Missed your period? You can probably blame COVID-19

Cortisol, the stress hormone, can wreak havoc with menstrual cycles.

Jordan Heuvelmans 2 minute read April 19, 2020

Stress can impact menstrual cycles. Stock/Getty

COVID-19 having an  unprecedented impacts on our lives at the moment. Amid the physical, emotional and psychological impacts it’s having on our lives, it can also be having an impact on your menstrual cycle too.

The anxiety and stress of the pandemic is taking a toll on everyone, and it can affect your cycle in more ways than you think. Sarah Toler, a doctor of nursing health and science writer at female health app Clue, explained to Insider that stress activates a specific hormonal pathway which releases cortisol, also known as the stress hormone.

“Excess release of cortisol can suppress normal levels of reproductive hormones,” she said. “Potentially leading to abnormal ovulation, which can disrupt your cycle.” Toler added that amenorrhea, the absence of periods can happen whenever someone’s going through a traumatic event, while daily stress can also impact how long your cycle lasts. You could also experience other weird symptoms, like your PMS getting worse.

Speaking with Cosmo, Toler says that dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) has in the past been linked to working in jobs that are low control, are insecure or have low coworker support. So if working in a stressful work situation brings on increased period pain theoretically, so could other stressful situations. But you might not see the impact until later on.

“Stress from the preceding month may also affect the frequency of dysmenorrhea, so someone might not experience painful menstruation as a result of stress until their period the following month,” she said. However, she points that if you already have a history of dysmenorrhea, it’s likely that you’ll notice more painful cramps.

Overall, Toler said that it’s not likely the outbreak will impact your cycle, but it’s important to keep track of it if you are concerned. “Vitally, keep in mind that stress is most likely to be the culprit of any changes to your cycle that you notice, not the coronavirus itself,” she said.

If people are worried about their mental health, she advises that people take the time to practice self care and limit their news consumption to a few times a day. Turning to self care exercises such as meditation, stretching and mindfulness each day can help improve your mental health. In addition, checking in with loved ones are also great ways to help yourself, and others, stay connected while isolating.