Amenorrhea or a missing period is when your period has gone missing for more than 3 months (with a regular cycle) or more than 6 months (with an irregular cycle). The most common cause of a missing period is pregnancy, but if you’re not pregnant or in menopause you should know that there are several other reasons.
HERE ARE SOME REASONS WHY YOU MAY BE MISSING YOUR PERIOD:
PCOS
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that causes irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, acne, weight gain and ovarian cysts. If left unmanaged PCOS can lead to long-term health problems, including type-2 diabetes or fertility issues. There is no single test to diagnose PCOS, but your doctor may use an ultrasound to detect ovarian cysts, a blood test to check hormone levels or a glucose tolerance test to figure out how your body responds to insulin. Diet, exercise and supplements can be really effective at relieving PCOS symptoms and balancing hormones.
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
An overactive thyroid can cause irregular periods, increased heart rate, sweating, difficulty sleeping, weight loss, hair loss and muscle weakness. Whereas an underactive thyroid tends to cause heavier, longer periods, slower heart rate, sensitivity to cold, fatigue, weight gain and weakness.
A blood test can confirm thyroid hormone imbalance. Many docs will opt to draw TSH only, but you may want to request a full Thyroid Panel to get a more complete picture. If your thyroid is out of whack, medication will likely be prescribed to regulate your thyroid hormone. You can also support your thyroid health with nutrition and supplements.
To prevent thyroid disease, consume 2-3 Brazil nuts daily (not more than 4) to get your RDA of selenium and include some sea veggies to get in your iodine. You can also try avoiding gluten and dairy for 3 months to see if it makes a difference for you.
Weight loss & over-exercising
Weighing too much or too little can mess with your cycle. Intense, prolonged exercise or training and/or sudden loss of weight, due to illness, an eating disorder or unhealthy dieting, can trigger amenorrhea. If your weight is 15% less than what it should be for your age, height and weight, then you may encounter this problem. In this case, stress hormones and metabolism are factors in the hormone disruption. The longer your body is out of balance, the more difficult it may be to get back into a normal menstrual cycle.
Talk to your doc on this one. It’s a good idea to get support. In the meantime, focus on nourishing yourself. Aim for a balance of fat, protein, fibre and colour (FPFC) at every meal, even if it’s a small one. Bone broth, nutrient-dense smoothies and blended soups can be a delicious way to get needed nutrients into your amazing body.
Medication
Some medications can actually stop periods. The birth control pill is one of those medications, depending on the dose and hormones involved. Other meds can too. If you are taking prescription meds, talk with your doctor or pharmacist and see if this might be a trigger for you. Do not stop taking medication prescribed for you without talking with your doctor first.
Premature menopause
1 in 10 women will experience premature menopause (before the age of 40). While the reasons for spontaneous premature menopause are not totally understood, the bottom line is that the ovaries stop working and ovulation ceases. Symptoms would include those similar to menopause – hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, weight gain, hair thinning and vaginal dryness. If you suspect premature menopause, make an appointment with your doctor and let them know what you’re experiencing. There are simple blood tests that can confirm your hormone levels and determine what’s going on. Since premature menopause puts women at risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, it is important to check your hormone levels.
Maintaining a healthy anti-inflammatory diet and active lifestyle, staying hydrated and staying committed to a routine of good self-care is helpful to manage your symptoms. Treatment may include Hormone Replacement Therapy.
WHAT TO DO:
Make sure you’re getting enough nutrients to nourishing the body & balance hormones
Seed cycling
Getting enough rest
Work with a Nutritionist who can help you