a baby anytime soon (or at all), menstruation still plays a vital role in women’s health.
Why did my period stop?
Missing your period once or twice isn’t that unusual. Menstrual irregularities occur in 14-25% of women aged between 20 and 30 according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. However, you should be concerned if it disappears for longer than 3-6 months.
A prolonged absence of menstruation (for at least three consecutive cycles) in a woman who had previously experienced regular periods is referred to as secondary amenorrhea. There are various reasons why periods stop, ranging from pregnancy to underlying medical conditions such as PCOS. Below are some of the most common sources of a missed period.
Pregnancy
A woman’s body undergoes significant hormonal changes when she becomes pregnant. The key hormone involved is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced by the developing placenta. HCG signals the body to maintain the uterine lining, ensuring it remains receptive to the developing embryo. The uterine lining acts as a protective barrier around the developing embryo, shielding it from external factors that could be harmful.
PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and common condition that can significantly impact a woman’s reproductive health. Secondary amenorrhea is a prominent signs of PCOS, since the condition disrupts the normal hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle. Women with PCOS often have elevated levels of androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone. These high androgen levels can disrupt the balance between estrogen and progesterone, crucial hormones for the menstrual cycle. Without this balance, the uterine lining may not build up properly, leading to amenorrhea. In addition, anovulation – the absence of ovulation – is another symptom of PCOS. When the ovaries fail to release a mature egg, it disrupts the normal hormonal feedback loop that governs the menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels remain low without ovulation, and the uterine lining does not shed as it does during a typical menstrual cycle, leading to missed periods.
Stress
Chronic stress can disrupt the balance of hormones in the body. Elevated levels of stress hormones can interfere with the normal functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, both of which are crucial for regulating the menstrual cycle. They produce GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), and LH (luteinizing hormone). All of these hormones are essential for a normal menstrual cycle.
Birth control pills
Birth control pills typically contain synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This hormone suppresses natural hormonal fluctuations. One of the primary mechanisms of birth control pills is the suppression of ovulation, which is the release of a mature egg from the ovaries. There is no need for the uterine lining to be shed without ovulation, which is what happens during menstruation. It’s important to note that not all women who use birth control pills will experience amenorrhea. Individual responses to birth control can vary.
How to get your period back
There are certain traditional recipes that are said to relieve women’s health issues, such as eating certain foods or spices. These types of remedies might work if you haven’t had your period once or twice. However, you should consult with a women’s health professional (such as a gynaecologist or endocrinologist) if you have been experiencing amenorrhea for many months. They can help identify the underlying cause of amenorrhea through evaluation, medical history, and necessary tests. Your healthcare provider will recommend appropriate treatments or interventions depending on your diagnosis.
The Pour
As painful, unpleasant, or irritating as it may be, menstruation is a key indicator of a woman’s reproductive health. It signifies that your reproductive system is functioning correctly. That’s why it’s important to try and get it back if you’ve lost it – a long term lack of menstruation could be a sign of something more concerning.
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