We've all been there — your period is a day or two late and suddenly
you're jumping to conclusions. It usually ends up showing up, but what
happens if you're not pregnant and it doesn't? Does it have something to
do with what you ate? How much you have (or haven't) been hitting the
gym? We talked to women's health specialist, Stephanie Long, MD, a
family medicine physician at OneMedical and one of the district medical
directors at the SoMa Clinic in San Francisco.
She gave us the answers
to the questions that have probably crossed your mind at one time or
another. Moral of the story? Don't diagnose yourself based on your
friends' situations.
Is It Normal to Skip a Period?
"It's
definitely true that as women we skip a period, and for that to happen
once or twice in a year isn't a big issue, as long as someone isn't
pregnant," Long said, noting that that's the most common reason. If it
happens infrequently, it most likely isn't a huge cause for concern.
Can Too Much Exercise Affect Your Period?
Exercise
is often a reason for a missed period. The brain sends signals to the
ovaries and uterus saying it's time to have a period and a lot of
exercise could shut off these signals. Long explained that when someone
works out a lot, "Your body could get a signal saying it's not time to
have your period." If your cycle seems out of whack, talk to your
doctor.
What About Too Little Exercise?
Missing a period
because of exercise is usually tied to more exercise as opposed to less
exercise, and sometimes it's coupled with weight loss. In the case where
too little exercise is suspected, it could be related to polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder where small cysts are present
on the ovaries, or a metabolic issue. But again, it's important to have
a medical professional check to make sure that isn't the case.
Is It Harmful to Your Body If You Don't Get Your Period Regularly Due to Exercise?
"It's
not dangerous, but if it's happening regularly and you're having less
than nine periods in a year, you want to protect your body from getting
irregular signals," Long explained. This is the time to consider birth
control in order to protect the uterus. Regardless of the reason a woman
is frequently missing her period, birth control can help protect the
uterus from cancers. She realizes that it can be confusing for a doctor
to say that it's OK to skip a period when you're on birth control but
not just naturally.
Can What You Do (or Don't) Eat Cause a Missed Period?
When
it comes to the general population, it doesn't appear that diet impacts
a period cycle, but more research is needed in this area, Long said.
However, sugar in particular can "change the pathway signals and could
have that effect." So people with insulin resistance will probably want
to check with a doctor to see how it impacts their bodies directly. PCOS
might influence the whole diet-period connection as well. Plus, an
irregular period makes it more difficult to predict ovulation, and if
you don't want to get pregnant right now, that's must-know info.
What Should Women Do If They Think Exercise or Diet Is Impacting Their Periods?
"I
really think it needs to be individualized to the patient," Long said.
High-level athletes might not have their periods often, but you're not
going to tell a four-time Olympic gold medalist that she has to cut back
on the exercise. Doctors can help map out personalized plans. Remember,
even if your period is in sync with all of your friends', that doesn't
mean you should all be on the same birth control plan or make the same
diet or exercise decisions. "If you're noticing changes and you're not
regular, consult your medical professional so you can make the right
decisions for you," Long advised.
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