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Apart from pregnancy and menopause, both of which are normal periods for a woman to miss her period, the following are reasons that lead to a woman missing her period.
1. Stress
Normally, when the body encounters something frightening or stressful, it conserves a lot of energy to direct it towards facing the challenge ahead. So, whenever you are stressed, the functioning of other body activities decreases and weakens, including egg maturation.
When the hormone estrogen is produced in small amounts, along with other hormones such as LH and FSH, the lining that sheds every month along with the egg is not built, leading to a missed period.
Why does the body slow down egg maturation during stress?
The body recognizes that it is in a dangerous period and needs to fight to survive the impending danger. Therefore, life is a priority before other matters, including menstruation. The body will produce stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline in abundance to prepare you to fight or flee the danger in front of you.
Think about when you walk at night and see something unusual in front of you; observe how your body changes. The hormonal changes when encountering a dangerous situation are similar to those when you experience stress. The more stress affects you, the more it disrupts your body's routine and leads to a missed period.
2. Poor Diet
A poor diet lacking in nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, and high in sugar and flavor-enhancing compounds, can cause the adrenal and thyroid glands to overwork. This action leads to the production of cortisol, a hormone that reduces the production of reproductive hormones.
When cortisol is excessive, it can also cause harm to the body, such as weakening bones, damaging the skin, and weakening brain tissues and muscles. Therefore, this cycle, when repeated, worsens the body's condition each time.
3. Excessive Weight Loss
To measure your weight for health purposes, we use the Body Mass Index (BMI), a measure used to assess the ratio of your weight to your height. BMI = Your weight in kg divided by (height in meters x 2). A BMI ranging from 18.5 to 25 indicates that your weight is healthy. If you get more than 25, it means you are overweight, and if you get less than 18.5, it means you are underweight.
Body fat stimulates the production of the estrogen hormone in women, which is why very slim women often miss their periods. Intense exercise increases the body's need for nutrients, causing weight loss and hormonal disruption.
4. Excessive Exercise
Exercise is essential for the body to counteract the effects of stress, regulate blood pressure, ensure good sleep, and maintain a healthy weight. However, excessive exercise tires the body, leading to increased cortisol production, which inhibits the production of reproductive hormones. Therefore, make sure you exercise three times a week, and the exercises should not be overly strenuous, leaving you exhausted.
5. Thyroid Gland Issues
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck below the voice box. Its main function is to produce hormones (T3) and (T4), which collectively regulate blood circulation and various body functions. Issues with the thyroid gland, such as reduced hormone production or excessive gland activity, can also cause changes in estrogen and cortisol levels. When cortisol levels in the blood are high, it reduces the thyroid gland's ability, resulting in decreased body functions such as egg maturation and the production of female hormones.
6. Use of Birth Control Pills
Some women miss their periods for a long time after stopping the use of contraceptive pills. Although doctors advise that the situation will normalize after stopping the pills, for some women, the condition remains problematic because the pills have already disrupted the hormones. Normally, the menstrual cycle has a period of fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone, but contraceptive pills keep estrogen high all the time, tricking the body into thinking it is pregnant and causing a complete absence of periods. It takes months or even years for the body to return to its normal state.
7. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic means an abundance of cysts, and a cyst is a fluid-filled structure surrounded by a thin, smooth membrane. In women, these numerous mature follicles that fail to release eggs are compared to cysts. When a woman with PCOS experiences this each month and accumulates various symptoms such as excessive weight and abdominal fat, increased blood sugar, acne, excessive hair growth, and irregular periods, it is referred to as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Women with PCOS often miss their periods due to hormonal disruptions.
8. Food Allergies
The body's inability to process certain foods such as wheat and dairy or having allergies to certain foods can cause the body to lack essential nutrients, leading to the development of chronic diseases.