Stress affecting period?

[snackmonster]

Has anyone had any experiences of stress impacting their periods? I've been quite unusually stressed this month (or perhaps anxiety would be a better description of it). For the past 5 days I've had light brown discharge (from about 4 days before AF was due). It's not unusual for my periods to begin with some brown blood, but I would normally only experience this for 2 days before I get bright red blood and period pains. I just wonder if anyone else has experienced stress causing a their period to be late/or specifically having light brown blood for multiple days? Obviously not expecting anyone to provide me with medical advice, just thought it would be nice to see if someone relates! TIA :)

[Ludo19]

I can definitely relate. That happens to me but I did get checked out too to be on the safe side. Plus even if I'm not due, my period starts when I fly......I'm a real weirdo 🙄

[snackmonster]

@Ludo19 that's so funny! I wonder why flying causes your period to come on.
My friend also had spotting instead of her period during a month she was particularly stressed - her period never actually arrived that month. I will definitely see a GP about it if it doesn't arrive as it is unusual for me. I just don't understand what's going on in my body!

[MissSomethingOrOther]

I track my period via an app, and looking back over the time dealing with a parents illness and bereavement, my periods were all over the place. At the time I thought I was coping well and not stressed, given the situation. Post bereavement I had a period every two weeks for a short while. Then things sort of balanced out and they went back to normal. I think periods are surprisingly sensitive.

[MaMaD1990]

Yes, this happened to me for a few months before we finally moved house last year. Periods were much closer together and I was also getting terrible stomach cramps to the point of passing out. When we moved house it magically disappeared. Stress does all sorts of weird things to you.

[snackmonster]

@MissSomethingOrOther so sorry to hear that. But yes sounds like periods are easily affected by things going on in our lives! I had no idea they could be that sensitive. This is really the first time I've experienced stress + my natural cycle. I was on the pill for a long time then the last two years I've been off the pill and having really regular periods. But this month I've been in the process of moving house + work + setting up a small business + some financial worries on top of that. I guess my hormones have gone crazy. (My eyelid is literally twitching as I type this, how weird! Lack of sleep maybe playing a part too!)

[snackmonster]

@MaMaD1990 I'm also in the process of moving house which is what I think is causing this - having to sort out furniture etc! Stomach cramps sounds really unpleasant, poor you! Luckily I haven't experienced any cramps yet but the first day of my period is normally quite painful.

[MissSomethingOrOther]

[quote snackmonster]@MissSomethingOrOther so sorry to hear that. But yes sounds like periods are easily affected by things going on in our lives! I had no idea they could be that sensitive. This is really the first time I've experienced stress + my natural cycle. I was on the pill for a long time then the last two years I've been off the pill and having really regular periods. But this month I've been in the process of moving house + work + setting up a small business + some financial worries on top of that. I guess my hormones have gone crazy. (My eyelid is literally twitching as I type this, how weird! Lack of sleep maybe playing a part too!)[/quote]
Thanks, it was a little while ago now and everything is back to normal. It did surprise me how sensitive periods seemed to be.

All your stress sounds like the ideal combination to affect a natural cycle. Individually each item might be fine, but everything at once is just too much. And I think the eye twitch confirms that! Take some time out each day, if you can squeeze it in, to chill completely. Even if it's a quick 20 mins here and there.

[snackmonster]

@MissSomethingOrOther thanks, yes I'm going to make sure that I don't stress out as much from now on, try and get some perspective and not get too overwhelmed by things! I think once I've moved that will help. Perhaps doing some mediation too.

[Skyliner001]

1,000,000% yes, I completely empathise I have experienced them stopping completely for three months, I've experienced having a heavy one, and then having one two weeks later, and then nothing for six weeks and then one.

And I have experienced random changes in length of cycle, all that tie in with when I've been stressed. I think that we underestimate the impact that stress has on their body. Sending you so much empathy though, this post means a lot to me, as I always worry.

When I spoke to the doctor about it, she said that stress has a massive impact, but also things like travel, and working hours.

[snackmonster]

Oh I'm sorry to hear that @Skyliner001, yes it really seems to mess up your cycle! My cycle has been so odd, never really had one like it. My period did end up arriving so I think all the spotting was actually my period trying to start - but basically have had a 12 day long period in that case. I think it absolutely must be stress. Is it work that gets you stressed?

[Skyliner001]

I have really severe health anxiety, and so that causes me a lot of stress, and you can imagine how everything feeds back into it! My period is not here yet so I don't know if the spotting was related to my ovulation, I think I may actually have had a delayed ovulation. The trials of being a woman!

[snackmonster]

@Skyliner001 I've experienced health anxiety before too - it's horrible. Oh yes being a woman is so much fun!