When someone asks you what you’re doing, they usually mean it in a questioning way. However, it can also be used as an interrogative if the context is right.
Many women have irregular periods. It can take a while for your periods to become regular. There are several reasons why your period might be late.
1. Hormones
Getting your hormones in balance is key to having a healthy menstrual cycle and period. Eating a well-balanced diet, reducing stress, getting enough sleep and exercising can all help to bring your hormones back into balance. Mood-supporting supplements and charting or ovulation tracking can also be helpful (1).
Hormones are chemical messengers made by specialist cells in endocrine glands and passed directly into the bloodstream where they affect specific target cells or glands (2). Examples of hormones include melatonin (which regulates the sleep cycle), adrenaline (which prepares the body for “fight or flight”), oxytocin (“the feel good hormone”) and cortisol (which helps the body respond to stress).
Female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone are produced throughout the month to prepare the body to support a pregnancy (3). Without fertilization, these hormones begin to deplete and the uterus lining is shed, which causes a period. This is why it is important to use methods of birth control (including condoms) if you are thinking about having sex during your menstrual cycle (4).
2. Stress
Stress has been linked to many health problems, including irregular periods. The cortisol produced during times of stress can wreak havoc on the hypothalamus/pituitary/ovarian axis, and cause your period to become erratic. Stress can also cause PMS symptoms, such as bloating, cramps, nausea, back pain and fatigue, to intensify. Logging any stressful events or situations (even if they didn’t feel stressful in the moment!) can help you identify whether stress is impacting your period. Our team of experts can provide guidance and support to help you manage your menstrual cycle, PMS and other women’s health issues. Book a free consultation with us today.
5. Exercise is good for you
Physical activity is generally good for your period and can help to release tension and stress. However, it’s important to listen to your body and modify your exercise routine if you’re feeling tired or nauseous. Try walking, yoga or even a simple 10-minute workout video on YouTube that gets your heart rate up. Gentle stretching exercises such as Cobra, Cat, Cow and Fish are especially good for reducing cramps. Aerobic (cardio) workouts like jogging are also fine but you might want to slow down the pace. Exercising too vigorously may cause menstrual symptoms such as fatigue, nauseousness and headaches. You should also avoid exercising for too long if you’re experiencing heavy cramping.
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