Wondering why is my period not coming, stressing over wasted money on pregnancy tests, and avoiding your favorite white pants because who knows when your period will finally show up? It's beyond frustrating, and you're not alone in this struggle. The good news is, there are reasons behind these missed periods, and understanding them can help you regain control over your cycle and hormone health.
1. Your Hormones and Gut Health Impact Periods and Cycles
If you're asking "Why is my period not coming?" your gut health might be the missing link. Your hormones and gut health are closely connected, and any imbalance can totally mess with your menstrual cycle. Think of your gut microbiome as a little community of trillions of bacteria that live in your digestive system, working hard to keep everything in balance.
When this community is thriving, it helps regulate estrogen levels, which is super important for keeping your period regular. But when things go awry—maybe because of a poor diet, stress, or even antibiotics—it can lead to hormonal imbalances.
If your gut health is out of whack, it can throw your hormones into chaos, leading to irregular periods, even missed cycles, or be one of the reasons your period is 5 days late…or 30 days late…
When your gut microbiome is disrupted, it can affect the production and metabolism of estrogen. Estrogen is a key hormone in regulating your menstrual cycle. An imbalanced gut can lead to higher levels of beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme produced by certain gut bacteria that can reactivate estrogen in the intestine. This process, known as enterohepatic recirculation, can contribute to elevated estrogen levels and potentially result in estrogen dominance.
This matters because this enzyme breaks the bond between estrogen and glucuronic acid, which normally helps estrogen get excreted. When reactivated, estrogen can re-enter the bloodstream, leading to higher circulating levels.
Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria, also often leads to increased beta-glucuronidase activity.
This is a hormonal imbalance where estrogen levels are too high relative to progesterone, potentially contributing to symptoms like heavy periods, endometriosis. irregular cycles, or missed periods altogether.
A disrupted gut can also lead to inflammation, which further affects hormone balance. Inflammation triggers stress responses in the body, increasing cortisol levels and disrupting the delicate balance of reproductive hormones. This can delay ovulation or even prevent it from happening, leading to late or missed periods.
Ladies, maintaining a healthy gut is key to balancing your hormones and answering the question, "Why is my period not coming?". This means eating a diet rich in fiber, fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, and staying hydrated. And let's not forget about the importance of reducing stress and getting enough sleep—these play a significant role in gut health too. By taking care of your gut, you’re not just supporting your digestion but also promoting a balanced and regular menstrual cycle.
2. High Levels of Stress Can Impact Periods and Cycles
Stress is another major reason behind the question, "Why is my period not coming?" When your body is under stress, it produces cortisol, the “stress hormone,” which can interfere with the delicate balance of hormones that regulate your cycle. Chronic stress can delay ovulation or even cause your period to skip entirely.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take small steps to manage your stress. Practices like meditation, light exercise, or seeking guidance from a holistic nutritionist can help regulate your stress levels and bring your cycle back into balance.
3. Environmental Toxins Can Impact Periods and Cycles
Environmental toxins are sneaky culprits that can affect your hormone health. If you’ve ever wondered, "Why is my period not coming?" exposure to toxins like BPA in plastics or pesticides in non-organic foods could be part of the problem. Exposure to toxins in your environment and diet can disrupt your hormone health. These toxins are sneaky little culprits that can mimic or block hormones, causing imbalances that throw your menstrual cycle off track. Think about it—those seemingly harmless plastics you use every day or the non-organic foods you consume could be playing a part in why your period is late.
Scientifically speaking, many of these toxins are known as endocrine disruptors. They can interfere with the normal functioning of your endocrine system, which is responsible for hormone production and regulation. For instance, chemicals like BPA found in plastics can mimic estrogen, one of the key hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle. When your body is flooded with these synthetic estrogens, it can lead to estrogen dominance, resulting in irregular or missed periods.
Ladies, it’s time to take charge and protect your hormone health. Start by choosing organic foods whenever possible. Yes, they might be a bit pricier, but investing in your health is always worth it. Plus, organic foods are free from harmful pesticides and chemicals that can mess with your hormones. Pesticides and herbicides used in conventional farming can act as xenoestrogens—foreign estrogens that disrupt your hormonal balance, leading to cycle irregularities.
Next, let's talk beauty products. We all love our skincare and makeup routines, but many conventional beauty products are loaded with toxins. Parabens and phthalates, commonly found in beauty products, are endocrine disruptors that can interfere with your hormone levels. Switch to natural beauty products that are free from these chemicals. Your skin and hormones will thank you!
And don't forget about plastics. Those convenient plastic containers and water bottles can leach harmful chemicals like BPA into your food and drinks. BPA can bind to estrogen receptors and disrupt your hormonal balance. Opt for glass or stainless steel alternatives instead.
Making these small changes can have a big impact on your hormone health. Remember, you deserve to feel your best and have a predictable, healthy menstrual cycle. So, let’s ditch the toxins and embrace a cleaner, hormone-friendly lifestyle together! If you’re not sure how to get started, see my Amazon storefront for lower-tox household, makeup & beauty products.
4. Nervous System Stuck in Fight or Flight
When your nervous system is stuck in fight or flight mode, it can wreak havoc on your hormone health and menstrual cycle. Imagine your body is constantly on high alert, like it's preparing for a big test or running from a bear (yikes!). This state of chronic stress and anxiety keeps your cortisol levels elevated, which can seriously mess with the delicate balance of hormones needed for a regular period.
When you're stressed, your body produces more cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels interfere with the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is crucial for the regulation of your menstrual cycle. GnRH signals your pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), both of which are essential for ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
When cortisol levels are high, it suppresses GnRH production, which in turn reduces the levels of LH and FSH. This can delay or even prevent ovulation, leading to irregular periods or missed cycles. Additionally, chronic stress can also elevate prolactin levels, another hormone that can inhibit ovulation when present in high amounts.
Think of it this way: your body is smart and prioritizes survival over reproduction. So, when it senses danger (even if that "danger" is just a tough week at work or an argument with a friend), it diverts energy away from non-essential functions like your reproductive system. This can lead to irregular periods or even cause your period to go MIA for a while.
But don't worry, ladies—there are ways to help your nervous system chill out and get your period back on track. Practices like yoga and deep breathing are super effective in calming your nervous system. Yoga, with its gentle stretches and mindful movements, helps reduce stress and promotes relaxation. Deep breathing exercises can lower your cortisol levels and bring a sense of calm to your entire body.
5. "Why is My Period Not Coming?" Other Factors Contributing to it
Lastly, drastic weight changes, PCOS, thyroid issues, or medications could all answer the question, "Why is my period not coming?" Let's break it down, ladies. If you've recently lost or gained a significant amount of weight, your body might be like, "Whoa, what's happening here?" This can throw your hormones off balance and result in a late or missed period.
PCOS is another common culprit. It’s a condition where your ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, which are male hormones that women also have. This hormonal imbalance can lead to irregular periods, among other symptoms like acne and hair growth in places you'd rather not have it.
Thyroid issues, whether it's hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), can also mess with your menstrual cycle. Your thyroid gland, which is located in your neck, plays a huge role in regulating your body's metabolism and hormone production. When it's not functioning properly, it can lead to irregular periods.
And let's not forget about medications. Certain medications, such as birth control pills, antidepressants, and antipsychotics, can also affect your menstrual cycle. So if you’ve started a new medication and notice your period is acting up, it might be worth discussing with your doctor.
If you're struggling to understand why your period is not coming, it may be helpful to consult with a hormone health specialist. Remember, ladies, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Sometimes, getting that expert insight can make all the difference in understanding what’s going on with your body and getting your cycle back on track.
If you're tired of asking yourself, "Why is my period not coming?" and want to take control of your hormone health, my 1:1 high level Functional Nutrition coaching program can help! Hi, I’m Taryn Mattern and together, we’ll address the root causes of hormonal imbalances and create a personalized plan to support a balanced, regular cycle.
Click here to apply and take the first step toward a healthier, more predictable menstrual cycle. Don’t let the uncertainty of a late period hold you back—take charge of your hormone health today!
I'm Ashley, from Texas, USA. I had been in a relationship with a guy and we had unprotected sex for the first time and within a day i got a big bump on the crease of my thigh and vagina. After a few days it began to hurt more and more. I told him to take a picture of it for me, and it looked like open sores, like bugs were biting off my skin or something. So I went to the ER and they said genital herpes. I was soooo depressed. My boyfriend and I cried. He cried for me, but he had no idea he had it too. The next day, the same thing happens to him. At…