Chronic, severe, or intense stress—whether psychological (grief, work pressure, exams) or physical (extreme exercise, low body weight, poor nutrition)—can disrupt hormones, halting ovulation and causing missed or no periods, a condition called functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). This happens when the body's "fight-or-flight" response, releasing cortisol, signals it's not safe to reproduce, putting the menstrual cycle on pause.
Short-term periods of significant stress can lead to a delayed menstrual period for several days, often allowing the period to commence once the stress has subsided. For longer-term or chronic stress, the menstrual period can be delayed by much longer or even just missed entirely for a month or for several months.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you're older than 15 and haven't gotten your period or you've had a normal menstrual cycle but now you're missing periods. Amenorrhea is usually the sign of a treatable condition. Once your provider figures out what's causing missed periods, you can get care to regulate your cycle.
Mental stress can temporarily alter the functioning of your hypothalamus — an area of your brain that controls the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. Ovulation and menstruation may stop as a result.
Medical ways to induce periods
Menstruation is driven by hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers in your body. Your pituitary gland (in your brain) and your ovaries (part of your reproductive system) make and release certain hormones at certain times during your menstrual cycle.
9 Signs Your Hormones Are Out of Whack
Signs of Late Periods Due to Stress
Don't ignore unexpected missed periods
But if your regular menstrual cycle stops unexpectedly, there's a reason for concern. Don't let it go more than three months before you call your doctor.
A phantom period is a phenomenon where you experience menstrual symptoms but never actually bleed. It happens when your body goes through hormonal shifts without shedding the uterine lining.
Amenorrhea is not a disease, but it is typically a symptom of another condition. But whether you have amenorrhea or are suddenly getting your period late, it's critical to pinpoint the cause. Having irregular menstrual cycles over time can lead to early-onset menopause.
A missed period could also be linked to:
Reduce Your Stress
When this happens, your period can be late. There are many ways in which you can cut down on your stress. For example, yoga and meditation are obvious ways to get stress levels in check. Even things like taking hot baths can relax your mind and body enough to speed up your period's arrival.
Hormonal Imbalances
Imbalances in thyroid hormones, insulin, or reproductive hormones may cause late or irregular periods. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for example, is a condition where the ovaries produce excess androgens. This can affect ovulation, leading to irregular or missed periods.
Changes your period's timing or causes it to go missing
If you're dealing with stress after you ovulate, your hormone levels are thrown out of whack. You can experience spotting, a period that arrives early, or a period that differs from your norm in terms of consistency, length, color, and/or symptoms like cramping.
7 Methods to Induce Your Period
The main treatment healthcare providers use for hypothalamic amenorrhea is lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes may include limiting vigorous exercise, gaining weight or finding ways to reduce stress levels.
Common symptoms of PCOS include:
This stress response may delay your period by several days, weeks, and even months. However, if you miss more than two periods you should book in to see your primary care physician or gynecologist as prolonged delays can lead to hormonal issues.
Physical signs of stress
Irregular periods can happen due to various factors. If they are not caused by some particular medical conditions, you can consume several natural remedies to induce periods, such as chamomile tea, turmeric, ginger tea, apple cider vinegar, and pineapple.
Hormonal imbalances show up as symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues (acne), hair changes, sleep problems, brain fog, low libido, digestive issues, and temperature sensitivity, affecting energy, body functions, and mental well-being, often linked to stress, thyroid, or reproductive hormones.
Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are in charge of sending impulses between nerve cells, are the main hormones linked to depression and sadness. In specifically, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are three neurotransmitters that are vital.
What can I drink to balance my hormones? Herbal teas such as spearmint, chamomile, or green tea can help support hormone regulation and reduce stress.