Where’s my period? 5 reasons your cycle has gone mIA
There is nothing quite like the specific type of anxiety that comes from a missing period when you know you aren't pregnant. Your mind goes to a million places, is it early menopause? Am I sick? Do I have a hormonal problem?
But your cycle is like a vital sign, it’s your body’s way of communicating its current health + stress status. So let's dive into 5 reasons why your cycle could be missing...
Functional Hypothalamic Ammenorrhoea (HA)
What it is: This occurs when the hypothalamus (the control centre in your brain) decides it’s not safe to reproduce.
The causes: High stress, over-exercising, not eating enough (specifically low energy availability around exercise). Sometimes women also fall into the clean eating trap, where they are so focused on eating healthy that they actually under-eat, intentionally or not.
HA is something I personally struggled with for 8 years during my 20s.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
What it is: A hormonal and metabolic condition where high levels of androgens (like testosterone), inflammation or nervous system stress interfere with ovulation.
Key clues: Irregular or missing periods paired with symptoms like adult acne, thinning hair on the head, excess hair in other places, weight gain (not always), blood sugar instability, skin tags, anxiety, depression, infertility or difficulty falling pregnant, sometimes cysts on the ovaries but not always.
Thyroid turmoil
What it is: Your thyroid is the master of your metabolism. If it’s running too fast or too slow, it can tell your reproductive system to take a backseat.
Check for: Feeling unusually cold, hair loss, thinning outer third of eyebrows, sudden weight changes, mood changes, constipation or diarrhoea or racing heart rate alongside the missing period.
post-pill rebound
What it is: Coming off hormonal birth control is a major adjustment for your body. It is very likely that your body has been on autopilot for years and it can take a few months for the brain and ovaries to start talking to each other again.
Expectation: It’s common for the first few cycles to be wonky or absent as your natural hormones wake up. Anything longer than 6 months should be investigated.
silent stressors
What it is: Sometimes a missing period is not a disorder, just a reaction. A heavy bout of the flu, a big move, a breakup or even high levels of systemic inflammation (from ongoing gut issues) can delay ovulation.
The logic: If the body is busy fighting an enemy (like a virus or extreme burnout), it pauses the luxury of the menstrual cycle to prioritise keeping you alive.
A little note from me…
If you’ve been reading through these reasons and feeling a little overwhelmed, please know that you don't have to figure this out in isolation. Our bodies are incredibly intuitive, but sometimes the why behind a missing cycle can feel like a bit of a puzzle.
If you’re feeling ready to look closer at your own rhythm, whether that’s navigating stress, adjusting your movement or simply finding more balance in your day-to-day, then I’d love to support you.
I offer 1:1 consults where we can sit down together (online) and untangle what your body might be trying to tell you. No pressure, just a dedicated space for us to focus on getting you feeling like you again.
With love x