Why does worrying about your period delay it

Excessive worrying can put the digestive system into overdrive, causing stress symptoms like diarrhea, frequent urination , and abdominal pain ; the pulmonary system may respond with rapid breathing. The female reproductive system can be affected, too.

In fact, for some women, stress may play a role in causing irregular or missed periods. Pregnancy, cysts, tumors, hormone deficiencies , and factors other than stress can cause more than one missed period. Not much is known about the relationship between stress and periods. However, stress certainly plays a role in suppressing the functioning of the hypothalamus, which controls the pituitary gland — the body's master gland — which, in turn, controls the thyroid and adrenal glands and the ovaries; they all work together to manage hormones.

Ovarian dysfunction may lead to problems with estrogen production, ovulation, or other reproductive processes. Estrogen is an important hormone that helps build the uterine lining and prepares the body for pregnancy.

The good news is that once your stress passes, your period should go back to normal. Like stress, depression can also have an effect on hormones. Depression is one of the factors that can lead to amenorrhea, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The two conditions are often linked — people with chronic stress in their life have a higher risk of developing depression, notes the Mayo Clinic. This can delay your period or skip it entirely. Plus, people experiencing depression often shift their eating habits and experience a loss of appetite. Not eating sufficiently, and having a low body weight, are potential causes of amenorrhea, per the U. Department of Health and Human Services. If your period is irregular — or doesn't occur at all — for more than three months, you should talk to your gynecologist, Livingston says.

World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Women's Health. Primary Care. How long can stress delay your period? Like, can it stop my period completely? Can stress cause spotting? What are some possible other reasons behind my irregular period?

What are some common late period causes besides stress? Related articles:. All Your Period Questions, Answered Get answers to your period questions around menstrual cycle duration, symptoms, discomfort, and more. Stress can lead to irregular periods and changes to your menstrual cycle. This can include delayed or missed periods.