Can stress really delay a period?
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS
Directly. The brain runs the cycle, and under sustained stress the hypothalamus dials down the signals that trigger ovulation. No ovulation, no period on schedule.
Exams, bereavement, moves, illness and severe undereating or overtraining are classic period-stoppers. The cycle usually returns as life steadies.
Rule out pregnancy when relevant, and take three or more scattered or absent months as a reason to test thyroid, prolactin and screen for PCOS rather than blaming stress indefinitely.
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